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You are here: Home / Dessert / SNOWED IN

SNOWED IN

January 15, 2017

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Anyone who’s lives here in Portland will tell you how unusual the weather has been here.

We rarely see snow at this elevation; some years we see a slight dusting and occasionally we get a few inches.

But what we saw this past week is something Portland hasn’t had in decades — a foot of snow.

Grant Park, Portland, Snowstorm

And because we’re not really prepared for that kind of thing, schools were closed for all but a day this week and the streets were largely empty but for the random sledders on foot or the occasional lone snow-shoer.

Everything looks so beautiful tinged in white.

Snowy Tree at Grant Park, Portland

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I love the way the neighborhood pool looks under its thick blanket of snow.

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Having grown up in Connecticut, I’ve missed wintry weather and have enjoyed hunkering down with the family and enjoying the magical luminescent world around us.

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We went to the park almost every day, to stretch our legs, do some sledding, and make some snow angels.

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I’d bring a small bag of drinks and back up gloves, and listen to the hoots and hollers of sledding kids.

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Even Bailey loved it; it’s like the cold weather refreshed him and his creaky limbs were looser, more relaxed, and he romped in the snow like a puppy.

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Happy dog, happy Mom.

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And I loved coming home each afternoon after the park and enjoying a small treat with the kids.

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Sometimes we’d have hot apple cider, and sometimes we’d go the hot chocolate route (made richer with the last of the advent calendar chocolates).

Hot Chocolate Party

And occasionally, something a little more special.

Like White Chocolate Peppermint Bark.

I have a friend who makes me a batch every Christmas and it’s always gone within days.

Mairi's Homemade Peppermint Bark

With so many hours inside this past week I cleaned out my pantry and in doing so,  I stumbled upon the last of the candies from our gingerbread house decorating.

Gingerbread House

Those leftover peppermint candies had me thinking — why not whip a batch of my own?

Sometimes I forget how easy bark is to make at home.

I make dark chocolate bark several times a year — and love it.

Easiest Homemade Food Gifts, Chocolate Bark

White Chocolate Bark is not usually on my radar, though. Why?

Make is such an overblown, exaggerated word for what we’re talking about here; when nuts aren’t involved, it’s basically just an exercise in melting.

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I started with white chocolate chips, a splash of cream and peppermint oil and melted that in a double burner until smooth and creamy.

Also in my pantry clean-up were some paper sticks I hadn’t used in ages, and I thought I’d try to use these to make some lollypops, too.

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Lollypops

I formed them in a cake pop pan I was given (but rarely use) and they cooled and hardened outside within the hour.

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I dropped off a round to a bunch of neighborhood kids sledding, and saved the last for afternoon snacking these last couple days.

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Don’t they look so pretty when they sport ground peppermints on their glossy exterior?

Some of the bark I’d formed into oversized rounds, using a cookie cutter to shape them.

They were a touch too big and too rich to eat all in one sitting, but true champs don’t let that small fact stop them.

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

They look like shortbread but taste like the creamiest, most velvetty truffle-like confection — just the thing to enjoy on a snowy afternoon– or evening at home.

Front Porch in the Snow, PortlandSo Happy Snow Days to all of you– wherever you are.

Filed Under: Dessert, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Amy Baskin says

    January 15, 2017 at 11:02 pm

    Wonderful encapsulation of this gorgeous, crystalline week, Sarah!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 16, 2017 at 1:57 am

      Thanks, Ames. It’s been forever!

      Reply
  2. Cindy says

    January 15, 2017 at 11:43 pm

    I so love this! The pictures of your family are precious. Your dog looks like she is loving the snow! The delish eats are just “icing” on the day…. these look super tasty. ( I so enjoy your blog—- and your recipes always work– thank-you). Happy New Year!!!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 16, 2017 at 2:02 am

      Cindy, thanks for all the kind words! I so appreciate you chiming in… and glad to know the recipes are working for you:) Are you a Portlander? I have lots more pics on Instagram– and I’d love to check your feed too if you have one!

      Reply
  3. Tia says

    January 16, 2017 at 6:44 am

    This snowy weather has been utterly magical. Glad to see you’re enjoying it. And how will it ever all melt away? We are on snow day eight out in Hillsboro-only three of the snow days were REAL. Thank goodness for those. I’m secretly happy the snow hasn’t really gone anywhere, even after being a bit cooped up it has been glorious. Our street is still super iced over. Not sure how any bus is picking up anyone in two days…….

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 17, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      I hear you, Tia! We’re getting a little cabin fever-ish but that makes it the perfect time to crack open an old cookbook and make something new. Resolutions, shmesolutions. Be safe out there!

      Reply
  4. Connie says

    January 16, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    Beautiful – I want to be there! We’re in southern California, so will drive to the snow next weekend; I’m betting our golden retriever, Crispin, will enjoy the snow as much as Bailey clearly does.

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 17, 2017 at 5:11 pm

      Dogs and snow are a winning combination. And I love your dogs name! Have fun — Big Bear?

      Reply
      • Connie says

        January 21, 2017 at 5:45 am

        Yes – Big Bear! Oh, and I enjoyed your post on the restaurant Lemonade a while back. Believe it or not, I was only recently introduced to it by a co-worker – I really love that place!

        Reply
  5. Leonardo Gambardella says

    January 16, 2017 at 11:02 pm

    Oh! that bark! A fix for a nut lover with a sweet tooth.

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 17, 2017 at 5:11 pm

      Hey Leonardo! If you go ahead and make it, I’d love to hear what you think! Thanks for chiming in 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jim Kennedy says

    January 21, 2017 at 5:54 am

    Sarah, I loved the winter pictures of Portland, your house, Bailey and your winter frolics, Traveling through the winter wonderland with you and your camera was wonderful. Thank you!

    Love,

    Addictive

    Reply

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