I love saving money, and one of the best ways I've found to do this is by making things from scratch when you can. Even seasonal treats!
With this recipe you can have all the peppermint bark you want without taking a huge chunk out of your wallet!
On a whim I decided to try and make my own peppermint bark last week, and much to my delight, I found that it tasted exactly like it's much more expensive counterpart!
I even made it for a large group of friends and they agreed. In fact, there wasn't a single speck of the stuff left in the house once the group left.
William Sonoma Inspired Peppermint Bark Recipe
Now, maybe you haven't seen the cost of this peppermint bark before, so let me show you...
Holy cow! Last year it was only $19.95... talk about inflation! They do have it on sale right now, but no matter how much they lower the price, you can make it for WAY less.
Instead of the $28.95 that William Sonoma retails their peppermint bark for, this version made 3x as much peppermint bark for only $8.05! That's like paying just $2.68 a box!
Which is a 91% savings!! This one recipe makes $87 worth of peppermint bark for $8!!
Even with the sale price, you still save 88%!
Price break down
1 bag Guittard dark chocolate chips - $2.88
1 bag Ghiradelli white chocolate chips - $2.68
1 bag Peppermints - $1.50
13 drops of Peppermint essential oil - $0.99
___________
Homemade version= $8.05
A note on quality ingredients: One of the reasons this recipe is as good as the original is because I believe in quality ingredients. If you get the cheapest version of the necessary items, it will taste cheap.
This recipe is already a huge savings, so go ahead and buy the good chocolate for this one! I use Guittard dark chocolate chips and Ghirardelli white chocolate chips, and Young Living peppermint essential oil (their vitality line of oils are FDA approved for internal use).
NOTE: Most other brands of essential oils are not safe for consumption due to how they are processed. When in doubt, opt for peppermint extract instead.
Any way you look at it, this recipe is an absolute knock out! It only takes a few minutes of effort and you save BIG by doing it yourself.
While I adore the original, I can say with great certainty that I will never buy it again! We usually get a box from my in-laws to enjoy during the days right around Christmas, but with 5-10 people around at any time, it doesn't last long... this year that won't be a problem!
Since the William Sonoma version comes in a cute little tin I have taken to saving them when we receive the bark as a gift... that came in handy this year for sure! Maybe you have one too. Make this recipe, break it up and put it in the William Sonoma tin! No one will be the wiser ;-)
Enjoy and Merry Christmas friends!
William Sonoma COPYCAT Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 1 bag Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1 bag White Chocolate Chips
- 1 bag Peppermints or Candy Canes crushed
- 13 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- OR
- 1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract
Instructions
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler (or the microwave). Pour onto lined baking trays and spread evenly until about 1/4 inch thick.
- Place chocolate into the refrigerator and allow to set until hard.
- Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler (or the microwave).
- Add peppermint (oil or extract) and mix quickly.
- Pour over dark chocolate and spread evenly until dark chocolate is covered.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermints over melted white chocolate. Gently press candy into chocolate to help it stay put when broken later.
- Place bark back in the fridge and allow to set completely.
- Once chocolate is set, break into bite size pieces and store in an air tight container for up to a week.
Jennifer says
How many ounces are in each bag? And is it the 63% cacao kind? Semi sweet?Also what is the difference if any between Ghirradelli dark chocolate? And the difference between bittersweet and semi-sweet in baking and which is better for this recipe?
Thank you for your patience with me as I am a little under-educated as far as baking goes :)