PHOTO: DANE TASHIMA; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER
There are some flavors—like pumpkin spice, watermelon, eggnog, and others—that are so reminiscent of a particular season that we can barely even picture them outside that time of year. For desserts this time of year? That’s peppermint. Rather than trying to imagine eating a candy cane in, say, July, we’re giving the minty-sweet flavor its proper due this holiday season. Join us as we make all 30 of these peppermint recipes—enjoy them for Christmas and all winter long.
When it comes to minty treats, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the OG: peppermint bark. Made with just 4 ingredients—white chocolate, milk chocolate, peppermint extract, and candy canes—it’s the simplest way to get your mint fix. Of course, we love the flavor combo so much, we have complicated things a bit by turning it into a myriad of other desserts, like a cheesecake, brownies, a trifle, a poke cake, and more. Trust us, they’re very worth the extra effort.
It should also be noted, adding peppermint (and yes, bark) is THE best way to give festive flair to your favorite cocktails come Christmas. Check out our peppermint white Russians, our peppermint bark shots, our peppermintinis, or our peppermint bark mimosas to see what we mean. Be warned, though they’re extra-sweet and cute, they still pack a boozy punch.
These Christmas cookies look so much more complicated than they are. They're actually just a simple peppermint sugar cookie where half of the dough gets dyed red and then twisted together. So simple!
Peppermint bark is THE candy we cannot wait to get our hands on every holiday season. Luckily for you, you can make a batch at home in just 10 minutes flat.
PHOTO: DANE TASHIMA; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER
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Peppermint Meltaways
These Christmas cookies have a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth texture and are topped with a pretty pink frosting, plus a shower of peppermints. There's just a touch of peppermint extract in the dough to lend the cookies a festive but not overpowering taste.
PHOTO: DANE TASHIMA; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER
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Peppermint Meringues
A cookie box filled with a wide assortment of shapes, sizes, and colors is such a treat to gift during the holidays. These peppermint meringues are the perfect addition to add a pop of color and fun. They practically scream “holiday!” and they taste fantastic as well.
With a simple combo of Kahlúa, vodka, and heavy cream, the White Russian is already the king of creamy after-dinner cocktails, but adding a splash of peppermint schnapps makes it perfect for a seasonal celebration. Finish with a pinch of salt and a few peppermint candies, and meet your new favorite nightcap.
This no-bake pie tastes just like the beloved ice cream flavor. Looking for more no-bake mint chocolate goodness? Give our mint chip lasagna a try too!
PHOTO: DANE TASHIMA; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER
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White Chocolate Peppermint Blondies
There’s nothing quite like candy canes to put everyone in the holiday spirit, so top a peppermint-laced chewy blondie with a layer of snow white frosting and a dusting of chopped peppermints for the perfect holiday spin on the classic.
This recipe can be as fancy or as simple as you want, depending on the type of brownies you make. Tbh, this peppermint white chocolate frosting would be amazing on pretty much anything. You could even sub out the brownies for cookies or even... brookies! The delicious options are endless.
What really sets this version apart from most other biscotti recipes is the use of whole wheat flour. Not only does it add a little nutritional bump, it also contributes a slight nutty-sweetness that pairs really well with the dark cocoa powder, subtle peppermint, and crunchy almonds.
PHOTO: DANE TASHIMA; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER
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Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
With a texture similar to a crinkle cookie (minus the sugar coating), these chocolate peppermint crunch cookies are soft in the center and slightly chewy around the edges. They're made extra-festive with a dip in melted chocolate and crushed peppermint candies too.
If you love candy brittle and are as obsessed with brownies as we are, then this brownie brittle will be your new favorite snack. Crisp and crunchy with deep cocoa flavor, this sweet snack bark is both insanely easy to make and incredibly delicious. Beware—you won’t be able to stop at just one piece!
Peppermint Patties were developed in 1940 at a store in York, Pennsylvania. The guy behind the York Cone Company, Henry Kessler, made sure the patties had that perfect “snap.” The company became one with Hershey in the late 1980s, and the candy is synonymous with the brand. The more you know!
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE
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Peppermint Bark Shots
We look forward to peppermint bark season all year long. These shots taste a lot like the real thing, only way more boozy. Sweet, minty, and creamy, be warned: These go down easy, but they’re just as strong as your average shot.
It doesn’t get more festive than everyone’s favorite holiday menu special from The Cheesecake Factory. Peppermint bark meets cheesecake in this minty, chocolate-y epic dessert. Studded with chopped chocolate and candy canes, it tastes just like the real thing.
These mimosas are just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit! Wanna double up on holiday cheer? Serve with our classic gingerbread for full-on holiday vibes.
PHOTO: DANE TASHIMA; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER
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Peppermint Snowball Cookies
This holiday season, we challenge you to a snowball fight! Not with the actual cold stuff, but with these pretty snow white cookies. Better eaten than thrown, these peppermint snowball cookies are similar to polvorones (AKA Mexican wedding cookies), but made Christmas-ready with a hit of peppermint extract.
Not a fan of candy canes but still want that peppermint flavor? Make this peppermint bark instead. The green food dye is optional, but we think it adds an extra layer of fun (and color!).
The greatest present this year will be the presence of this tart on your dessert table. Best part? Using plant-based butter to make this means it's completely vegan-friendly, perfect for that cousin, friend, or coworker who doesn't eat animal products.
There's always a plentiful array of Christmas cookies at parties, but too rarely is there a cake. Why not mix it up and make this ridiculously good poke cake? It's sort of like chocolate cake and peppermint bark had a baby, and we guarantee it'll be gone long before the cookies.
Fact: Peppermint bark tastes WAY better when it’s sprinkled on top of a decadent dessert lasagna, particularly this one layered with a chocolate graham cracker crust, two kinds of JELL-O pudding (vanilla and chocolate), and a fudgy Cool Whip frosting. Plan ahead and make this one the night before your holiday celebration, so it has plenty of time to chill.
Layers of brownie, candy canes, white chocolate, and heavy cream make up this festive trifle we can't get enough of. Just like our favorite peppermint bark, this dessert proves chocolate and candy canes belong together.
Regular chocolate chip cookies are great, but this time of year, festive green peppermint chocolate chip cookies are even better. We added Andes Mints and peppermint extract to our cookies instead of chocolate chips to take these OTT.
These truffles will be the first thing to disappear from your holiday table, and they come together SO quickly. Want to add even more peppermint flavor? Try these with mint Oreos instead.
Turn your Puppy Chow (or Muddy Buddies) into a snack fit for the holidays by adding peppermint bark into the mix. Hot tip: Kids go NUTS for this stuff, and it's easy enough they can help make it!
