Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers: 5 Ways to Bake

The first time I made Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers, I was looking for a simple yet festive treat that would stand out on a holiday dessert platter without demanding hours in the kitchen. What started as a whimsical experiment quickly became a cherished tradition because of how effortlessly they transform humble graham crackers into something truly magical. The crisp snap of the cracker, the creamy sweetness of white chocolate, and the exhilarating burst of peppermint crunch create a symphony of textures and flavors that embodies the spirit of the season.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

These Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers are an absolute game-changer for holiday baking, and honestly, for any time you need a treat that feels special. First off, they’re incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal baking skills but delivering maximum impact. You get that satisfying crunch from the graham cracker, the rich, smooth embrace of white chocolate, and then a cool, vibrant pop from the peppermint. They’re perfect for holiday parties, edible gifts, or just a cozy night in with a mug of hot cocoa. Plus, with five distinct ways to prepare them, you can easily find a method that suits your mood and your pantry!

> “I made these for our office holiday party, and they were the first dessert to disappear! Everyone kept asking for the recipe. So simple, yet so impressive!” – A Happy Home Baker

The Cooking Process Explained

Making Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers is really a delightful and straightforward process. It generally involves melting white chocolate, dipping or spreading it onto graham crackers, and then showering them with crushed peppermint candy. Depending on the method you choose (and we’ll cover five!), you might be drizzling, sprinkling, or even creating little sandwiches. The key is ensuring your white chocolate is smooth and melted evenly, and that your peppermint candy is crunched just right – not too fine, not too chunky. Once assembled, a little time in the fridge sets everything beautifully, making them ready to enjoy.

Key Ingredients

To whip up these festive treats, you’ll need just a handful of straightforward ingredients. The beauty is in their simplicity!

• Graham Crackers: The sturdy, slightly sweet base for our festive creation. You can use classic honey graham crackers or even chocolate for a double chocolate mint delight.
• White Chocolate Chips or Melting Wafers: This forms the luscious coating. Melting wafers or high-quality white chocolate chips designed for melting work best for a smooth, even finish. Avoid white chocolate baking bars that might seize or be too thick when melted.
• Peppermint Candies: Such as candy canes or starlight mints. These are crushed to provide that signature crunchy texture and refreshing minty flavor. Make sure they’re completely cool and dry before crushing.
• Optional Flavor Enhancers (depending on your chosen method): Peppermint extract (just a tiny drop!), coconut oil (to thin chocolate if needed), or different types of chocolate for variation.

Directions to Follow

Here are general steps, adaptable to the five methods we’ll explore in the Variations section:

1. Prepare Your Peppermint Crunch: Place peppermint candies in a freezer bag and crush them using a rolling pin or meat mallet until you have a mix of fine crumbs and small crunchy pieces. Set aside.
2. Melt the White Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, use a double boiler over simmering water, stirring constantly. Be careful not to overheat, as white chocolate can seize.
3. Prepare Your Workstation: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Break your graham crackers into individual squares or rectangles, as desired.
4. Dip or Spread:

• For full coverage: Dip each graham cracker completely into the melted white chocolate, letting any excess drip off.
• For partial coverage: Use a spoon or spatula to spread chocolate over one side of the cracker, or dip half of it.

1. Sprinkle: Immediately after dipping/spreading, sprinkle the crushed peppermint generously over the wet white chocolate. Press lightly to help it adhere.
2. Set: Carefully transfer the covered graham crackers to the prepared baking sheet.
3. Chill: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the white chocolate is completely set and firm.
4. Enjoy! Once firm, remove from the fridge and break apart any crackers that might have stuck together.

Best Ways to Enjoy It

These Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers are incredibly versatile and delightful. They make for a fantastic addition to any holiday cookie platter, bringing a pop of color and a refreshing flavor. Serve them alongside a warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or a festive chai tea for a cozy treat. They also make wonderful homemade gifts – simply stack a few in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon, and you have a thoughtful present that everyone will appreciate. For a casual dessert, you can even break them into pieces and sprinkle them over a bowl of vanilla ice cream!

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

To keep your Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers at their best, proper storage is key. Once the chocolate is fully set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If your home is particularly warm, or if you want to extend their shelf life, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Just be aware that moisture in the fridge can sometimes soften the graham cracker slightly, though they’ll still be delicious.

