Candy Cane Treats: 15 Festive Recipes Inspired by a Family Shop Still Pulling Canes by Hand Since 1933

These candy cane treats start with a story that has charmed millions of people this season. Logan’s Candies, a family candy shop in Ontario, California, has been making candy canes by hand since 1933, and its video of the process has been watched more than 1.8 million times on YouTube. Watching a glowing rope of hot sugar turn into a striped cane is pure Christmas magic. We cannot all pull sugar at home, but we can bring that same red and white joy into our kitchens. Below you will see how the shop does it, with an easy home recipe on every slide that uses crushed or whole candy canes, from meringue kisses and fudge to milkshakes, cupcakes and a cherry twist bread. Grab a box of candy canes and let’s get started..

How One Family Shop Has Made Candy Cane Treats by Hand Since 1933

In Ontario, California, Logan’s Candies has been turning sugar into candy canes the slow way for more than 90 years. Every cane starts as a hot batch of syrup, gets pulled and striped on a warm table, then is twisted and bent into its famous hook by hand, one at a time. Their holiday video showing the whole process passed 1.8 million views, and people keep sharing it because it feels like watching a piece of old Christmas. The Los Angeles Magazine profile of the shop tells how the family has kept the tradition going for generations..

You will need: 6 to 8 regular candy canes, a sturdy zip-top bag, a rolling pin and a small bowl.

How to make it: 1. Unwrap the candy canes and place them in the zip-top bag. 2. Squeeze out the air and seal it. 3. Tap with the rolling pin until you have small pieces, then roll over them a few times for finer crumbs. 4. Keep the crushed candy in an airtight jar, because almost every treat below starts with it.

Step One: Cooking the Sugar in a Copper Kettle

A real candy cane begins in a copper kettle. Sugar, water and corn syrup are boiled until most of the water is gone and the syrup reaches the hard crack stage, around 300°F. Two candy makers then tip the heavy kettle and pour the golden syrup onto a thick table, where it spreads into a glassy pool. This is the dangerous part, which is why it is best left to the pros, and why handmade candy cane treats feel so special. At home, you can borrow the same idea in a much gentler way by melting crushed canes into a sweet syrup.

You will need: 1 cup crushed candy canes, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and a clean glass jar.

How to make it: 1. Add the water, sugar and crushed candy canes to a small saucepan. 2. Warm over medium heat, stirring, until everything dissolves, about 5 minutes. 3. Let it cool completely. 4. Pour into the jar and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Stir a spoonful into hot cocoa, coffee or milk.

Step Two: Pulling, Striping and Rolling the Candy

Once the syrup cools enough to handle, part of it is colored red and the rest is pulled over and over until it turns bright white and fluffy. The red pieces are pressed onto the white log in neat stripes, then the candy maker rolls the whole thing while it stays warm on the table. From that log, thin ropes are pulled, twisted, cut and bent into hooks by hand before the candy sets. Most homemade candy cane treats skip this step entirely. You can get the same pretty red and white look on your mugs and glasses with a quick candy cane sugar rim.

You will need: 1/4 cup crushed candy canes, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons melted white chocolate or honey and 4 mugs or glasses.

How to make it: 1. Blitz the crushed candy canes and sugar in a small blender until fine and sparkly. 2. Spread the mix on a small plate. 3. Dip the rim of each mug into the white chocolate or honey. 4. Press the rim into the candy sugar and turn to coat. 5. Let it set for 10 minutes before filling.

Sweden’s Polkagris, the Hand-Pulled Cousin of the Candy Cane

Candy canes have a famous cousin in Sweden. In the town of Gränna, a widow named Amalia Eriksson began making striped peppermint sticks called polkagris back in 1859, and shops there still pull them by hand today. The white candy is stretched on a metal hook again and again, which traps tiny air bubbles and gives it that soft white shine. That airy, fluffy idea inspired this cloud of candy cane whipped cream, which you can spoon onto pies, cocoa, waffles and every dessert in this list.

You will need: 1 cup cold heavy cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and 3 tablespoons finely crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Chill a bowl and whisk for 10 minutes. 2. Pour in the cream, powdered sugar and peppermint extract. 3. Whip on medium high until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. 4. Fold in the crushed candy canes just before serving so they stay crunchy and pink.

Candy Cane Meringue Kisses That Melt on Your Tongue

These little striped kisses look like they came from a fancy bakery, but they only need egg whites, sugar and a little red gel color. The trick is painting stripes inside the piping bag before you fill it, so every meringue comes out swirled like a candy cane. They bake low and slow until crisp outside and light as air inside, then melt the second they hit your tongue. Pile them in a jar as a gift, or tuck them around a cake. Of all the candy cane treats here, these are the prettiest.

