Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
You buy candy canes every year to decorate, but after one or two, do the rest end up trashed? Use them to create New Year's party bites instead. This is also a tasty way to use leftover fruit-flavored candy canes and various hard candies!
Mint Hot Chocolate: Add cocoa mix and crushed candy canes to very, very hot water. Stir periodically to melt the candy and blend the chocolate, then cool to perfect drinking temperature before serving.
Candy Cane Cookies: Cream 1 cup butter and 3/4 cup each white and light brown sugar. Add 2 eggs, 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon each vanilla, salt, baking soda, and water. Mix until incorporated, but don't over mix. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Shape dough as desired. Bake 9-11 minutes at 375 degrees. After baking, top with crushed candy canes, mixed with a little white sugar. Chocolate Mint Variation: Drizzle with melted chocolate just before sprinkling with crushed candy canes and sugar.
Peppermint Bark: Melt 12 ounces chocolate chips (white or milk) in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until smooth. Take care not to scorch chocolate. Quickly stir in 1 teaspoon peppermint extract and spread evenly on a foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes, and press them into the chocolate. Refrigerate until firm, then break into pieces.
Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies: Cream together 3/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup each white and brown sugar. Add 1 egg, 1 teaspoon each vanilla and peppermint extract. In a separate bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually combine all ingredients. Mix in 12 ounces chocolate chips and 1/2 cup crushed candy canes. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets; bake for 9-10 minutes at 350 degrees.
A few more ideas you can find recipes online for:
- Add to cake or cookie frosting.
- Melt and drizzle over popcorn.
- Make various kinds of fudge.
- Add to crispy cereal treats.
- Make a variety of cheesecakes.
- Flavor a special fruit dip.
