holiday foods

Holiday Chocolate Peppermint Bark is easy, delicious and makes a great holiday gift. Perfect for Christmas, Valentine&#x27;s Day, or any day of the year.

Peppermint Bark

white chocolate, chopped

bittersweet chocolate, chopped

box of peppermint candy canes (11-12 ounces)

pure peppermint extract* (divided)

shortening (divided)

Break up peppermint candy canes in a plastic...

Break up peppermint candy canes in a plastic bag, setting aside 1/4 of the pieces.

Line a sheet pan with wax paper and...

Line a sheet pan with wax paper and set aside.

Melt the bittersweet chocolate in microwave or on...

Melt the bittersweet chocolate in microwave or on stovetop using a double boiler until all pieces are smooth.

Once chocolate is melted, place 1/2 teaspoon of...

Once chocolate is melted, place 1/2 teaspoon of shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for a few seconds until melted. Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and stir well. Then add peppermint shortening to melted chocolate and stir well. 

Pour onto the prepared sheet pan and spread...

Pour onto the prepared sheet pan and spread evenly. Set aside (do not refrigerate) while you follow the same steps for melting the white chocolate, and prepare peppermint shortening with remaining 1/2 teaspoon of shortening and 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract.

Add peppermint shortening into melted white chocolate, stir...

Add peppermint shortening into melted white chocolate, stir then and 3/4 of the crushed peppermint pieces.

Spread the white chocolate gently over the dark...

Spread the white chocolate gently over the dark chocolate layer using a spatula and spread to the edge of the pan.

Immediately sprinkle the top with the remaining peppermint...

Immediately sprinkle the top with the remaining peppermint pieces.

Allow peppermint bark to harden completely at room...

Allow peppermint bark to harden completely at room temperature before cutting/breaking into pieces. This will take several hours at room temperature.  If you're in a hurry, you can place the pan of bark in the refrigerator for no longer than 20 minutes to harden. Once set, break bark apart into bite size pieces and serve or package into gifts.

Roasted Chestnuts (Castagne)

chestnuts

Rinse and dry the chestnuts well.

With a sharp knife (like a paring knife), carefully score the chestnuts in the center, making a line going across the round side, just piercing the inner skin and not the chestnut itself.

Scoring is an important step, because chestnuts expand as they roast.

Optional: Soak the scored chestnuts in a bowl of hot water for one minute to help with steaming.  Drain and dry them well.

Preparing the Chestnuts

Preheat the oven or airfryer 356F / 180C, unless you are using a pan on the stovetop.

Oven - cook chestnuts on a lined baking sheet. Shake baking sheet halfway through cooking. Depending on your oven, you may need to flip the chestnuts so they cook evenly. (Approximately 30 minutes).

Air Fryer - shake basket to flip chestnuts a couple of times during cooking. (Approximately 30 minutes).

Pan - Roast over a medium-low flame, tossing often. (Approximately 10-15 minutes).

Cooking the Chestnuts

What a great post, and so different.  Thanks for sharing. Will most definitely give this a shot, wish me luck.....;)

It may not be a fancy cake, but each slice is pure lemon bliss!

Lemon Sheet Cake

French Vanilla Cake Mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)

eggs, water, and oil

buttermilk

butter, softened

cream cheese, softened

sugar

lemon Jell-O gelatin

teaspoons vanilla extract

lemon juice

lemon

heavy whipping cream (or milk)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour 18"...

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour 18" x 13" rimmed baking sheet (half sheet pan).

In a large mixing bowl add cake mix,...

In a large mixing bowl add cake mix, eggs, water, oil, buttermilk, and pudding mix. Using an electric mixer, beat one minute on low. Continue beating another minute on medium-high, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. (do not over mix)

Pour the cake batter into the prepared sheet...

Pour the cake batter into the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in pan on a wire rack.

While the cake is cooling, make the frosting. Using...

While the cake is cooling, make the frosting. Using an electric mixer cream butter and cream cheese until well combined and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, gelatin powder, vanilla extract, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of cream or milk. Beat until smooth. Add more cream/milk if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.

Frost cake, garnish with berries and lemon slices...

Frost cake, garnish with berries and lemon slices if desired. Serve from the pan and enjoy.

https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/video/upload/zibekxnv2e4avudcwedo.mp4

Top 3 holiday foods recipes from across the web

The most viewed holiday foods recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Peppermint Bark

Roasted Chestnuts (Castagne)

Lemon Sheet Cake

Top 3 holiday foods recipes from across the web

The most viewed holiday foods recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Peppermint Bark

Roasted Chestnuts (Castagne)

Lemon Sheet Cake

The most viewed holiday foods recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine