20 Must-Try Candy Cane and Peppermint Candy Recipes

By Frances Kim
Sang An
We love incorporating festive candy canes and peppermint candies into all kinds of holiday desserts, from Christmas bark and fudge to cakes and cookies. Here, 20 of our favorite ways to make the most of this seasonal treat.
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Peppermint-Candy Sugar Cookies

Sang An
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Easy to make and special enough for a cookie swap? Sign us up! Balls of sugar-cookie dough are rolled in a mixture of crushed peppermint candy and sanding sugar before being baked off.

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Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Chris Court
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The trifecta of unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, and white chocolate, plus a crushed peppermint candy topping, sets this holiday fudge recipe apart.

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Double-Chocolate Peppermint Sandwiches

Aaron Dyer
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Like peppermint patties in cookie form! Chocolate sandwich cookies are stuffed with a creamy peppermint extract-spiked chocolate filling and finished with shards of candy cane on top.

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Peppermint Bark

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Rich milk chocolate is studded with halved peppermint balls to achieve an impressive presentation. This bark can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to three days.

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Chocolate-and-Peppermint Stars

Emily Kate Roemer
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Melted peppermint candy fills the cutouts of these spectacular chocolate star cookies. You can make the dough up to a month in advance.

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Peppermint Fudge

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Semisweet chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and cream form the base of this easy, no-fail fudge. We mixed crushed peppermint candies into the fudge to add crunch and then topped each square with half a candy.

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Mini Peppermint-Meringue Cups with Ganache

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Peppermint extract and red food coloring help meringue cups take on the look and flavor of candy canes. They go perfectly with the rich chocolate ganache filling.

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Peppermint-Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Johnny Miller
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Peppermint extract and chocolate chips take simple sugar cookies from good to great. Top with crushed candy cane bits for an extra minty (and festive!) touch.

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Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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Peppermint pull double duty in this festive hot chocolate recipe -- crushed candy goes into the drink, and whole sticks are used as a garnish.

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Candy-Cane Marshmallows

Lisa Hubbard
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Peppermint flavored marshmallows get dressed up for Christmas in red-and-white candy cane swirls. Give these marshmallows as gifts along with hot cocoa mix and mugs.

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Peppermint Eggnog

VICTOR SCHRAGER
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Two holiday classics in one! This next-level eggnog has peppermint extract in the custard, a crushed peppermint candy rim and topping, and a peppermint stick garnish.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies

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We won’t blame you for not wanting to share these mint chocolate cookies dunked in melted white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy cane bits. Not one bit.

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Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Trifle

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Crumbled candy canes add a delicious minty crunch to this insanely decadent layered chocolate dessert.

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Peppermint Yule Log

Krause, Johansen
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How do you make a buche de noel even more festive? Add peppermint, of course! Red velvet cake is rolled up and slathered with peppermint frosting, then sprinkled with crushed candy canes.

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Peppermint Hot Fudge Sundaes

David Sawyer
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Update this classic frozen treat for the holidays by jazzing up your hot fudge with peppermint extract and topping the whole shebang with chopped candy canes.

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Peppermint Bark

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This easy white chocolate-peppermint bark is the perfect gift for the mint lover on your list. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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Foolproof Holiday Fudge

Sang An
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Cream, butter, and marshmallows form a smooth base for this seasonal fudge, then mix in white or semisweet chocolate chips and top with crushed candy canes or peppermints.

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Peppermint Icicles

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These frosty-looking blue-and-white icicle shapes are actually twisted peppermint candy sticks. To package the icicles as shown here, print out the clip art labels.

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Peppermint Sticks

Sang An
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Pink peppermint candy is stretched and twisted into twig shapes and allowed to harden. Some peppermint sticks are dipped in melted bittersweet chocolate for a decorative finish.

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