Melt the Chocolate: Begin by placing the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring gently until it's smooth and completely melted—this should take about 1-2 minutes.

Mix Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the melted chocolate with sweetened condensed milk and peppermint extract. Stir well until all ingredients are fully blended to create a luscious mixture that’s both rich and creamy.

Chill the Mixture: Transfer the chocolate mixture to the refrigerator and let it chill for about 30 minutes, allowing it to firm up.

Roll into Balls: Once chilled, take small portions of the mixture and roll them into one-inch balls using your hands. Each truffle should be smooth and even.

Coat with Candy Canes: Gently roll each truffle in the crushed candy canes, pressing lightly to ensure they stick.

Refrigerate Again: Place the coated truffles back in the refrigerator for an additional 15-20 minutes to set before serving.