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When I was little, I always knew it was Christmastime when my mom started making peanut butter white bark candy.
We had to go to a specialty baking shop to specifically get Merckens melting chocolate, because we didn’t like taste of the stuff sold at the grocery store. So we’d make the trek out, wander around the aisles in awe of all the colorful goods, then come home with our treasure.
Peanut butter white bark candy is a great gift to give during holiday exchanges, since it’s unique and also easy to make. You can pretty much guarantee there won’t be any duplicate givers at your cookie exchange the way there might be with gingerbreads!
If you have kids, this is also a good recipe to make together or to let the kids help you with. Really small kids can help by crushing the pretzels and sprinkling on toppings; kids a bit older can scoop out and measure the peanut butter; and kids old enough to safely use the stovetop can melt the chocolate wafers.
Gluten-free pretzels work just fine with this recipe. I haven’t tried it, but sunflower butter or a similar non-nut butter would probably do well.
Items Needed
- Either a double boiler or a pot and a heatproof bowl for melting the chocolate discs
- Two flat baking sheets (plus parchment paper or reusable baking mats if you’d rather not grease the pans)
- Baking basics: measuring cups and spoons, plus a spatula for stirring
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Merckens white melting chocolate
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 4 cups crushed pretzels
- Other add-ins as desired, such as:
- Peanuts or other nuts
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate chips
- Marshmallows
Instructions
- Prepare two baking sheets by either greasing them or lining them with parchment paper or a reusable baking mat.
- Crush your pretzels and measure out your peanut butter. You can crush pretzels with a rolling pin, your hands, a rubber mallet, or whatever else you choose. This is a great task for little kids — they love crushing pretzels.
- Melt the chocolate discs using a double-boiler (or just a pot and a heatproof bowl, like in this guide.)
- Once the chocolate is melted, stir in the peanut butter and mix thoroughly.
- Stir in the pretzels and any other add-ins.
- Pour the mixture onto the pans and spread it around so it forms a thin, even layer. Add sprinkles or other toppings if desired.
- Chill in the fridge for an hour or so, then when it’s hardened, break up*.
*You break it up by either snapping it with your hands like a stick, or sort of stabbing it gently with the tip of a butter knife.
Simple, right? If you make it, let me know in the comments!
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