Irresistible Keto Peppermint Bark Recipe to Savor Festive Flavors Guilt-Free!

The holiday season is synonymous with certain flavors, and peppermint bark undoubtedly holds a special place in many hearts. For those following a ketogenic lifestyle, the abundance of sugary treats can present a challenge. But fear not! This article provides a comprehensive guide to creating a delectable keto peppermint bark that captures the essence of the holidays without derailing your low-carb goals.

Why Keto Peppermint Bark?

Peppermint bark is a classic treat that everyone loves. Many people eagerly await the arrival of peppermint bark in stores each year, stocking up to enjoy throughout the winter and beyond. The appeal lies in the delightful combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint, a pairing that evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia.

This keto version allows you to partake in this beloved tradition without the guilt associated with traditional sugary versions. It’s a fun and easy keto recipe and it’s dairy-free too.

The Essence of Keto Peppermint Bark

This homemade sugar-free Keto Peppermint Bark Recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients and is so easy and delicious. The goal is to make delicious low carb recipes for you guys while keeping them easy and simple. By using sugar-free alternatives and carefully selected ingredients, you can create a treat that satisfies your cravings while staying true to your ketogenic principles.

Core Ingredients: The Building Blocks of Flavor

Creating the perfect keto peppermint bark involves selecting the right ingredients to replicate the texture and taste of the traditional treat. Here's a breakdown of the key components:

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Chocolate: There are many options when choosing the best chocolate to use for making Keto peppermint bark. The best options are ChocZero or Lily’s Chocolate. I used 100% unsweetened bakers chocolate. However, because I chose to use a bar of unsweetened chocolate I had to add sweetener to it to make it similar to normal bark. But if you want to use another kind of sugar-free chocolate that’s keto-friendly, you can.
Sweetener: Powdered Sweetener - I use powdered swerve for the bottom layer as well. It mixed well with the coconut oil and cream cheese. Swerve and Monk Fruit are my go-to low carb sweeteners. Monk Fruit - I chose to use granulated monk fruit for the chocolate layer, but you can use a powdered sweetener if you prefer.
Peppermint Extract: An essential ingredient for both the top layer and the bottom layer. There’s no peppermint bark without peppermint extract, can you agree? Alternatively, you can use edible peppermint oil as well.
Coconut Oil: Use equal parts of cream cheese and coconut oil. Make sure to use refined coconut oil instead of extra virgin coconut oil. We use 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the entire keto chocolate peppermint bark recipe. That’s a good amount of healthy fat, but not too much to add to your daily calorie count.
Sugar-Free Peppermint Candies: I used sugar-free peppermint Star Brite candies. You can get them at any local grocery store. You’re only using a tiny little bit to give the keto peppermint bark recipe a more authentic taste. Admittedly, I just used the sugar-free Starlight mints that I find at Walgreen’s but if you want a healthier option, you can use these Xylitol Peppermints from Dr.

Crafting Your Keto Peppermint Bark: A Step-by-Step Guide

This homemade peppermint bark recipe is incredibly simple! The process involves creating two distinct layers: a rich chocolate base and a creamy white chocolate peppermint topping. Here's a detailed guide to help you through each step:

Preparing the Dark Chocolate Layer

Melt the Chocolate: Dark Chocolate Layer:In a microwave safe bowl, combined the chopped chocolate and cocoa butter. Heat on high in 30 second increments, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate on the stove-top double-boiler style.
Add Peppermint Extract: Stir in the peppermint extract
Prepare the Pan: If using cookie cutters, set them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spoon a little of the melted chocolate into each. Use a toothpick or other small pointed utensil to push the chocolate into the corners of each cookie cutter. If using silicone mini muffin cups, use about 24 and divide the chocolate between them (you could also use 12 larger muffin cups). Freeze the chocolate layer for at least 30 minutes to set. You can also line an 8x8 pan with parchment and simply pour the chocolate in. Freeze before continuing to the next step.

Creating the White Chocolate Peppermint Layer

Melt the Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil: White Chocolate Layer:In a microwave safe bowl, combined the cocoa butter and coconut oil. Heat on high in 30 second increments, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, you can melt them on the stove-top double-boiler style.
Incorporate Sweetener and Peppermint Extract: Whisk in the powdered sweetener and peppermint extract until smooth.
Combine the Layers: Divide the mixture among the cookie cutters or muffin cups or spread over the chocolate layer in the pan. Freeze about 10 to 20 minutes, until just starting to set, then sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies, if using.

Variations and Customizations: Making It Your Own

One of the joys of homemade treats is the ability to customize them to your liking. Here are some ideas to personalize your keto peppermint bark:

Add Nuts: You’re welcome to add different nuts if you don’t like almonds.
Spice It Up: You can spice up your peppermint bark if you want with a bunch of different ways to make it. Use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate.
Add More Peppermint Flavor: Taste the white chocolate mixture and add more peppermint extract until it suits your taste buds.

Serving and Storing Your Keto Peppermint Bark

Homemade peppermint bark can be served as a dessert or even just a snack when you want a sweet treat. Storing keto peppermint bark is easy and will allow it to stay fresh for a long time. Simply put, keeping peppermint bark in the refrigerator is the best way to store it. Of course, you can freeze your sugar-free bark. It’s a great way to always have a sweet treat on hand. Place your bark in an airtight container and place it in the freezer.

A Few Words of Caution

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them.

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tags: #keto #peppermint #bark