20 Candy Cane Recipes (2024)

Nothing says Christmas like candy canes, and these candy cane recipes, such as peppermint bark, candy cane hearts and peppermint cookies, are perfect for the holidays!

This list has everything from stunning cakes to decadent drinks to make your gatherings merry and bright.

20 Candy Cane Recipes (1)

It’s that time of year when the candy canes are out in full force. You can use candy canes for Christmas recipes, decorations, gifts and even crafting! These candy cane recipes will please all the peppermint lovers on your list, especially the kids!

When everything goes red and white with the holiday season you may be wondering, “What on earth do I do with these leftover candy canes after I take them off my tree?”I’ve got you covered!

Whip up some candy cane treats to celebrate the season! The sky is the limit. From festive candies to decadent cakes and cookies, you can use a sprinkle of candy canes in just about everything holiday. They’re the perfect winter ingredient! I love to make a batch of candy cane cookies, or set out a bowl of candy cane heart candies at a party. You can also stir crushed candies into co*cktails.

I love using candy canes in my recipes. There is nothing like enjoying a chocolate browniedessert with a mint flavor. Some recipes take minutes, whereas others take a while longer to perfect. You can bake a beautiful red, white, and peppermint flavored dessert for you and your family to enjoy. Fire up the oven and get started!

If you have an upcoming holiday party, try a peppermint candies dessert to impress your friends and family. It ‘s amazing how a little peppermint will spread holiday cheer!

Keeping up with the traditional theme I’ve have gathered 20 of the most festive candy cane recipes for you to try this year. Do you have a favorite dessert recipe that uses up candy canes? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Looking for more great Christmas recipes? Check out my lists of 30 Holiday Recipes, 30 Christmas Appetizer Recipes and 30 Christmas Cookie Recipes!

20 Candy Cane Recipes

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (3)

Candy Cane Brownie Trifle

This rich brownie trifle recipe is an impressive dessert to serve at Christmas. Decadent brownies topped with chocolate peppermint sauce and whipped cream!

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (4)

Candy Cane Sugar Cookie Truffles

Smooth candy cane sugar cookie truffles with a touch of peppermint candy cane crunch inside. Dip in chocolate and sprinkle with candy canes.

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (5)

Candy Cane Mousse Cake

This candy cane mousse cake is a knockout Christmas dessert! It has layers of rich chocolate cake and candy cane mousse, covered with chocolate and tons of peppermint candies!

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Candy Cane co*cktail with homemade Candy Cane Vodka.

A peppermint chocolate co*cktail (with candy cane rim) is perfect for winter entertaining.

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Candy Cane Cups

These cute candy cane cups are edible candy cane shot glasses. Make these candy cane shot glasses at home and then fill them with your favorite drinks.

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (8)

Candy Cane Hearts

These adorable 3 ingredient candy cane hearts are a fun and festive treat! A super easy candy cane dessert that’s great for party favors, gifts and more.

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (9)

Candy Cane Milkshake

Made with just 3 simple ingredients, this fun and festive candy cane milkshake comes together in minutes and is sure to put a smile on your face!

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (10)

Chocolate Candy Cane Cheesecake Cake

Swirls of cheesecake run through this chocolate candy cane cheesecake cake. It’s topped with cream cheese frosting and crushed candy canes creating a beautiful and delicious cake!

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (11)

Chocolate Peppermint Baked Donuts

A decadent holiday breakfast or dessert, soft and tender, with a rich chocolate glaze and crushed candy canes sprinkled on top!

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (12)

Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

The classic combination of chocolate and peppermint make these dark chocolate candy cane cookies the perfect treat for the holidays!

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (13)

20 Candy Cane Recipes (14)

Homemade Peppermint Mochas

These super easy homemade peppermint mochas are a delicious, healthy version ofa Christmas coffee drink complete with candy canes, whipped cream and mint syrup!

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Hot Chocolate Meltaway Cookies

Buttery, hot chocolate meltaway cookies topped with chocolate ganache, mini marshmallows, and crushed peppermint sticks! Everything you love about hotchocolatein a melt-in-your-mouth cookie!

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Peppermint Bark Recipe

This recipe for classic peppermint bark is layers of white and dark chocolate topped with crushed candy canes. A holiday favorite that’s quick to make and perfect for parties and gift giving.

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Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats

These holiday peppermint rice krispie treats are easy to make and flavored like the best candy of the season — peppermint bark!

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (18)

Peppermint Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes

Peppermint chocolate candy cane cupcakes are a festive dessert perfect for the holidays with chocolate cupcakes topped in a candy cane swirl of buttercream.

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Peppermint Brownies

This recipe for peppermint brownies makes fudgy chocolate squares topped with cream cheese frosting, a layer of chocolate and crushed candy canes. The perfect holiday treat!

