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If you love candy canes, you’re in for a treat. These delicious Candy Cane Recipes are perfect for Christmas and the holidays! From cookies and chocolate treats to creative uses for crushed candy canes and leftover peppermint. Sweet ideas for home bakers!

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes


 

👩‍🍳Whether you’re a home cook looking to add seasonal flair to your cookies and chocolate creations, or you have leftover candy canes from the year that need a delicious purpose, you’ll love these creative recipe ideas.

My 2 Best Tips For Making Candy Cane Recipes

  • Crushing Technique: Place candy canes in a sealed plastic bag and use a rolling pin or mallet for uniform pieces. Finer crushed candy canes work better in baked goods, while larger chunks add texture to toppings.
  • Chocolate Pairing: Dark or semi-sweet chocolate balances candy cane sweetness better than milk chocolate. Melt chocolate slowly at low temperatures to prevent seizing when adding crushed candy pieces.
Melissa in her kitchen smiling in front of the starting ingredients for the chicken the quinoa salad and skillet chicken on the wood block in front of her

🩷 Melissa

Candy cane season is here, and it’s time to get baking! This collection of candy cane recipes will have you rushing to grab those iconic red-and-white striped treats off the shelf.

We’re diving into everything from rich, chocolatey brownies topped with crushed peppermint to cloud-like meringue cookies that practically dissolve on your tongue. Think gooey bars, crunchy bark, festive fudge, and cookies that’ll steal the show at any holiday gathering.

These aren’t your average Christmas treats—each recipe brings that cool, refreshing peppermint flavor in the most creative ways possible. Get ready to bookmark, bake, and fall head over heels for these seasonal stunners!

My Favorite Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint Bark Brownies from Cafe Johnsonia

Candy Cane Muddy Buddies From Six Sisters’ Stuff

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint Stick Cake Bars From Love From The Oven

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Homemade Oreos with a Mint Candy Cane Filling from Bless this Mess

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint Gooey Bars from Crazy for Crust

Peppermint-Gooey-Bars

Peppermint Bark From Baked By Rachel

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Candy Cane Oreo Peppermint Bark From Lil Luna

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint Popcorn Crunch From Bake at 350

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Candy Cane Meringue Cookies from Bless This Mess Please

Candy-Cane-Meringue-Cookies

Peppermint Crunch Brownie Bites From Two Peas & Their Pod

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies From Gal on a Mission

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes From Easybaked

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Crunch Cookies from Bless this Mess

Chocolate covered homemade mint oreos for Christmas cookies

Candy Cane Oreo Pops From Lil Luna

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Peppermint-Mocha-Heaven

Candy Cane Mint Brownies from Barbara Bakes

Peppermint-Candy-Cane-Brownies-2-Barbara-Bakes

Candy Cane Thumbprints From Baked By Rachel

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint Bark Brownies From Broma Bakery

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

Peppermint Crunch Fudge From Lil Luna

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

White Chocolate Peppermint M&M Cookies From Two Peas & Their Pod

20 Amazing Candy Cane Recipes

FAQs for Candy Cane Recipes

How long do homemade candy cane recipes stay fresh?

Most candy cane treats stay fresh for 5-7 days in airtight containers at room temperature. Chocolate-covered varieties keep up to 2 weeks refrigerated. The crushed candy may soften over time, so enjoy them within the recommended timeframe for best results.

Can I substitute candy canes with peppermint extract?

Extract provides flavor but won’t replicate the texture and visual appeal of crushed candy canes. For best results, use both—extract for intense flavor and crushed canes for festive crunch. If substituting, use 1/4 teaspoon extract per candy cane.

What’s the best way to prevent candy canes from getting sticky?

Crush them right before using and store extras in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Avoid humid areas or the refrigerator. If they become sticky, freeze on parchment paper for 30 minutes to restore crunchiness.

Can I use leftover candy canes from previous years?

Yes! Candy canes have excellent shelf life when stored properly. Check that they’re not discolored or sticky before using. The flavor may mellow slightly, but they’ll still add wonderful festive character to your recipes.

What recipes work best for using lots of leftover candy canes?

Candy cane bark, peppermint hot chocolate mix, and cookie toppings are excellent for larger quantities, helping you efficiently use your post-holiday stash while creating delicious treats.

More Holiday Recipes To Try

About Melissa Griffiths

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4 Comments

  1. AL TAN says:

    The candy canes recipe is indeed very creative. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Melissa says:

      Thanks! Merry Christmas to you 🙂

  2. Susan Carroll says:

    AuntSue
    I love to bake and eat candy cane cookies! But I like to buy the candy canes after Christmas. I once paid $1 for a brown grocery bagfull!

  3. Aimee says:

    Okay, Melissa, your blog is amazing!! This roundup looks so delicious, and just in time because I am needing some neighbor treats to make pronto. Can’t wait to look around some more, and so excited to meet up at BYBC!