Think Outside the Box... and INSIDE the Cookie Cutter!

When December rolls around each year I don't try and kid myself into thinking my inner Martha Stewart will come shining through... Last year I had an epic cookie fail and wound up with chocolate dipped shortbread cookies that looked like toes, and this year I kicked the holiday season off with a whipped cream fail.  Did I ever even mention the time I accidentally made brownies into soup?  From here on out, I'm sticking to what I know: Peppermint bark.

I can't quite "wing it" with baking but I can certainly rig up my own double broiler to melt chocolate in.  I'll take success where I can get it =)

glass bowl + small saucepan = a match made in candy-making heaven!

To make 5 cookie cutter barks you'll need approximately 8 ounces of white chocolate and 8 ounces of dark.  Plus lots of crushed candy canes, which we've already determined is it's own food group for the month of December.  Don't mess with the facts =)

For the chocolate:  Bring a small pot or saucepan of water to a light boil and top with a glass pyrex bowl.  Remove from heat and add chocolate, stirring constantly.  In a few minutes you'll have hot melty goodness ready to add to your cookie cutters.  You can pick up your chocolates anywhere from craft stores to chocolatiers but keep in mind that quality is everything.  I'm super partial to Merckens brand chocolate which can be purchased online or in dangerously delicious candy-centric stores.

Or you can forego that entire ordeal and  melt the chocolate in your crockpot!

Get your bark on! Prep your workspace by laying down a sheet of wax or parchment paper so that the chocolate won't stick.  Arrange your cookie cutters on the paper and spoon melted dark chocolate into each shape.  A few spoonfuls for each should fill each about half-way.  Tapping your spoon in the center of the shape will help distribute it evenly.  Next add a little sprinkle of crushed candy cane or peppermint chips and allow candy to cool.  While you wait for your dark chocolate to harden, rinse your glass bowl with hot water and allow it to dry.  Water jacks up the candy-making process so don't skip this step.  Same goes for the white chocolate, if you rush into the next step you're going to have a hot mess on your hands.  Heck yes I'm talking from experience! =)

Once the dark chocolate is solid, move on to the white chocolate layer.  Spoon it to fill the cookie cutters and tap gently on your counter-top to distribute the chocolate evenly.  Top with more crushed peppermint and allow to cool.  Viola!  You totally just made candy!

I can't take credit for the brilliance of this idea b/c it totally came to me when I saw this kit in a craft store.  I didn't really need the kit [I have boatloads of chocolate melts that my peppermint-bark-partner-in-crime mom sends me each year] but I looooved the shape of the snowflakes that came in it!  Essentially all you'll need to recreate this are some chocolate melts, some candy canes [or peppermint chip sprinkles!] and a few cookie cutters.  Trees... Snowflakes... Ninjas... anything goes.

PS: Will someone make me a ninja one? or maybe a dinosaur?

 What's your favorite thing to make during the holidays?

Update You won't need any non-stick spray, just a sheet of wax/parchment paper!  Gift your peppermint bark inside the cookie cutter and then instruct your friends/family to slam the cookie cutter down on the counter and pop it out with their thumb.  It comes right out! <3  They can rinse the cookie cutter with warm soapy water to clean it and keep it!  Hang the cookie cutter on your tree with pretty ribbon, use for cookies, or cut fun shapes in bead to make festive sandwiches! <3