You will need: 3 large egg whites at room temperature, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and red gel food color.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 225°F and line two trays with parchment. 2. Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar to soft peaks. 3. Add the sugar one spoon at a time and beat to stiff, glossy peaks, then add the extract. 4. Paint 3 red stripes inside a piping bag, fill it and pipe small kisses. 5. Bake 1 hour, then turn off the oven and let them dry inside for 1 more hour.

White Chocolate Candy Cane Popcorn for Movie Night

This is the snack that disappears first at every Christmas movie night, and one of the cheapest candy cane treats you can make. Fluffy popcorn gets tossed with melted white chocolate, then showered with crushed candy cane while it is still wet, so every handful is sweet, salty, creamy and crunchy at once. A thin drizzle of red candy melts makes it look festive in seconds. It takes about 15 minutes, needs no oven and packs beautifully into cellophane bags for teachers, neighbors and anyone who needs a little cheer.

You will need: 10 cups plain popped popcorn, 10 ounces white chocolate chips, 1/2 cup crushed candy canes, 1/4 cup red candy melts and a pinch of sea salt.

How to make it: 1. Spread the popcorn on a parchment-lined sheet pan. 2. Melt the white chocolate in 30 second bursts in the microwave, stirring well. 3. Drizzle it over the popcorn and toss gently to coat. 4. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and salt right away. 5. Melt the red candy melts, drizzle on top and let it set 20 minutes before breaking into clusters.

Candy Cane Treats for the Cookie Tray: Iced Sugar Cookies

Every cookie tray needs a few cookies shaped like candy canes, and these are the easiest kind. Soft sugar cookie dough is cut into hooks, baked until just set, then striped with red and white icing and a pinch of sprinkles. Kids love helping with the stripes, and nobody minds if they are a little wobbly. If you love the classic twisted dough version, you will find it in our peppermint treats gallery, so this year you can have both on the same plate.

You will need: 1 batch sugar cookie dough, a candy cane cookie cutter or a paper template, 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, red gel color and sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick and cut out candy cane shapes. 2. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes and let them cool. 3. Whisk the powdered sugar and milk into a thick icing. 4. Ice the cookies white and let them set 15 minutes. 5. Tint some icing red, pipe diagonal stripes and add sprinkles.

Vanilla Candy Cane Cupcakes With Crunchy Tops

Simple vanilla cupcakes become a holiday showstopper with one easy trick: crushed candy cane inside the batter and on top of the frosting. The little pieces melt slightly while baking and leave pretty pink speckles in every bite. A swirl of fluffy buttercream and a dusting of candy cane crumbs finish them off, and a mini cane on top makes them look like they came from a bakery. They are perfect for class parties because they are easy to carry, and they are the candy cane treats kids ask for first.

You will need: 1 box white or vanilla cake mix plus the eggs, oil and water it calls for, 1/2 cup crushed candy canes, 1 tub vanilla frosting and 12 mini candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350°F and line a 12 cup muffin pan. 2. Mix the batter as the box says, then fold in 1/4 cup crushed candy canes. 3. Fill the liners two thirds full and bake 18 to 20 minutes. 4. Cool completely, swirl on the frosting and sprinkle with the rest of the crushed candy. 5. Top each with a mini candy cane.

The Over-the-Top Candy Cane Milkshake

This is the kind of drink that makes everyone at the table reach for their phone. Vanilla ice cream gets blended with crushed candy canes and a splash of milk, then poured into a glass dripping with melted white chocolate. A big swirl of whipped cream, a few pink marshmallows and a whole candy cane hooked over the rim turn it into a holiday party in a glass. It is rich, cold and minty, so make it the dessert, not the side. Candy cane treats do not get more dramatic than this.

You will need: 3 big scoops vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup cold milk, 3 tablespoons crushed candy canes, 2 tablespoons melted white chocolate, whipped cream, marshmallows and 1 candy cane.

How to make it: 1. Drizzle the melted white chocolate around the inside rim of a tall glass and chill it 5 minutes. 2. Blend the ice cream, milk and 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes until thick and smooth. 3. Pour into the glass. 4. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows and the rest of the crushed candy. 5. Hook a candy cane on the side and serve with a straw.

Chocolate-Filled Candy Cane Hearts

Two candy canes placed hook to hook make a perfect little heart, and that simple trick has become one of the most shared Christmas treat ideas online. Fill the middle with melted chocolate, add a few sprinkles and let it set, and you have a sweet that looks like it took hours. They make adorable cookie tray fillers, cupcake toppers and gift tags. Mini candy canes work best because they fit in one bite, and these candy cane treats are a fun job for little helpers.

You will need: 24 mini candy canes, 1 cup semi-sweet or white chocolate chips, red and green sprinkles and a parchment-lined tray.

