Chocolate Peppermint Bark Parfaits

Have a last minute holiday gathering and are in need of a delectable dessert? Make my Chocolate Peppermint Bark Parfaits that are creamy, fruity, and chocolaty. The best combination for a spirited holiday gathering!

Do you remember the first time you had Peppermint Bark? Christmas time always reminds me of my first time trying peppermint bark. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 30-below-zero in Duluth Minnesota and we were spending Christmas at our family cabin. We had just arrived, rosy cheeks, cold noses, with luggage and bags stuffed to the brim with presents and clothes.

We were all excited to be spending Christmas with our crew and the snow sparkled beneath our freezing cold toes. As soon as we walked in the door, the smell caught my attention first. Then I saw the tray peeking around the corner in the doorframe and my 4’9 grandmother standing there with a tray in had and these beautiful chunks of peppermint bark just begging to be eaten.

Before I could even give her a hug, she stuffed a piece of peppermint bark in my mouth and I was instantly happy. You know those family desserts; the ones that make you smile? That was Libby’s peppermint bark. It’s a dessert that brought everyone out of their corners and brought endless smiles to our faces. It’s a dessert that since my blessed grandmother’s passing, no one has been able to recreate. No one has her special touch and attempting to emulate something so magical would be a tall order, but Libby’s peppermint bark recipe is on my must-do recipe list.

My peppermint bark parfaits are the next best thing. They are a semi-homemade easy dessert to make on the go for all of your last minute holiday gatherings. These delicious peppermint bark parfaits are also perfect for unexpected guests and make a great foodie gift! Give food for Christmas, desserts make everyone happy! Have a family member that you are still getting to know or are not sure what to get for them? Chocolate Peppermint Bark Parfaits are the perfect gift!

Want a healthier dessert this season? These Chocolate Peppermint Bark Parfaits are great because they are made with European Style Whole Milk Yogurt, but you could easily substitute with coconut yogurt if you are dairy-free. If you want the creamiest option possible, I suggest using the European Style Whole Milk Yogurt because it will give your parfaits those luscious dessert layers.

I used various sizes of parfait and sundae glasses that I’ve picked up here and there. Ikea has affordable options and you can usually find deals at antiques stores. Using different sizes is smart because everyone likes different portions. That way, people can chose which size they want at your holiday party.

These Chocolate Peppermint Bark Parfaits are semi-homemade because I use bite size petite brownies for the brownie portion. Who has time to make homemade brownies when surprise guests arrive? This way, the parfaits take no time to make. If homemade is your jam then here’s the perfect brownie recipe for these parfaits. Go big or go home right?

The next layer is all about the fruit. Blackberries, blueberries, cherries, and strawberries are all wonderful options for these easy parfaits. Use as much or as little fruit as you want. The more colorful the better! I put a fun spin on these parfaits. I used fresh cranberries and blueberries in this version. I love the balance of the tart and sweet and combined together, these flavor combos paired with chocolate are pure magic! If you are not a fan of fresh cranberries, swap in fresh raspberries for a sweeter combo.

I’m all about Christmas and I’m all about the extra details. Here’s an easy, quick tip for taking your Christmas appetizers from meh to Wow! Trim branches from your Christmas tree (this only works if you have a real Christmas tree) and use it as garland on your parfait platter like I did in the photo below. It’s free, you already have the tree trimmings, and it’s a breeze to do this fast. You can really take your parfaits platter up a notch by adding ferry lights behind or around the platter. This is especially pretty when you have multiple food platters for guests.

Garnish the parfaits with more greenery by using rosemary sprigs or greenery that you can pick up from your local florists or grocery store. Just make sure to remind your guests that the greenery portion is not edible. Add in candy canes and you are all set up with the foolproof holiday dessert!

What’s your favorite holiday dessert to make? What’s a family favorite that has been passed on from generation to generation?