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20 Must-Try Candy Cane and Peppermint Candy Recipes

By Frances Kim of Martha Stewart Living
Associate Digital Food Editor
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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.

  • Photography: Sang An
    1 of 20

    Peppermint-Candy Sugar Cookies

    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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  • Photography: Chris Court
    2 of 20

    Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

    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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  • Photography: Aaron Dyer
    3 of 20

    Double-Chocolate Peppermint Sandwiches

    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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  • 4 of 20

    Peppermint Bark

    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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  • Photography: Emily Kate Roemer
    5 of 20

    Chocolate-and-Peppermint Stars

    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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  • 6 of 20

    Peppermint Fudge

    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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  • 7 of 20

    Mini Peppermint-Meringue Cups with Ganache

    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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  • Photography: Johnny Miller
    8 of 20

    Peppermint-Chocolate Sugar Cookies

    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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  • 9 of 20

    Peppermint Hot Chocolate

    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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  • Photography: Lisa Hubbard
    10 of 20

    Candy-Cane Marshmallows

    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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  • Photography: VICTOR SCHRAGER
    11 of 20

    Peppermint Eggnog

    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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  • 12 of 20

    Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies

    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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  • 13 of 20

    Peppermint House

    If you’re a candy cane fan, why not trade in your gingerbread house for a peppermint one this holiday season?

    Get the Peppermint House How-To
  • 14 of 20

    Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Trifle

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

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  • Photography: Krause, Johansen
    15 of 20

    Peppermint Yule Log

    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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  • Photography: David Sawyer
    16 of 20

    Peppermint Hot Fudge Sundaes

    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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  • 17 of 20

    Peppermint Bark

    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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  • Photography: Sang An
    18 of 20

    Foolproof Holiday Fudge

    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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  • 19 of 20

    Peppermint Icicles

    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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  • Photography: Sang An
    20 of 20

    Peppermint Sticks

    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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