Candy Cane Brittle

So I'm a sucker for chocolate and peppermint. Sue me. 

And for all those folks who love to complain about Christmas coming too soon, you'd better start complaining about me, too. We already have our tree up. Me and Buddy the Elf are ready. It feels so good to be home, not in transition anymore, not living out of boxes. (Well, pretty much. Trying to be patient.)

I would rather die than go anywhere or purchase anything on Black Friday, but holing up in my kitchen or dragging out the art supplies is another matter. And my mom started a tradition, way back when, of always making some sort of special treat or cookie on tree decorating night. I come by it naturally.

There were many other things I should have been doing yesterday, but I spent a good portion of it getting ready for Tree Decorating Night. Vacuumed the rug, hauled out the plastic tote marked "Xmas," and had to go to two stores to get the ingredients for these little numbers. I was doing it all for Wyatt. Really. He goes NUTS over chocolate and peppermint. Like I've said before in your presence, there's nothing quite as motivating as seeing your kids love something you make. Wyatt really goes for it, too. He rolls his eyes, groans, get chocolate everywhere. It's pretty great. 

I'm keenly aware lately that these are the moments I will miss and romanticize as I grow older and into different seasons of life. Don't get me wrong--I'm dying to go to Greece and Morocco, sleep in every once in awhile, and actually get something accomplished during my day. But all of that is overrated. These moments, unwrapping all the Chrismtas ornaments or cleaning up the playdough, are the real ones. I'll miss the physicality of the kids' little limbs, the completely un-self-conscious way they love things like Christmas lights and peppermint bark. 

This is it, and it's breathtaking. I am blessed beyond belief.

Candy Cane Brittle
Adapted from Bon Appetit. I used to be down on BA after Gourmet went under. I didn't want to like it. But guess what? I can't help myself. The December issue got me out of a kitchen stupor. All of the sudden, I want to attempt everything and travel everywhere. And that inspiration is totally worth the subscription price. 

P.S. I get chocolate for stuff like this at Trader Joes. Their "Pound Plus" bars are the deal of the century. And apparently white chocolate is totally passé. So 1984. I actually had to look pretty hard to find some. I settled for a Godivia bar from the grocery store. I suppose you could go without it, but I like the contrast and the way it binds everything together.

1 lb. high quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 c. chopped candy canes, divided (I used 6 "regular" size candy canes, put them between parchment paper, and pounded them with a rolling pin)
1 c. chocolate wafer cookies (such as Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers), lightly crushed
2 oz. high quality white chocolate, melted 

Line a large baking sheet with foil. Stir bittersweet chocolate in a medium bowl set over a saucepan of shimmering water until melted. Stir in 1/4 c. chopped candy and all the crushed cookies; spread mixture over foil till it's about 1/4 " thick. Sprinkle the rest of the candy over, and drizzle with the white chocolate (which you've melted in the same manner as the bittersweet chocolate). Chill until set, about 30 minutes, and break into shards. 

Comments

[Tina]

I knew there had to be a recipe for this somewhere, but I hadn't taken the time to look. I simply steal a candy cane off my Christmas tree, disappear to the kitchen where my mini dark chocolate bar is hidden, and stand there, taking a bite of each at the same time, while pretending to be slaving over the dishes. Now I have no excuse not to whip this up instead, so we can all enjoy it together in front of the tree!

[Gerard Brightman]

Chocolates are my guilty pleasures! I will definitely try that candy cane brittle recipe of yours!

[Jen]

Thank you for this recipe. It looks delicious! I am going to a holiday cookie-making party this weekend and this is just what I needed for the occasion. Thanks for sharing your stories of holiday preparations. You have a wonderful ability to appreciate special moments and write about them so well. Thank you!

By the way, I am going to be in Bellingham on Friday. I am a big Seattle coffee snob. Is there a good coffee shop you would recommend in town?

[Lynn M]

DO YOU EVER GET IT, Sarah! Now when I look back, it seems like a mere blink since we were doing this! (And it's wonderful tradition to continue with grandchildren and borrowed children, too!)

[Lynn M]

Forgot to mention: Trader Joe's also had a bag of already-crushed peppermint candy----pretty smart, I'd say, considering that that takes a moment or two with the rolling pin!

[Deidra]

Sarah, I haven't commented in a long time as life has been busy, but I am still faithfully reading! I couldn't pass this one up though - I so identified with this post. I have been thinking a lot about the little moments that I get to share with my little six month old, Liam. I can definitely say that I look forward to sleeping through the night again and going out to dinner with my husband, but I am trying to really appreciate and remember the "real moments" that we share everyday. Thanks for the reminder that the other stuff is so overrated and that I too am blessed beyond belief.

[Jeneen]

Sarah, what a beautiful post! I read it while sitting at the stove stirring the candy that will be the center to our family's traditional almond roca we make each year. I decided not to make the candy cane roca (dipped in crushed canes instead of almonds) this year because of the extra steps, but alas, after reading your post, I think I must! I may or may not thank you for the inspiration, we'll see how it goes. :) I will thank you for the wonderful read while sitting and feeling the need for inspiration, which I often get here...

[Kamille @Redeeming the Table]

so good seeing you & your family today. It was very nice to meet Yancey as well. What a kind person he is, even if it was a handshake & nice to meet you (I can tell). Little FYI, I know Trader Joe's sells white chocolate for some cheap price like $.99 or $1.99 for 3 oz. Plus, it has a higher cacao percentage in it. kids are priceless & I agree on all accounts.

[London Accountant]

I'm a sucker for chocolate and peppermint too. This looks really fun to make - will have to try it with the kids!

[Brochure Printing]

Wow. This chocolate recipe is just perfect for the coming holidays. I will definitely try out this one. Thanks a lot!

- Dylan

[Elenor]

I am still reading and enjoying your blog and passing along more recipes than I can count. They are always a hit! Looking forward to making this and making it one of my giving treats. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and I hope we all get a tour and photos of your new digs soon.

[molly]

good golly, i love coming here. you ground me like no other.

we've got peppermint bark on the agenda for tomorrow (right after vacuuming and bathroom cleaning, no carrot like chocolate!). we make molly's (orangette), in triplicate. and target's got lindt white chocolate. i know because i had to hunt all over town. never too soon to plan next year's bark ;)

happy holidays to you, sarah, in your new home.

[Simply Life]

oooh I would love a piece of this!!!

[Jim Howell]

A nice Christmas idea. We spent a week in the Colorado mountains over Christmas and my very creative daughter made some yummy homemade cinnabons. Oh, my goodness - nothing to compare!