Freezing: These treats can also be frozen! Place the set crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper, for up to 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Helpful Cooking Tips

• Quality White Chocolate Matters: For the best results and easiest melting, use good quality white chocolate chips or melting wafers. Brands like Ghirardelli or Guittard often melt more smoothly than cheaper alternatives.
• Don’t Overheat the Chocolate: White chocolate can be finicky. Melt it gently and slowly, either in short bursts in the microwave or over a double boiler. If it gets too hot, it can seize up and become lumpy.
• Add Coconut Oil (Optional): If your melted white chocolate seems a bit too thick for dipping, stir in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (or vegetable short shortening like Crisco) until it reaches your desired consistency. This helps make it smoother and easier to work with.
• Crush Peppermint Strategically: For an even distribution, crush some peppermint into fine dust and some into larger chunks. The dust adheres easily, and the chunks provide that satisfying crunch and visual appeal.
• Work Quickly: Once the white chocolate is melted, work fairly quickly when dipping and sprinkling the peppermint, as the chocolate will start to set.
• Chill Thoroughly: Don’t rush the chilling process! A completely set chocolate coating means the crackers will be less messy and easier to handle.

Creative Twists

Here are 5 delicious ways to make Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers, each offering a slightly different experience:

1. The Classic Dip & Sprinkle: This is the traditional method. Simply melt white chocolate, dip each whole graham cracker square into the chocolate until fully coated, and immediately sprinkle generously with crushed peppermint. This gives you maximum chocolate and crunch.
2. Half-Dipped Elegance: For a slightly lighter touch and a pretty presentation, dip only half of each graham cracker square into the melted white chocolate. This leaves some of the golden graham cracker exposed, creating a lovely contrast. Sprinkle peppermint over the chocolate-dipped half.
3. Chocolate-Covered Sandwich: Take two graham cracker squares, spread white chocolate on one side of each, then lightly press them together with a thin layer of melted white chocolate in the middle. Dip the entire sandwich or just the edges in more white chocolate, then roll or sprinkle with peppermint crunch. This is extra decadent!
4. Dark Chocolate Base with White Chocolate Drizzle: For a more complex flavor profile, first melt dark chocolate and dip the entire graham cracker. Let it set. Then, melt white chocolate, drizzle it artfully over the set dark chocolate, and immediately sprinkle with peppermint crunch. The bitterness of dark chocolate beautifully complements the sweet white chocolate and mint.
5. Peppermint White Chocolate Bark Style: Don’t want to dip individual crackers? Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange graham cracker squares in a single layer, close together. Pour melted white chocolate over the top, spreading it evenly to cover all the crackers and fill the gaps. Generously sprinkle with crushed peppermint. Once set, break the large slab into irregular pieces, including cracker chunks. This is great for a rustic, shareable treat!

FAQ

How long do these Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers last?

When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they can last for about 1 week. If refrigerated, they can extend their freshness for up to 2 weeks, although the cracker might soften slightly. Freezing extends their shelf life to 1-2 months.

Can I use regular chocolate instead of white chocolate?

Absolutely! While white chocolate offers a beautiful contrast with the red and green peppermint, you can certainly use milk chocolate or dark chocolate for a delicious variation. The process remains the same. A dark chocolate base especially pairs wonderfully with peppermint.

My white chocolate is clumpy after melting. What went wrong?

White chocolate is very sensitive to heat and moisture. It likely either got too hot, or a tiny bit of water (even steam) got into the bowl. To fix slightly thick chocolate, you can try stirring in a teaspoon of coconut oil or vegetable shortening. If it’s completely seized and lumpy, unfortunately, it’s best to discard it and start fresh, melting the chocolate slowly over a double boiler or in very short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently.

Festive Peppermint Crunch White Chocolate Graham Crackers

These festive graham crackers are coated in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint for a delightful holiday treat. They are easy to make and perfect for sharing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 12 crackers

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

• baking sheet
• parchment paper or silicone mat
• microwave-safe bowl
• Ziploc bag
• rolling pin or heavy pan

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 box honey or original graham crackers about 14.4 oz
• 12 ounces good quality white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate bars e.g., Ghirardelli, Guittard
• ½ cup crushed peppermint candies candy canes or starlight mints

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, then break graham crackers in half along perforations.

Melting Chocolate

• Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until smooth, being careful not to overheat.

Crushing Peppermint

• Crush peppermint candies in a sturdy Ziploc bag with a rolling pin or use store-bought crushed peppermint.

Dipping and Topping

• Dip each graham cracker half into melted white chocolate, letting excess drip off, then immediately sprinkle generously with crushed peppermint.

Setting

• Place dipped crackers on the baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until the chocolate is fully set.

Serving

• Once firm, remove from the refrigerator, break apart any stuck crackers, and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use high-quality white chocolate as it melts smoother and tastes better. You can also mix different types of crushed candies for more variety.