Chocolate Christmas Bark Mint Pops

Chocolate bark, a classic sweet for gift giving at Christmas, takes on a new look as an adorable and delectable lollipop. Best of all, these are just as easy to make and serve as the originals (maybe even easier!)

We love the idea of displaying these sweet chocolate Christmas treats at your party, but they also work so well as festive favors. Simply wrap in cellophane and give!

Ingredients:

12-ounce bag of chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)

Candy canes or peppermint candies

Lollipop sticks or paper straws

Disposable decorating bag

Scissors

Zip-top plastic bag

Hammer, mallet or rolling pin

Rubber band

Baking trays

Wax paper

Note: Find the lollipop sticks and disposable decorating bag in the craft store. Find paper straws in specialty stores or online.

Directions:

Place a few unwrapped candy canes or a handful of peppermint candies in the zip-top plastic bag. Crush the candy with a hammer or mallet. (Safeguard the surface beneath with a kitchen towel or cutting board.) Empty the crushed candy into a bowl and set aside. 

Line a baking tray with a piece of wax paper and set aside.

Fill a decorating bag about halfway full with chocolate chips. Microwave for 90 seconds at 70 percent power. Continue to microwave the bag for 30 second intervals, massaging the chocolate between intervals, until the chocolate is melted. Close the bag with a rubber band.

Pipe a dot of chocolate on the baking sheet lined with wax paper. Place a lollipop stick or straw on the dot of chocolate and pipe another, larger circle on top, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Immediately coat with crushed candy. Repeat to fill the tray, using additional trays if needed. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 2 hours, and peel the pops from the wax paper, turning over to remove excess candy.