Peppermint Bark Trifle Recipes

Steps:

• Spread 1/3 of the peppermint candy over a 9x13-inch baking pan lined with wax paper.
• Melt the milk chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, just until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over peppermint candy in the prepared pan. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the candy on top of the milk chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes.
• Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Stir in the oil-based peppermint flavoring. Pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate, then spread the remaining 1/3 peppermint candy on top.
• Refrigerate until the white chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Cut or break into pieces to serve.

Steps:

• For the chocolate cake: Prepare and bake the cake according to the package directions for a 9-by-13-inch pan. When completely cool, invert the cake onto a large cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the cake into 1-inch cubes. Set aside for assembling.
• For the chocolate bark: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chopped white chocolate and milk chocolate in separate small microwave-safe bowls. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until both are completely smooth, about 1 minute. Dollop both chocolates in the center of the prepared baking sheet, then swirl together with a skewer or small offset spatula (the bark should be about 1/4 inch thick). Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies. Transfer to the refrigerator to harden, about 15 minutes. Break the bark into large pieces or cut into tree shapes with a cookie cutter. Store in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
• For the whipped white chocolate-mocha ganache: Heat the heavy cream and instant espresso powder in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering, about 2 minutes. Put the chopped white chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl, then pour the hot cream over. Let sit for about 5 minutes, then stir with a rubber spatula until melted and smooth. Transfer to the refrigerator until cool to the touch but not set, 15 to 20 minutes (it will thicken but not become completely solid). Once cool, whip with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until lightened in texture and color (it will hold soft peaks), about 2 minutes. (Do not overmix. The ganache will become grainy or break if too much air is incorporated.) Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
• For the milk chocolate-peppermint ganache: Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering, about 2 minutes. Put the chopped milk chocolate and peppermint extract in a medium bowl, then pour the hot cream over. Let sit for about 5 minutes, then stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. Set aside at room temperature until thickened and pipeable, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a large piping bag and snip off the end.
• To assemble the trifle, layer about 1/4 of the cake cubes in the bottom of a trifle dish. Pipe a thin layer of peppermint ganache around the perimeter of the dish, and another squiggle in the center. Pipe small dollops of the white chocolate ganache around the perimeter, then sprinkle all over with about 1/4 of the crushed cookies and 1/4 of the crushed peppermint candies. Repeat until there are 4 layers total, topping the trifle with rosettes of the remaining white chocolate ganache. Sprinkle the remaining cookies and peppermint candy on top, then insert the chocolate bark.
• Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours. Use a long-handled serving spoon to scoop.

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, milk and extract until smooth. Fold in whipped cream; set aside., Place a third of the cake in a 3- or 4-qt. trifle dish or serving bowl. Top with a third of each of the cream cheese mixture, crushed peppermint and peppermint bark. Repeat layers twice; garnish with additional bark. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with parchment; set aside. , In a double boiler or metal bowl over hot water, melt baking chips until 2/3 are melted. Remove from heat; stir in peppermint oil until smooth. Spread into prepared pan. Melt dark chocolate chips in another bowl. Drizzle over top of white layer; cut through mixtures with a knife to swirl. Sprinkle with peppermint candies (pan will not be full). Refrigerate until firm, 15-20 minutes. Break or cut into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• With a pencil and ruler, measure out and mark a 9 by 13-inch (23 by 33 cm) rectangle on a piece of parchment paper large enough to fit in a sheet pan. Flip the paper over (so the pencil marks are on the bottom), and then place the paper on a sheet pan.
• Place the bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set it over a saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water). Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove the chocolate from the heat and pour it onto the rectangle on the parchment. Using an offset spatula, spread the chocolate to fill in the rectangle. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
• While the chocolate is setting, in the same bowl you used to melt the bittersweet chocolate, combine the semisweet chocolate, cream, and peppermint extract. Warm it over the barely simmering water, stirring frequently, until the mixture is just melted and smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and let the mixture cool until it is room temperature, about 15 minutes. Remove the sheet pan from the refrigerator and pour the semisweet chocolate mixture over the chilled chocolate rectangle. Using an offset spatula, spread the semisweet chocolate in an even layer, then chill until very cold and firm, about 1 hour.
• In a clean bowl, warm the white chocolate over barely simmering water until the chocolate is smooth. Working quickly, pour the white chocolate over the firm semisweet layer, using a clean offset spatula to spread it to cover. Sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Chill in the refrigerator just until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the parchment paper from the sheet pan to a large cutting board. Trim away any uneven edges of the bark so the sides are straight. Cut the bark into 2 by 9-inch (5 by 23 cm) wide strips, then cut the strips into squares or triangles.
• Let the bark stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. Store in an airtight container, layering sheets of wax paper or parchment paper between the layers so the pieces don't stick to one another, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.