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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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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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 (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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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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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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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.

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 many candy canes are made during Christmas? ›

1.76 billion candy canes are produced every year for the holiday season.

How to make a candy cane lollipop? ›

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment. Arrange the candy canes in pairs on the trays, to make heart shapes. Put a lolly stick between each one, where they meet at the bottom. Put the trays in the oven and cook for 5 mins.

What does vinegar do to a candy cane? ›

Within 25 minutes or so, we had our results and we could determine if our predictions were correct/incorrect. The cup with the warm water was the first liquid to completely dissolve the candy cane, while the vinegar was the first liquid to remove all of the red from the candy cane.

Why is my candied fruit not hardening? ›

If your candied coating isn't hardening, the candying mixture did not reach a high enough temperature. Allow your candying mixture to cook until it bubbles, thickens, and turns a rich golden color, sort of like caramel. Then, quickly turn off the heat so it doesn't burn.

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.

Do all candy canes have red 40? ›

This is what's in the average candy cane... Ingredients: SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, PEPPERMINT OIL, RED 40, RED 40 LAKE.

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

• Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the Candy maker stained it with red stripes. • He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the beating Jesus received by which we are healed. • The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have eternal life.

What is the most eaten candy at Christmas? ›

(WHNT) – Peppermint bark, mini Reese's cups, and Starburst, oh my! Those are just a few of the most popular Christmas candies, according to a new report from CandyStore.com. However — the top candy varies from state to state.

What does a candy cane symbolize? ›

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. The Stripes: Remind us of Jesus' suffering-his crown of thorns, the wounds in his hands and feet; and the cross on which he died.

How do you rim a candy cane? ›

Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.

How do you shape a candy cane? ›

Place the candy canes on the baking sheet and bake them for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove the tray from the oven, and use a spatula to lift 1 of the warm candy canes off the tray. Gently form it into the shape you want. If it is too long, you can use scissors or kitchen shears to cut it to the correct size.

What dissolves a candy cane the quickest? ›

The heat in hot water makes the molecules move faster, which is why the hot water dissolves the candy cane faster than the cold water.

What makes candy canes sticky? ›

What makes candy sticky? Most of the time, the candy gets sticky due to humidity, so it's preventable by using airtight containers next time. Any hard candy can be remelted with a little water and made into new candy.

How do you keep candy canes from sticking? ›

Avoid Moisture Mixes.

Storing these sweets in the same container will cause the harder candies to become sticky. To make sure that hard candies stay hard, sprinkle with finely ground sugar and store in an airtight jar.

How to keep homemade hard candy from sticking together? ›

If the candy cools too quickly, set it on a saucepan over hot water to soften it, but if it gets sticky, return at once to the work counter. Toss in a small amount of powdered sugar to keep from sticking together.

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