Pretzel Peppermint Bark

We all know that making desserts is definitely not a favorite pastime of mine. While I might enjoy eating sweet treats every now and then, they are not often made in my own kitchen. Every now and then, though, the urge to create something decadent pops up, and the holiday season is definitely a catalyst.

With salty and sweet on the brain this weekend, I took a little bit of time to make a very simple, three-ingredient dessert that would be a perfect hostess gift, snack at an office party, or just something nice to crunch on around the house.

The ingredients:

eight peppermint candy canes, crushed into rough pieces

three cups mini pretzels, crushed into pieces

16 ounces of white chocolate chips

The toughest part of this entire recipe was melting the white chocolate, which I did over a makeshift double boiler, making sure not to splash any water into the chocolate. I  added a small pat of butter to the melted chocolate to make it smoother. I always do this, and it turns out fine, but afterward, I read that you are not supposed to use butter because it contains water. Oops.

Once the chocolate was melted, I mixed the pretzels, chocolate, and half of the candy canes and smoothed it out on to some wax paper, topping it with more candy cane for a festive red and white look. Once everything was cool, I broke the bark into pieces and stored in an airtight container, making sure to grab a few bites. It’s delicious, combining some of my favorite seasonal flavors, and it took no time at all. If you find yourself needing to make something yummy and fast this holiday season, look no further.

I spent the entire afternoon cooking dinners and lunches for the week while listening to Christmas music, and at the very end of the day, we decorated our little tree. We used to buy a full-sized tree but found it to be kind of a pain, especially since we often travel for and after Christmas. This little guy is just perfect. It’s kind of amazing how much spirit and light a little decoration can add to the atmosphere of a home. We’re a lucky little family.

Here’s to a great week for everyone! I am hoping the joy and kindness of the holiday season spills over into every aspect of your days. And if you are celebrating, Happy Hanukah!

Have you done any holiday decorating or cooking this week?