Peppermint bark is a Female Foodie favorite Christmas treat. Snacking on pure chocolate and sugar might not be the norm for the rest of the year, but during Christmas time, it’s a constant. To find the very best peppermint bark, Brooke and Cody tested ten different major brands and judged each on flavor and texture.
The judges searched for a peppermint bark with a rich dark chocolate base, creamy white chocolate layer, crunchy candy layer, and refreshing, not overpowering peppermint flavor.
Brooke and Cody decided to only test brands that are available nationwide, so they didn’t test regional favorites. You might have a local favorite that’s only available in your area. If you have a favorite not mentioned in this video, do tell in a comment!
The Contenders
- Crate and Barrell
- Starbucks
- Godiva
- Ghirardelli
- Kirkland Signature
- Williams-Sonoma
- Dove
- Trader Joe’s
- Private Selection
- Jo’s
Worst Peppermint Bark
Usually, Female Foodie taste tests yield some pretty beloved favorites and very disliked contenders. In this taste test, none of them were really that bad, but these were the least favorite of the bunch.
Ghirardelli
Surprisingly, the judges did not care for Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. The Ghirardelli variety comes in individually wrapped squares, with lots of white chocolate, and peppermints embedded into the chocolate instead of sprinkled on top. This one didn’t allow for much texture and tasted a little artificial. You can find a big bag of these at Costco, so if you’re wanting a festive treat for the office or for kids, this is a good, inexpensive pick. On taste alone, you can find better!
Trader Joe’s
Another disappointing pick was Trader Joe’s. TJ’s Peppermint Bark was exceptionally thick, with lots of peppermint flavor. The flavor wasn’t bad, but it was a bit hard to eat!
Trader Joe’s has some other amazing seasonal treats that are much better! Grab the Peppermint Jo-Jo’s or the Mini Dark Chocolate Covered Stars instead.
Private Selection
On the complete other end of the spectrum, Private Selection was paper-thin and tasted almost exclusively of peppermint. The judges preferred other choices with a bit more bite to them!
Private Selection Peppermint Bark also comes in a paper box-type package that doesn’t feel nearly as special as some of the other festive tins.
Top Three Best Peppermint Bark
Both Brooke and Cody loved these brands. Feel confident buying any of these this holiday season.
Starbucks Salted Peppermint Bark
Who knew a coffee chain cold make an extraordinary peppermint bark? The judges were shocked at how much they liked this one! You can find this individually-portioned and packaged peppermint bark in line while waiting for your drink at Starbucks. The judges loved the ratio of dark chocolate to white chocolate to peppermint on this one. They thought the layers were perfect and that it had just the right amount of crunchy candy cane on top.
Starbucks Salted Peppermint Bark might not be best for sharing but is a perfect treat when you need to sneak a little something sweet.
Godiva
The judges knew that they would love this one even before they tasted it. All of Godiva’s products are excellent, and so is this peppermint bark! Brooke fondly called this one the “chocolate lover’s peppermint bark,” citing its subtle peppermint flavor and rich chocolate taste. Brooke liked the slight peppermint, but Cody was wanting just a tad bit more peppermint flavor.
The most expensive of all the brands, at over $30 for less than a pound, this peppermint bark is a luxurious indulgence. It even comes in a fancy golden tin!
Williams-Sonoma
It’s no wonder this one is delicious– it has a custom-blended Guittard chocolate base, triple-distilled peppermint oil-infused white chocolate, and a scattering of crunchy peppermint candy pieces on top.
The judges understandably deemed Williams-Sonoma as their favorite. This pick delivers more of everything: more refreshing peppermint flavor, more creamy chocolate, and more crunchy texture.
The judges liked that this one wasn’t coated with small peppermint pieces, but sprinkled with large candy pieces instead. You get exceptionally crunchy and flavorful bites with fewer candy cane pieces.
Williams-Sonoma products always come at a high price point, and this peppermint bark is no exception. At just under thirty dollars per pound, this one is not a budget pick. But as they say, you get what you pay for, and you’ll get an exceptional peppermint bark.