How to make it: 1. Unwrap the candy canes and place them in pairs on the parchment, hooks touching, to form hearts. 2. Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave. 3. Spoon a little chocolate into the center of each heart until it is filled. 4. Add sprinkles right away. 5. Chill 15 minutes until firm, then peel off the parchment.

White Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Treats for Gifting

If you need a last-minute gift that still looks thoughtful, this is it. Plain candy canes get dipped halfway into creamy white chocolate, then rolled in crushed candy or sprinkles. Tie three together with a ribbon and they become cocoa stirrers, gift toppers or stocking stuffers. You can also dip them in dark chocolate first and drizzle white chocolate on top for a fancy two-tone look. A dozen takes about 20 minutes, and these candy cane treats keep for weeks in a cool spot.

You will need: 12 candy canes, 8 ounces white chocolate, 1/4 cup crushed candy canes or sprinkles, a tall glass and parchment paper.

How to make it: 1. Melt the white chocolate in a tall glass in 30 second bursts, stirring each time. 2. Dip each candy cane about halfway, letting the extra drip off. 3. Sprinkle with crushed candy or sprinkles while wet. 4. Lay them on parchment and chill 10 minutes. 5. Wrap in small cellophane bags with a ribbon.

Cherry Candy Cane Twist Bread for Christmas Morning

This pretty bread is an old church bake sale favorite that deserves a comeback. Soft sweet dough is shaped into a big hook, filled with bright cherry jam and braided so the red filling peeks through like stripes on a candy cane. After baking, a thin vanilla glaze and a pinch of crushed candy finish it off. Of all the candy cane treats here, this is the one for brunch. Using store-bought dough makes it easy enough for Christmas morning, and it looks gorgeous in the middle of the breakfast table.

You will need: 2 tubes refrigerated crescent dough or 1 pound pizza dough, 3/4 cup cherry jam, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375°F and line a sheet pan. 2. Shape the dough into a long rectangle, then curve it into a candy cane hook on the pan. 3. Spread the jam down the middle, cut slanted strips along both sides and fold them over the filling like a braid. 4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden. 5. Mix the powdered sugar and milk, drizzle over the warm bread and sprinkle with crushed candy.

Two-Ingredient White Chocolate Candy Cane Fudge

This creamy fudge is the treat people always ask for the recipe for, and they never believe how easy it is. White chocolate and sweetened condensed milk melt together into a smooth base, a little pink swirl goes on top, and crushed candy cane gets pressed in before it sets. No candy thermometer, no stress and no special pan. Cut it into small squares, because it is rich, and stack it in tins with your other candy cane treats for gifting.

You will need: 3 cups white chocolate chips, 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, red gel color and 1/2 cup crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment. 2. Melt the chips and condensed milk together over low heat, stirring until smooth. 3. Stir in the extract and pour into the pan. 4. Drop dots of red gel on top and swirl with a toothpick. 5. Press the crushed candy canes on top and chill 3 hours before cutting.

Candy Cane Treats in a Jar: Hot Cocoa Gift Set

A cozy cocoa gift set is one of the sweetest things you can hand a neighbor, and candy canes make it feel extra special. Layer homemade cocoa mix and mini marshmallows in a jar, tuck in a candy cane to use as a stirrer and add a few cookies on the side. When your friend stirs the hot cocoa with the cane, it melts slowly and turns every sip a little minty. It costs very little and looks like a gift from a boutique, which is why candy cane treats in a jar sell out at every holiday market.

You will need: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 cup dry milk powder, a pinch of salt, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 4 candy canes and 4 small jars.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the powdered sugar, cocoa, milk powder and salt together. 2. Divide the mix between the jars. 3. Top each with mini marshmallows. 4. Tie a candy cane to each jar with ribbon. 5. Add a tag: stir 1/3 cup mix into 1 cup hot milk and use the candy cane to stir.

What to Do With Broken Candy Canes: Crispy Rice Treats

Every box of candy canes ends with a few broken ones, and even candy shops sell bags of pieces after the holidays. Never throw them out. The easiest way to use them up is a pan of chewy crispy rice treats with crushed candy cane stirred right into the marshmallow. They turn pale pink, taste like Christmas and are ready in 15 minutes. A drizzle of white chocolate on top makes them look as festive as any candy cane treats in the shop window.

You will need: 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 1 bag (10 ounces) mini marshmallows, 3 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup crushed candy canes and 1/2 cup melted white chocolate.

How to make it: 1. Butter a 9×13 inch pan. 2. Melt the butter in a large pot, add the marshmallows and stir until smooth. 3. Take it off the heat and stir in 1/3 cup crushed candy canes and the cereal. 4. Press into the pan with buttered hands. 5. Drizzle with white chocolate, sprinkle with the rest of the candy and cut once set.