Peppermint Bark Crackers Recipe

If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s both ridiculously easy and absolutely irresistible, you’ve got to try this Peppermint Bark Crackers Recipe. I’ve made it every Christmas for years, and honestly, it’s become my go-to gift and party snack because it’s crunchy, sweet, and bursting with festive peppermint goodness. You’ll find that it’s simple to put together, but folks always think you spent hours in the kitchen. Ready to whip up something your family and friends will rave about? Let’s dive in!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Peppermint Bark Crackers Recipe is how simple the ingredients list is, yet how well each component works together. Using snowflake-shaped Ritz crackers makes this extra festive, and opting for premium chocolates really takes it up a notch. Here’s what you’ll want to grab before you start.

• Snowflake Ritz Crackers: I love these because their shape adds to the holiday vibe and the salty crunch balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Salted Butter: This creates the luscious toffee base—don’t skip the salted kind, it adds just the right hint of saltiness.
• Light Brown Sugar: Packed tightly for sweetness and that caramel flavor in the toffee.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash enhances the depth in the toffee’s flavor.
• Chopped Dark Chocolate: I prefer 60% Ghirardelli because it melts beautifully and adds a rich, slightly bittersweet taste.
• Chopped White Chocolate: Lindt is my go-to; it makes the perfect creamy, sweet contrast to the dark chocolate layer.
• Peppermint Extract: Adds that iconic holiday peppermint punch—adjust how much you add based on your taste.
• Crushed Candy Canes: For garnish and extra peppermint crunch—choose quality candy canes so they don’t get soggy when sprinkled on.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Peppermint Bark Crackers Recipe is how flexible it is. I often experiment with little tweaks based on who I’m making it for or what’s in my pantry. Feel free to get creative and make it your own—you really can’t go wrong!

• Chocolate Varieties: I’ve made it with milk chocolate or even semi-sweet chocolate instead of dark to suit kiddos’ tastes, and it’s always a hit.
• Peppermint Intensity: If you’re a peppermint fanatic like me, bump up the peppermint extract or add more crushed candy canes on top for extra zing.
• Nuts or Sprinkles: For a fun twist, try sprinkling chopped nuts or festive holiday sprinkles along with the candy canes.
• Vegan/Dairy-Free: You can swap to vegan butter and dairy-free chocolates to make this work for limited diets—I’ve done that with great results.

How to Make Peppermint Bark Crackers Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Crackers

Start by lining a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with a silicone mat—if you don’t have one, foil works too, but spray it generously with non-stick spray to avoid sticky situations. Then, lay out your snowflake Ritz crackers in neat rows, fitting them snugly without overlapping. I like this step because it sets a solid, crunchy foundation for the toffee layer.

Step 2: Make the Buttery Toffee

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the salted butter, packed light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Bring this mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and then let it keep simmering for 5 minutes. Your goal here is a shiny, thick, bubbly toffee that’s perfectly rich—trust me, this step is what makes the crackers addictive. Don’t wander off though; once it starts simmering, keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

Step 3: Coat and Bake the Crackers

Pour your hot toffee right over the arranged crackers, then spread it evenly using an offset spatula. This ensures every cracker gets coated without breaking apart. Pop the whole pan into the oven set at 350°F and bake for 5 minutes. This lets the toffee begin setting while the crackers soak up that golden deliciousness.

Step 4: Add the Dark Chocolate Layer

Take the pan out, and sprinkle the chopped dark chocolate over the toffee-coated crackers. Return it to the oven for 3-5 minutes just until the chocolate melts into a glossy pool. Then spread the melted chocolate evenly across the crackers. This layer adds the deep chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with the minty top coat.

Step 5: Chill and Add the Peppermint White Chocolate

Pop the pan into the fridge for about 30 minutes to harden everything up. Meanwhile, melt your white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl by heating it in 30-second bursts and stirring in between. Once smooth, stir in peppermint extract (start with half a teaspoon, then add more if you want a stronger flavor). Pour this peppermint white chocolate over the hardened dark chocolate layer and spread quickly but gently. You’ll want to work fast so the white chocolate doesn’t melt into the dark layer—separating the flavors a bit is what makes this bark look so pretty and taste incredible.

Step 6: Garnish and Final Chill

While the white chocolate is still wet, sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top. This adds a festive crunch and more peppermint flavor. Then, pop the whole pan back into the fridge for another 30 minutes until everything is fully set and firm. Once chilled, break the bark into rustic pieces and you’re ready to serve!

How to Serve Peppermint Bark Crackers Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just crushed candy canes on top because I love that classic crunch and burst of peppermint. Sometimes, I’ll add a light dusting of edible glitter or tiny silver dragees if it’s a special occasion—makes it feel extra festive and pretty on a holiday dessert table.

Side Dishes

This bark pairs beautifully with hot drinks like peppermint hot chocolate, coffee with a hint of vanilla, or even mulled wine for adults. My family also loves dunking the bark in warm milk—kind of like treating it as a sweet, crunchy cookie.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting or parties, I’ll break the bark into various sizes and stack different shapes in clear cellophane bags tied with a red or green ribbon. Sometimes, I layer pieces in decorative tins with parchment paper so they stay crisp and look like a fancy treat box. It’s a little thing that makes a big impression!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

My family usually demolishes this quickly, but if you have leftovers, keep the bark in an airtight container or zipper bag in the fridge. It stays crispy and fresh for up to a week—the cold actually keeps the toffee and chocolate layers perfect.

Freezing

You can freeze leftovers by placing pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container. When I tried this, the texture stayed great after thawing them in the fridge overnight. Just avoid leaving them at room temp for too long after thawing to keep them crisp.

Reheating

I don’t usually reheat peppermint bark crackers because they’re best served chilled and crisp, but if you want to soften the toffee a bit before serving, I gently warm pieces in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds. Just be careful not to melt the chocolate layers completely.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Peppermint Bark Crackers Recipe comes together every single time—it’s like magic on a tray! It’s perfect for whipping up last-minute gifts or just treating yourself and your family to something sweet and special. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how a few simple ingredients could create such a crunchy, chocolatey, minty delight that everyone instantly fell in love with. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll be asked to bring it to every holiday party. So go ahead, try it out—you won’t regret it!

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