12 Peppermint Treats That Make December Taste Like Pure Magic

One crunch of a candy cane and suddenly it is December again. Cool, sweet peppermint has a way of making everything feel festive, from a mug of cocoa to a plate of cookies. These peppermint treats are easy, colorful and perfect for gifting, parties or a cozy night in, and every slide has a simple recipe. Planning a full holiday baking day? Add a few of these Christmas cookies that make the whole house smell like the holidays..

Why Peppermint Treats Feel Like Christmas

Peppermint and chocolate are a holiday love story. The cool mint makes rich chocolate taste lighter, and the red and white stripes make any dessert look like it is dressed for a party. That is why peppermint treats fill cookie tins every December. Start with these crinkle cookies: soft, fudgy centers, crackly sugar tops and a sprinkle of crushed candy cane. Are you a cookie dunker or a cookie nibbler?

You will need: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup oil, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, powdered sugar, crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. 2. Mix oil, sugar, eggs and extract, then stir in the dry mix. 3. Chill 1 hour. 4. Roll balls in powdered sugar and bake at 350F for 10 minutes. 5. Press crushed candy cane on top while warm.

Peppermint Bark, the Easiest of All Peppermint Treats

If you can melt chocolate, you can make peppermint bark. A layer of dark chocolate gets topped with white chocolate and a shower of crushed candy canes. Break it into pieces and pack it in bags with ribbon for teachers, neighbors and coworkers. Quick poll: do you like your bark A: thick and chunky or B: thin and snappy?

You will need: 8 oz dark chocolate, 8 oz white chocolate, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, 4 candy canes crushed.

How to make it: 1. Line a sheet pan with parchment. 2. Melt the dark chocolate and spread it thin. 3. Chill 15 minutes until firm. 4. Melt the white chocolate with the extract and spread over the top. 5. Scatter candy canes, chill 30 minutes and break into pieces.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate for Snowy Nights

Of all the peppermint treats you can sip, this is the coziest. Homemade hot chocolate is thicker, creamier and so much better than the packets. A splash of peppermint extract and a candy cane stirrer make it feel like a cafe treat. Pile on marshmallows and you have the perfect drink for watching holiday movies. What is your favorite Christmas movie to watch with a warm mug?

You will need: 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup cream, 4 oz chopped chocolate, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, marshmallows, candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Warm milk and cream in a pot until steaming. 2. Add the chocolate and sugar. 3. Whisk until smooth and glossy. 4. Stir in the peppermint extract. 5. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows and a candy cane.

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows

These are peppermint treats that make great gifts. Store bought marshmallows are fine, but homemade ones are soft as clouds and melt beautifully into cocoa. A few drops of peppermint and a pink swirl make them extra festive. They take a little patience, but kids love watching the mixture turn white and fluffy. Have you ever made candy at home? This is a fun first project.

You will need: 3 packets unflavored gelatin, 1 cup cold water divided, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup corn syrup, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, powdered sugar and cornstarch for dusting.

How to make it: 1. Bloom gelatin in 1/2 cup water in a mixer bowl. 2. Boil sugar, syrup, salt and remaining water to 240F. 3. Pour into the gelatin with the mixer on low. 4. Whip on high 12 minutes and add extract. 5. Spread in a dusted pan, set overnight and cut.

Chocolate Mint Cheesecake

A chocolate cookie crust, a cool mint cheesecake filling and swirls of whipped cream on top make this a showstopper for any holiday dinner. Chopped mint chocolates folded in add little surprises in every bite. It needs to chill overnight, which makes it a perfect make ahead dessert. Would you top it with chocolate curls or crushed candy canes?

You will need: Crust: 24 chocolate sandwich cookies crushed, 4 tablespoons melted butter. Filling: 24 oz cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, 1 cup chopped mint chocolates.

How to make it: 1. Press crust into a springform pan. 2. Beat cream cheese and sugar, then add eggs, sour cream and extract. 3. Fold in mint chocolates and pour over the crust. 4. Bake at 325F for 60 minutes. 5. Cool, chill overnight and top with whipped cream.

Peppermint Brownies, Treats Kids Beg For

These peppermint treats disappear fast at parties. Fudgy brownies get a cool layer of peppermint frosting and a crunchy candy cane topping. They look like they took hours, but they start with a simple one bowl batter. Cut them small, because they are rich. Which would you choose: A: brownie with frosting, B: plain brownie, C: brownie with ice cream, D: just the crunchy top?

