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.
If you’re looking to expand your horizons beyond bark, we’ve got you too. Our candy cane cookies, our white chocolate peppermint blondies, our peppermint meltaways, our peppermint snowballs, and our peppermint meringues all have that biting, sweet taste you love without the (milk) chocolate.
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.
Not a mint fan but still want some creative Christmas ideas? Check out our favorite Christmas cookies, our top holiday cocktails, and our best Christmas cakes too.
Candy Cane Cookies
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!
Get the Candy Cane Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake
With an Oreo crust and ganache topping, this is our favorite cheesecake to make for Christmas. It's like peppermint bark in cheesecake form, and we can't get enough.
Peppermint Bark
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.
Get the Peppermint Bark recipe.
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.
Get the Peppermint Meltaways recipe.
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.
Get the Peppermint Meringues recipe.
Peppermint White Russian
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.
Get the Peppermint White Russian recipe.
Mint Chocolate Chip Pie
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!
Get the Mint Chocolate Chip Pie recipe.
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.
Peppermint Bark Brownies
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.
Get the Peppermint Bark Brownies recipe.
Nutty Peppermint Chocolate Biscotti
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.
Peppermintinis
Peppermint bark fans, meet your match. If you're feeling EXTRA, pair it with our other favorite holiday treat, pretzel peppermint bark. We won't judge.
Get the Peppermintinis recipe.
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.
Brownie Brittle
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!
Get the Brownie Brittle recipe.
Peppermint Patties
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!
Get the Peppermint Patties recipe.
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.
Get the Peppermint Bark Shots recipe.
Peppermint Bark Cheesecake
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.
Get the Peppermint Bark Cheesecake recipe.
Peppermint Bark Mimosas
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.
Get the Peppermint Bark Mimosas recipe.
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.
Get the Peppermint Snowball Cookies recipe.
Peppermint Candy Bowls
You're going to want to serve everything in these adorable mint candy bowls—peppermint ice cream, peppermint bark reindeer chow, peppermint meringues....
Get the Peppermint Candy Bowls recipe.
Oreo Peppermint Bark
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!).
Get the Oreo Peppermint Bark recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
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