BULK CHOCOLATE FOR CANDY MAKING RECIPES

Steps:

• Grease an 8 x 8 inch square pan.
• In a heavy 4 quart saucepan melt butter over medium heat; add brown sugar, corn syrup and milk. Stirring constantly, heat to 242 to 248 degrees F (116 to 120 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm but pliable ball. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour into prepared pan.
• When caramel has cooled and set, cut into 1 inch squares. Chill in refrigerator until firm.
• Melt chocolate with 1 tablespoon butter in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl in the microwave. Stir until smooth.
• Dip caramel squares in chocolate and place on wax paper to cool.

Steps:

• Crush the candy canes (if they aren’t already crushed). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the milk (or dark) chocolate in a heat-safe bowl in the microwave using 30-40 second intervals, stirring after each one. Two or three rounds in the microwave should be sufficient. Spread the chocolate out on the parchment in a thin, even layer. Using a large, offset spatula works well, if you have one. Put the pan in a cool place for about 10 minutes or until the chocolate is completely firm, either in the refrigerator or outside, if it’s chilly. Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate the same way, using 30-40 second intervals and stirring after each. Stir in the peppermint essential oil.
  Spread the white chocolate over the milk chocolate quickly and then sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the top. You’ll want to do these steps quickly because the cooled milk chocolate will make the white chocolate firm up quickly. You’ll want the white chocolate wet when you put the crushed candy canes on it so they’ll stick better. Let the white chocolate firm up completely (you can put the pan back in the fridge if you like) and then break it up into big pieces. The bark is ready to eat immediately or you can package it up to give away. Store it in a covered container and keep it away from heat.