You will need: 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, pinch of salt. Frosting: 1/4 cup butter, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract. Topping: crushed candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Bake the brownie batter in an 8 inch pan at 350F for 25 minutes. 2. Cool completely. 3. Beat the frosting ingredients until fluffy. 4. Spread over the brownies. 5. Sprinkle with candy canes and chill before cutting.

Candy Cane Twist Cookies

These cookies are shaped like little candy canes. You roll one plain rope of dough and one red rope, twist them together and bend the top into a hook. Kids love helping with this one, and every cookie turns out a little different. They look so cute on a cookie plate next to a festive mug. How many twists can you make before you get tired?

You will need: 1 cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, red food coloring.

How to make it: 1. Beat butter and sugar, then add egg and extracts. 2. Mix in flour and salt. 3. Divide the dough and color half red. 4. Roll thin ropes, twist one red and one white, and bend into a cane. 5. Bake at 375F for 9 minutes.

No Churn Mint Chip Ice Cream

You do not need an ice cream maker for this one. Whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk freeze into a smooth, scoopable ice cream. A little peppermint and a lot of chopped chocolate make it taste like the classic mint chip from the ice cream shop. Do you like your mint ice cream green or natural white?

You will need: 2 cups heavy cream, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, 2 drops green food coloring optional, 1 cup chopped dark chocolate.

How to make it: 1. Whip the cream to stiff peaks. 2. Stir the extract and coloring into the condensed milk. 3. Gently fold in the whipped cream. 4. Fold in the chocolate. 5. Freeze in a loaf pan for 6 hours, then scoop into cones or waffle bowls.

Homemade Peppermint Candies, Old Fashioned Treats

Grandma always had a dish of red and white mints by the door. You can make soft melt away mints at home with just a few ingredients, and they are perfect for wedding favors, holiday trays or after dinner. Wrap them in cellophane for that old fashioned look. Did your grandparents keep a candy dish too?

You will need: 4 oz cream cheese softened, 1 tablespoon butter, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, 4 cups powdered sugar, red food coloring.

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, butter and extract. 2. Add the powdered sugar slowly until a soft dough forms. 3. Tint half the dough red. 4. Roll small balls of each color and press them together. 5. Flatten with a fork and let dry for a few hours.

Candy Cane Pretzel Bites

Some of the best peppermint treats are the simplest. Sweet, salty, crunchy and minty all at once, these little bites take ten minutes and use only three ingredients. Mini pretzels get topped with melted white chocolate and crushed candy cane. They are a great last minute party snack or a fun job for little helpers. Would you try them with dark chocolate instead?

You will need: 1 bag mini pretzel twists, 8 oz white chocolate melting wafers, 4 candy canes finely crushed.

How to make it: 1. Line a sheet pan with parchment and lay out the pretzels. 2. Melt the white chocolate in 30 second bursts. 3. Spoon a little chocolate on each pretzel. 4. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. 5. Chill 10 minutes until set.

Mint Chocolate Cupcakes

Moist chocolate cupcakes are topped with a tall swirl of mint buttercream in a pretty pastel green. Add a mint chocolate square on top and they are ready for a holiday party or a birthday. The frosting is the star, so do not skip the piping bag. Do you eat the frosting first or save it for last?

You will need: 1 box or batch chocolate cupcake batter. Frosting: 1 cup butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, green food coloring.

How to make it: 1. Bake the cupcakes and cool completely. 2. Beat butter until pale. 3. Add powdered sugar, milk and extract. 4. Tint the frosting light green. 5. Pipe tall swirls on each cupcake and top with a mint chocolate.

Peppermint Mocha Treats for Coffee Lovers

Why pay cafe prices when you can make a peppermint mocha at home in five minutes? Strong coffee, warm chocolate milk and a touch of peppermint is all it takes. It is one of those peppermint treats you can enjoy every morning in December. Which recipe from this list are you making first? Tell us in the comments.

You will need: 1 cup strong coffee or 2 shots espresso, 1 cup milk, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, whipped cream, crushed candy cane.

How to make it: 1. Warm the milk with cocoa and sugar, whisking until smooth. 2. Stir in the peppermint extract. 3. Pour the coffee into a tall glass. 4. Add the chocolate milk. 5. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane.