So, you bought five boxes of candy canes because they were on sale and now you’re wondering what to do with them. Good news: peppermint doesn’t have to be boring, overly sweet, or stuck to the bottom of your purse. These 15 recipes take the humble candy cane and crank it up to dessert genius levels. Some are baked. Some are frozen. All are flex-worthy.
Let’s crush some candy (and expectations).
1. Peppermint Bark (the real kind)
Thin layers of dark and white chocolate swirled together, topped with crushed candy canes and a hit of flaky salt. Classic. Crunchy. Addictive. And better homemade than anything in a tin.
2. Candy Cane Brownies
Fudgy brownies with a crackly top, peppermint extract in the batter, and a generous layer of candy cane shards pressed right on top. Bake until barely set and let cool before slicing. Trust the process.
3. Candy Cane Ice Cream (No-Churn)
Sweet cream base, crushed candy canes folded in, maybe a swirl of hot fudge if you’re wild. Freeze, scoop, serve, repeat. Holiday dessert that feels like a flex but takes 10 minutes.
4. Peppermint White Chocolate Cookies
Soft, chewy vanilla cookies loaded with white chocolate chunks and crunchy candy cane bits. The key? Don’t overbake. You want soft centers and crispy edges.
5. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bombs
Hollow chocolate spheres filled with cocoa powder, mini marshmallows, and crushed candy canes. Drop in hot milk and watch it explode like holiday magic. Bonus points if you drizzle the shells with peppermint chocolate before sealing.
6. Candy Cane Meringue Kisses
Crisp little pillows of sugar and egg white, lightly flavored with peppermint and dusted with crushed candy cane. They melt in your mouth. They look like ornaments. They’re basically edible Christmas décor.
7. Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
Deep, dark chocolate base topped with silky peppermint buttercream and — you guessed it — crushed candy cane. Optional: peppermint ganache drip. Required: pride.
8. Peppermint Cheesecake Bites
Graham cracker crust, creamy no-bake peppermint cheesecake filling, candy cane swirl, all served in a mini cup or jar. Looks fancy. Doesn’t require an oven.
9. Candy Cane Fudge
White chocolate fudge base with a serious dose of crushed peppermint. Creamy, melt-in-your-mouth, with just enough crunch. Cut it into tiny squares so people can pretend it’s portion-controlled.
10. Peppermint Mocha Milkshake
Chocolate ice cream, espresso, milk, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes blended until smooth. Top with whipped cream and more candy. It’s dessert and caffeine therapy in one glass.
11. Candy Cane Pretzel Bark
Salty pretzels + white chocolate + candy canes = flavor bomb. Spread on a sheet tray, break into shards, and give it away (or don’t).
12. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chewy, brownie-like cookies coated in powdered sugar, with crushed candy cane folded right in. They bake into crackled perfection. You’ll want to eat six.
13. Candy Cane Syrup (for drinks and desserts)
Simmer crushed candy canes in water and sugar until syrupy. Drizzle on pancakes, swirl into cocktails, or mix with whipped cream for hot cocoa topping. Pure peppermint utility.
14. Peppermint Bark Popcorn
Air-popped popcorn tossed in melted white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy cane. Sweet, salty, crunchy. Perfect for gifting or eating an entire bowl by yourself.
15. Candy Cane Truffles
Ganache centers (go dark chocolate or white), chilled and rolled in crushed peppermint. Bonus: no one expects them to be homemade. Even though they’re stupid easy.
Tips for Crushing It (Literally)
- Use a freezer bag + rolling pin.
Get the candy canes to a chunky or powdery consistency depending on the recipe. - Don’t add candy canes too early to batter.
They melt fast. Fold them in gently toward the end unless you want peppermint soup. - Store leftovers airtight.
Crushed candy canes attract moisture like crazy. Zip-top bags or glass jars only. - Pair with restraint.
Peppermint is strong. Go easy unless you’re into toothpaste vibes.
Final Word
Candy canes are more than decoration. They’re minty, crunchy, sweet little holiday weapons that deserve to be baked, blended, folded, and swirled into everything. Pick a recipe, crush it (literally), and make the kind of treats that get you invited back next Christmas.
You’ve got 15 solid reasons to never let another candy cane sit stale on your counter again. Get baking. Get pepperminty. And maybe don’t tell anyone how easy these really are. Let them think you trained in pastry school — they’ll believe it.
