Homemade Gifts

Logan made a nice santa card and peppermint bark for his preschool teacher. I think personally its silly to buy a teacher a gift but I like the idea of making something homemade from the heart.


Peppermint Bark
DIRECTIONS:

LINE baking sheet with waxed paper.

MICROWAVE milk chocolate chips in medium, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70 percent) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

SPREAD to desired thickness on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm.

MICROWAVE white chocolate chips in medium, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70 percent) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

PLACE peppermint candies in heavy-duty plastic bag. Crush candies using rolling pin or other heavy object. While holding strainer over melted white chocolate, pour crushed candy into strainer. Shake to release all small candy pieces; reserve larger candy pieces. Stir morsel-peppermint mixture.

SPREAD white chocolate on top of prepared milk chocolate layer. Sprinkle with reserved candy pieces; press in lightly. Let stand for about 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

*For stronger peppermint flavor, add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract to white chocolate