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Peppermint Cookies

These peppermint cookies are loaded with white chocolate chunks, candy canes, and Oreo pieces for a unique holiday cookie that everyone will love!

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (21)

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

These peppermint Oreo truffles are incredibly delicious and easy to make– only Oreos, cream cheese, peppermint extract and chocolate– no baking!

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White Chocolate Candy Cane Cake

This white chocolate candy cane cake is the perfect addition to your holiday celebrations!

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20 Candy Cane Recipes (23)

Peppermint Bark Cookies

Peppermint bark cookies are decadent double chocolate cookies topped with white chocolate and crushed candy canes.

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For a festive holiday dinner or party, don’t forget an amazing dessert to wow your friends and family. Put your candy canes to good use and enjoy rich peppermint flavor with these recipes!

Originally Posted November 7, 2023

Last Updated February 1, 2024

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FAQs

What does cream of tartar do in candy canes? ›

Cream of tartar helps give the candy canes their more white color and softer texture so this ingredient isn't always used but is definitely preferred.

Why is my candy cane chewy? ›

If it clings, it probably isn't as fresh as it can be. >> Bite it: Before you stir it into your cocoa, try sinking your teeth into the cane. If it's weirdly soft and chewy, you might want to discard.

What are the two colors of candy canes traditionally? ›

A candy cane is a cane-shaped stick candy often associated with Christmastide, as well as Saint Nicholas Day. It is traditionally white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint, but the canes also come in a variety of other flavors and colors.

How to make ornaments out of candy canes? ›

Sew around the perimeter of the candy case using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Now, if you haven't already, pink the edges of the candy cane. Finally, cut a piece of twine roughly 5″ long, fold it in half, and attach the cut edges to the back side of the candy cane by sewing back and forth over the twine. That's it!

What does cornstarch do to candy? ›

Why do I add cornstarch? The addition of cornstarch (called cornflour in British recipes) helps give the taffy a smooth texture. Why do I add corn syrup? Corn syrup acts as an "interfering agent" in this and many other candy recipes.

What does cream of tartar and vinegar do? ›

Cream of tartar, or potassium hydrogen tartate, is a byproduct of making wine. When mixed with an acid, it's a particularly good stain remover or grime-be-gone solution. It can be mixed with lemon juice, vinegar, and water to clean a multitude of things, from dirty laundry to drains.

What does the white mean on a candy cane? ›

In 1847, he made a candy to symbolize Christ. The cane's "J" shape stands for Jesus; when turned upside-down, it becomes a shepherd's staff. The white color signifies purity; the red represents Christ's blood, shed for the world's sins, and three red stripes symbolize the trinity.

Why do candy canes make my stomach hurt? ›

The menthol in peppermint might be the reason for this effect. According to a Harvard Medical School Health Report, The Sensitive Gut, the menthol may block calcium channels, relaxing the "smooth" muscles in intestinal walls.

What does the candy cane mean in Christianity? ›

White Candy: Stands for Jesus as the holy, sinless Son of God. The letter “J”: Is for the Name of Jesus, our Savior. Cane: Is like the staff used by the shepherds in caring for sheep. Jesus is our “Good Shepherd.” The Color Red: Is for God's love that sent Jesus to give his life for us on the cross.

What does the red stripe mean on a candy cane? ›

• The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have eternal life. • Unfortunately, the candy became known as a Candy Cane - a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. • But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear".

What were candy canes originally called? ›

“Legend has it that the candy cane dates back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche ceremony,” Schildhaus says. “In honor of the occasion, he bent the candies into shepherds' crooks.”

What to do with candy cane decorations? ›

The candy canes can be edible – usual candies, or non-edible, made of various materials for decor. You can use these little candies for place cards, wreaths, garlands, chair and Christmas tree décor, and no special changes are needed – just hang or put them where you like.

How to use broken candy canes? ›

Instead of tossing all of your candy canes out in the trash, try some of these inventive recipes, both edible and non.
  1. Peppermint Leftover Candy Cane Brownies. ...
  2. Peppermint Simple Syrup. ...
  3. Candy Cane Cupcakes. ...
  4. Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Mix. ...
  5. Candy Cane Vodka. ...
  6. Candy Cane Milkshake. ...
  7. Candy Cane Cookies. ...
  8. Candy Cane Coffee Creamer.

What are candy canes good for? ›

7 Health Benefits of Candy Canes
  • ALL ABOUT ANTIOXIDANTS. Peppermint oil in candy canes contains a substantial amount of antioxidants, in fact among the highest found in nature. ...
  • FRESHEN UP YOUR BREATH. ...
  • TURN AROUND TUMMY TROUBLES. ...
  • CURB CRAVINGS. ...
  • EASE TENSION HEADACHES. ...
  • BOOSTS CONCENTRATION. ...
  • RELIEVE YOUR STUFFY NOSE.

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