20 Creative Candy Cane Recipes to Make All of December (2024)

From their festive hue to their cooling taste, candy canes add a special flavor and appearance to holiday desserts that can't be beat. The versatile candy can be crushed into cookie dough, sprinkled onto cakes, or whisked into co*cktails. Check out these candy cane dessert recipes, all appropriate — and delicious — for December.

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake: This elegant cake is drizzled with addictive chocolate glaze, which is smooth from heavy cream and crunchy from candy cane bits. (via Two Peas and Their Pod)

Peppermint Chocolate Silk Pie: Is anyone not a sucker for Oreo crust? Atop the crumbly crushed cookies lies a luscious chocolate-peppermint filling and a mountain of whipped cream. (via Whole Bite Blog)

White Chocolate Candy Cane co*cktail: Holiday aesthetic goals? Check. This creamy crème de menthe co*cktail crushes the holiday drinks games. (via Sugar and Cloth)

Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies: Make these beautiful dipped cookies, and people will find it hard to believe you didn't get them from a bakery. (via Liv for Cake)

Peppermint Swirl Marshmallows: Your next mug of peppermint hot chocolate deserves to have a couple of these ‘mallows bobbing on top. When wrapped in a cellophane bag, they also make a lovely homemade gift. (via Brit + Co)

Frosted Peppermint Brownie Cookies: Put these cream-cheese frosted, cake-like cookies on a plate, and watch them disappear in seconds. (via Cooking Classy)

Candy Cane Brownie Trifle: This decadent and indulgent recipe layers brownies, cream, candy canes, and powdered sugar, and we don't think anything could be sweeter. Just be sure to let the brownies cool before combining the mixture. (via The Food Charlatan)

Candy Cane co*cktail With Homemade Candy Cane Infused Vodka: Crème de cacao and homemade candy cane infused vanilla vodka — along with a couple dashes of bitters for depth and balance — combine for a classic (not cloying) chocolate-peppermint co*cktail. (via Boulder Locavore)

Candy Cane Mini Donuts: Storebought donuts plus storebought icing plus crushed candy canes equals these terrific frosted cake donuts. (via Paper and Stitch)

Candy Cane Cookies and Cream Mug Cake: Minty mug cake for one, anyone? This cookies and cream treat cooks in just a minute and a half in the microwave. (via Kirbie's Cravings)

Peppermint Mousse Cups: These six-ingredient bites are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside with just the right hint of peppermint. (via SprinkleBakes)

Peppermint Mocha Pie: From the mountain of whipped cream dotted with peppermint candies to the rich mocha ganache filling, this pie is like a present to your tastebuds. (via Host the Toast)

Pink Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes: Now that the new year is just around the corner, you might be setting some resolutions. Until then, make these cupcakes to get your fill of tasty, albeit naughty, treats. (via Handmade Charlotte)

Peppermint Bark Popcorn: This Christmas Eve, curl up with a Christmas classic and nom on this peppermint-inspired popcorn. Drizzle it with melted chocolate for extra sweetness. (via Cooking Classy)

Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Shortbread Cookies: Buttery shortbread cookies are a holiday favorite. You can make them even more celebration-worthy by dipping them in chocolate and crushed candy canes. (via Paper & Stitch)

Peppermint Bark Fudge: What says Christmastime more than the combination of peppermint and chocolate? Employing two kinds of chocolate, peppermint extract, sweetened condensed milk, and a candy-cane topping, this fudge makes a sweet stocking stuffer. (via Baker by Nature)

Pink Peppermint Bark Macarons: This tempting version of the French dessert is filled with chocolate-peppermint ganache and rolled in crushed candy canes. (via How Sweet Eats)

Cookies and Cream Peppermint Ice Cream Cake: Who knew that making your own ice cream cake at home could be so easy and look this festive? Use storebought ice cream and cake mix, and it will still cost a fraction of what your local scoop shop would charge. (via Brit + Co)

Candy Cane Snowball Cookies: Instead of rolling these nutty, buttery Mexican wedding cookies in powdered sugar, dunk them in white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes for party-worthy bites. (via Well Plated by Erin)

Learn how toLight It Up with our tips and DIYs that create new spins on old traditions. We keep the best but tweak the rest so you can have a memorable experience that’s uniquely you.

Learn how toLight It Up with our tips and DIYs that create new spins on old traditions. We keep the best but tweak the rest so you can have a memorable experience that’s uniquely you.

For even MORE holiday dessert and co*cktail recipes, follow us on Pinterest.

Learn how toLight It Up with our tips and DIYs that create new spins on old traditions. We keep the best but tweak the rest so you can have a memorable experience that’s uniquely you.

Learn how toLight It Up with our tips and DIYs that create new spins on old traditions. We keep the best but tweak the rest so you can have a memorable experience that’s uniquely you.

For even MORE holiday dessert and co*cktail recipes, follow us on Pinterest.

Additional reporting by Justina Huddleston, Maggie McCracken, and Sara Cagle