Tastes and smells are powerful memory reminders. For me, and I’m sure many of you, peppermint and chocolate bring up many wonderful memories from the holiday season. This Chocolate Peppermint Smash recipe is one of my favorite cooking (and eating 
) activities, especially when shared with a child.
peppermint candy
Ingredients:
30-40 pc. hard peppermint candy (multi-colored if possible)
2 pounds white chocolate (microwavable)
2-4 Ziploc freezer bags (at least quart sized)
Hammer, meat mallet, rolling pin, etc
Dish towel
Microwave bowl & spoon (for chocolate)
Tinfoil
Cookie sheet or jellyroll pan
Damp paper towels for sticky fingers
Instructions:
- Unwrap the hard candy and place in the Ziploc bag.
- Close the bag and cover with a dish towel to soften the blows. You may want to double bag the candy to keep it from cutting through the bag.
- Use a hammer, meat mallet, rolling pin, or something heavy and hard to smash the peppermint candy into small pieces. You don’t want big chunks or a lot of peppermint dust so try to “strike” a happy medium.
- Smash the candy a few times and then lift the towel to check the progress. Set aside when the candy is crushed enough.
- Place about half of the chocolate into a microwave bowl and follow the directions on the package to melt. This may take 2-5 minutes depending on your microwave and how much chocolate you add at one time. Make sure you stir after every minute or so. Remove from microwave when smooth and creamy.
- While you are waiting for the chocolate to cool a bit, line your pan with foil to make cleanup easier. Work quickly; you don’t want the chocolate to cool too much!
- Stir peppermint bits into the chocolate. Adjust the amount of peppermint added to taste. Mix well.
- Spread a thin layer of the chocolate peppermint mixture on foil-covered pan and let cool completely, about an hour or so. You may want to do another batch while you wait.
- When cool, break chocolate layers into bite-size bits.
- Store in an air-tight container and keep in a cool place.
Notes: This recipe is great fun for the kids and a nice way for you to secretly release frustrations. If you are giving homemade goodies, add this recipe to your list of things to include in your holiday gift baskets.
More Than Cooking Lessons:
- Before opening the candy bag, estimate how many pieces are in there. Count to find the answer.
- Have children sort candy by colors or color schemes (i.e. red & white; green & white; red, green & white)
- Count how many red candies are in the bag. Count how many green candies, etc.
- Find the letter P on the boxes and bags used. Find the letter C.
- Have older children use 1 cup measurer to measure how much candy is in the bag. Crush that candy and measure it again. How much is there after smashing?
- Write “chocolate peppermint smash” on a piece of paper. Challenge an older child to see how many different words can be found in that phrase. (i.e. mint, mash, pepper, mesh, late, cocoa, etc.)
Memory Reminder:
To help you save and cherish the memory of this activity, select a keepsake gift with our Peppermint Memories design. The tote bags are wonderfully practical as a gift bag and the ornaments can be passed from generation to generation.
Related posts:
