Thanks to today’s guest blogger, Michelle Sybert from Muffin Tin Mom, who is the host of Muffin Tin Monday, a creative call to parents to come up with meals served in muffin tins. If you haven’t tried it, you should! It’s a fun way to get your kids to enjoy their meals. I love this creative twist on one of my favorite holiday treats, Peppermint Bark. Hey, I bet you could also use these ice cube molds to serve muffin tin-style meals! -Heather
Peppermint bark is one of my favorite holiday treats to make. It requires very few ingredients and preparation, but delivers big on taste. So, when I saw our local Dollar Store had ice cube molds in the shape of Christmas trees, I knew I could give this classic treat a little creative kick.
You’ll need:
- 1 Christmas Tree Shaped Ice Cube Mold, $1
- 1 Bag Peppermint Candies, $1
- 1 Bag Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips, $1 and up
- 1 Package White Chocolate/Almond Bark, about $2.50
- 2 glass bowls for mixing and heating
- Various spoons for stirring.
- 1 small butter knife or child-sized knife
Total: $5.50 and up
Here’s How:
1. Unwrap the peppermint candies (as many as you think you will need) and place them in a plastic bag. Using the heavy end of a screwdriver or dinner knife, crush the candies into little bits.
2. Place several bits of the crushed candies in the bottom of each tree mold, enough to cover the bottom.
3. Heat the WHITE chocolate bark in a bowl for 30 second intervals, stirring as you go along. I melted about 1/3 of package a time. It’s easier to work with.
4. Once it is melted, use a small knife or spoon to cover the candies with the melted chocolate. Leave room for the layer of brown chips.
5. Place in fridge to allow to set for 15 minutes or more.
6. While White Chocolate is setting, melt the semi sweet chocolate in the same way as the white.
7. Remove tree mold from fridge.
8. Spoon melted BROWN chocolate over hardened white chocolate.
9. Place in fridge again to set.
10. After 15-20 minutes, remove from fridge and gently peel the silicone mold away from the candy.
Ingredients purchased should make enough for 20-25 pieces.
There you have it! Homemade Peppermint Bark
Tips and Tricks:
**I definitely recommend layering the candy in the order mentioned above: Crushed Peppermint, White Bark, Semi Sweet Chips. Other variations, like trying the semi sweet chips first, did not produce the same result.
**Let the final layer set extra long if you can. It will make peeling the treat from the silicone that much easier.
**If you want to make more at one time, invest in 2 or more ice cube molds
**You can use only the white or semi sweet chocolate if you choose. I think adding both adds a bit of interest.
Michelle Sybert
Muffin Tin Mom
Muffin Tin Mom
17 Comments
K-Sue
These are pretty, and I saw those molds at out Dollar Store. I think I’ll stop by and grab some. Thanks for sharing.
Sondra
OMG! this is a great idea! I’m so doing it this year.
Monica
What a great idea! This would be perfect for office gifts and even stocking stuffers. Off to Dollar Tree!
katie
Oooh I haven’t seen these molds! I will have to look!
Vone
Yummy – I need to check out the dollar store to see what there is.
Nicole
This is awesome! I’m definitely going to have to try this out as Christmas gifts!
K-Sue
Just made some of these tonight, and they turned out very pretty. Thanks again.
Kathryn
Looks festive and yummy.
rowena___.
oh this is just the kind of thing i’ve been looking for! we will be making these this weekend. thank you!!!
Danielle
I saw this post and had to try this for our Christmas goodies this year. Our Dollar Tree had these, so I grabbed one. They also have snowmen, but I definitely think the trees are cuter.
Looking forward to making these!
Jen D
As a broke college student, I’ve been looking for creative, inexpensive goodies to make for my friends. This is perfect! Thank you!
jenjen
What a great idea. And such a good idea for neighbor gifts. Love it!
XOOX
Jen
Amy Anderson
TOTALLY making this for gifts this year! Thanks for the great idea. I can’t wait to taste one, myself!
Michelle, Muffin Tin Mom
It’s 2010 and I saw these same molds at the Dollar Tree this year! woo-hoo! Thinking about investin in another set to make these again. They turned out so great.
Nia Bennison
Super cute Idea!!! Did you have to spray the trees with Pam or anything first? They popped right out?