Painlessly easy (although it does involve some waiting), and so good you won’t want to share!

YOU WILL NEED:
-a 9X9 pan of your favorite brownie. I’m gluten intolerant, and find the premix bags make my life easier, so I used that. I’m rather fond of Arrowhead Mill’s brownie mix- some people didn’t believe me that it was gluten-free- EXACTLY what you want. Not rubbery or dry like others. I mean you, Trader Joe’s.
-peppermint extract
-a box of peppermint candy canes
-1 1/2 cups of dark chocolate chips
-1 cup of white chocolate chips

Step 1: Bake brownies according to package (or recipe) and ADD 1 tsp of peppermint extract. Allow them to cool FULLY. (I let them cool overnight.)

Step 2: Put dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds. Stir. Repeat until chocolate just melts. Don’t try to cheat and put it in for 2 minutes, you will fry the chocolate into nuclear nuggets.

If you are anti-microwave, you can use the French method- heat water in the bottom of a double boiler- pour chocolate into top and stir until melted.

Smooth melted chocolate evenly over the top of the brownies using a rubber spatula. Let it cool for at least ONE HOUR in the fridge.

Step 3: While chocolate is cooling, unwrap the candy canes, and place them into something sturdy like a paper bag. Take a hammer and smash the candy canes. Now is a good time to release any pent up holiday anger. Check the pieces for consistent size- you may need to smash some more. After ONE HOUR, check the brownies and give the chocolate a little tap make sure the chocolate is rock hard. If not, refrigerate it some more.

Step 4: Melt the white chocolate chips the same as the dark chocolate. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula- work quickly to avoid melting the dark chocolate below. Sprinkle the candy cane bits over the white chocolate, and press lightly with your hands. Let them cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes, then slice with a sharp knife. The peppermint bark may not break evenly, but you should be able to cut some nice squares regardless.

YUM!! And kicks the crap out of cookies.