Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The holiday season is in full swing at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and that means the return of many of our favorite seasonal snacks — plus the addition of some new ones!

Epcot Christmas tree ornaments

For many years, Epcot has been a terrific place to spend some time during the Winter holiday season. Holidays Around the World features performances of folk stories from different countries, and the Candlelight Processional always draws big crowds.

And while foods that celebrate the Winter holidays have been a mainstay of the season for years, now Holidays Around the World has joined other annual Epcot Festivals, the Food and Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden Festival, as a food-lovers destination — complete with passport to check off dishes as you enjoy them!

We can never resist a stop by the Sugar and Spice Holiday Bakery in the America Pavilion to see what’s new!

Sugar and Spice Holiday Bakery

One favorite has been there for years — even before the Sugar and Spice Bakery was there! Peppermint Bark!

Peppermint Bark from the Sugar and Spice Bake Shop in Epcot’s America Pavilion

Can’t make it to Epcot, or you don’t want to wait to enjoy some until you do? Check out this handy recipe and whip up a batch at home!

Peppermint Bark

Sugar and Spice Holiday Bakery, Epcot’s America Pavilion

Makes a 15 x 10-Inch Baking Sheet

Ingredients:

12 ounces (about 2 cups) high quality semisweet chocolate, chopped, or chips, divided
1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil
12 ounces (about 2 cups) high quality white chocolate, chopped, or chips, divided
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy

Instructions:

1. Line 15 x 10-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil, smoothing on bottom and along sides.

2. Place ice in bottom of large bowl and cover ice with kitchen towel. Set aside.

3. Bring water to a gentle simmer in bottom of a double boiler over medium-low heat. Add 1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips to top of double boiler, making sure bottom of bowl is not touching water. Stir continuously until about 3/4 of chips are melted.

4. Remove from heat and place on towel in ice bowl and let sit for 20 seconds. Remove from ice and gradually add remaining 3/4 cup chocolate chips, stirring continuously so that residual heat melts remaining chocolate. Once chocolate melts, stir in peppermint oil.

5. Spread onto baking sheet and chill until completely firm.

6. Once chocolate is firm, bring water back to a gentle simmer. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 with white chocolate, then spread white chocolate over semisweet chocolate. Immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

7. Refrigerate until firm; break into pieces and store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Cook’s Notes: For stronger peppermint flavor, add an additional 1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil to the white chocolate after melting, or top with more crushed peppermint candy.

If You Love Celebrating the Holidays at Disney, Don’t Miss Our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays!

It really is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year — of course, we’re talking about the Holidays at Walt Disney World!

With gorgeous decorations, lots of special events, and tons of delightful seasonal food, we don’t want you to miss out on a single moment of merrymaking this holiday season. And so, we’ve put together the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays!

Our full color guide offers detailed descriptions and photos of every holiday event and activity happening at the Parks and Resorts. You’ll enjoy a clickable 3-Month Schedule of Holiday Events, so you can see at-a-glance what looks interesting to you. And comprehensive listings — with color photos! — of Disney Resort holiday decor and gingerbread displays make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the magic before you ever step foot through the Purple Gates!

There’s also a full chapter dedicated to all “New for 2014″ events, dining options, and activities, including what’s new at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, The Celebrate the Magic Castle Show, and the Epcot Candlelight Processional.

And with its handy e-book format, your DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays is instantly downloadable to all of your electronic devices immediately!

Will you be making Peppermint Bark this Holiday season with this handy recipe? If so, tell us about it below in the comments!