Stop! Don't throw them out! Yes, even the broken ones. I'm talking about those nostalgic Christmas symbols, the candy cane! After reading my article, you will start to smell the peppermint through your electronic device. You know up a sucker for a great "leftover" DIY article on holiday favorites and maybe not so favorites. I may not eat candy canes by themselves but boy, I heart them in desserts. This post-Christmas I want to put a twist on the candy cane. Move over pumpkin spice, peppermint is going to make a comeback in 2022!
First and most important. I'm a firm believer candy canes need to be crushed into a "candy cane dust" or "peppermint powder" for these recipes. Nobody wants to bite into or drink a hard chunk of peppermint. I plan on using my Cuisinart Mini Chopper Grinder for a quick crush or you put the candy canes in a clear zip bag, wrap the bag in a towel and crush using a hammer or rolling pin. This may be a job for an adult and then have your kids finish the candy off with a rolling pin.
Super-Easy
Candy Cane Stirrer- Use a whole candy cane as a stirrer for hot chocolate. Wanna go DIY on the hot cocoa? Try this slow cooker recipe. Great for a winter weekend!
Fold crushed candies into vanilla (or chocolate) ice cream. To ensure the candies are well-incorporated, use slightly softened but not soupy ice cream and a rubber spatula. Set the ice cream back in the freezer to harden OR try a Peppermint Milkshake!
Vegan Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix- Makes a great treat or gift for people of all ages can enjoy. How fun would this be as a "Back to School from Winter Break" gift for your kiddos' teacher(s)! Something to enjoy after a long day in the classroom! Layer the ingredients for this homemade candy cane hot chocolate in a jar and add some fun decorative touches like a fresh clipping of evergreen, wrap the fabric over the lid, tie twine or ribbon and add a pretty tag. It not only looks beautiful, but it is so tasty, too!
Easy
Peppermint Bark Recipe - Best part of this recipe- 3, yes I said 3 ingredients. Here's an article that suggests using silicone molds for your melted chocolate to make fun, festive bark!
White Chocolate and Peppermint Covered Popcorn- a sweet and salty combination!
Peppermint Fudge - I am a sucker for anything Ree Drummond, aka Pioneer Woman whips up in her country kitchen. I may put some of my finely crushed candy cane sand in the fudge!
Semi-Challenging
Chocolate Candy Cane Tower aka Stacked Pancakes - How fun would this be on a Saturday morning in winter (okay during any season)!
Candy Cane Chocolate Cheesecake Bars - Yes, I had to throw in a cheesecake dessert!
Candy Cane Whoopie Pies - This one is definitely a weekend project or a snow day-in the kitchen recipe. I have always wanted to make Whoopie Pies so why not incorporate some Peppermint Powder!
Candy Cane Brownie Trifle - Don't be surprised to find my last recipe idea AGAIN using peppermint AND chocolate!
Valentine's Day Crafts
With my post-Christmas brain, I always forget to think ahead to Valentines' day or other craft ideas for leftover candy canes. Oh, but not this year. This mama bear is on it. Now to find the time to make and create!
Do you know if you put two candy canes together, it makes a HEART! I know, mind-blowing! Just think of the endless ideas!
Valentines or any Love Card - You can use large or mini candy canes. Take a piece of card stock (definitely will need heavier weight paper to hold the candy canes) and fold in half. Use a hot glue gun to adhere the canes to the front of the card in a heart shape. Add any greeting to the front and inside. Another idea is to use the heart candy cane in the middle for an "I (insert heart) U" greeting.
Cupcake Topper- Definitely want to use two mini candy canes for your heart topper. I would melt candy melts to make your "glue" and put two mini canes together to make a heart. Depending on the size and moistness of your cupcake AND probably the amount of frosting (yum, yum) you can insert your heart upright into your cupcake or just lay on top. My opinion, just use a simple white buttercream icing to make your heart really pop!
Candy Cane Vase- also a great upcycle craft with those tin cans. Will need to use a hot glue gun.
Heart Wreath- How fun does this look! This may be a fun one with the fruity candy canes.
Candy Cane Suckers - Is a recipe, valentine's day gift, science experiment or all of the above!
