Homemade Peppermint Bark is a holiday-season staple in our house.

Back in the day it was from Costco or even better - Williams-Sonoma… Until one day I realized how ridiculously easy it would be to make at home and we haven’t gone back to store-bought since!

But… since it’s a teeny-bit early for peppermint bark around here (although I do realize how silly that sounds, since I have been enjoying my eggnog treats for a few weeks now!), I decided to make something a bit more fall-ish to satisfy my bark-craving!

White chocolate, of course, because the Hubs loves white chocolate.

Dried cranberries & orange zest, because I love those…

And roasted pistachios because… well, because I had some in my cupboard and it sounded like a good combo!

All-in-all, I’d say this one is a winner! Definitely pretty and a fun treat to serve guests… this will for sure be on our Thanksgiving table this year!

White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Pistachio Bark Recipe
adapted from brown eyed baker

Ingredients:
3 cups good-quality white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup pistachios (shells off, of course!)

Directions:
Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring well every 30 seconds, until smooth.

Stir in the zest, and pour out onto a foil-lined baking sheet, spreading to about 1/4″ thick.

Sprinkle evenly with cranberries, cherries - if using & pistachios and refrigerate for a few hours until completely firm.

Peel off the foil and break into chunks. Store in Tupperware in the fridge!

If you like ice cream… you must try this recipe! There is nothing like homemade hot fudge sauce.

The stuff you buy at the store just doesn’t even compare. Really.

I am testing out this recipe for another Homemade Christmas Gift idea! I just love giving gifts in jars… I think they are so sweet tied with a cute little ribbon and tag!

I’m planning on using some red ribbon for this one and tying on a few candy canes. I’ll update with a new picture when I get around to that part of it!!

Do you make your own Homemade Christmas Gifts? What do you make?

Homemade Peppermint Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients:
4oz unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
6 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon peppermint extract or vanilla extract

Directions:
Carefully melt the chocolate and butter together in the microwave, stirring well every 20 seconds until melted.

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the melted butter & chocolate mixture. Add in the sugar & corn syrup and stir until smooth.

Turn the heat up & stir the mixture until it comes to a boil. Adjust the heat to keep it just at the boiling point and allow to boil for 9 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Let cool for 15 minutes before adding the flavoring of your choice (if you want to use spirits… use 1 tablespoon! Coffee liqueur, rum or peppermint schnapps would be lovely in this!!).

Serve warm or pour into a jar to store in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave and stir well before serving!