Leftover Candy Canes? 12+ Ways to Use Them Up

It’s mid-December, and you’re drowning in red, white & peppermint. What are you going to do with all of those leftover candy canes??!

The first candy cane sighting every Christmas season is one of my favorite sights. Two weeks later, I roll my eyes when I see yet another one. One more week, and I stifle a scream as the candy canes pile up quicker than we can eat them.

If you are seeing mountains of red, white, and peppermint, these easy ideas will help you dig out from under the pile and use up some of those extra candy canes.

• Dissolving candy canes is a simple science experiment for younger kiddos and a great introduction to writing hypotheses and lab reports for older students.

• Even older kids enjoy making peppermint oobleck. Part nostalgia, part fidget toy, part science. Instead of using whole candies, we use peppermint candy cane dust for a stronger, mintier scent. The texture is also better, in our opinion.

• Bend candy canes into new shapes & elaborate designs. Adding candy canes of various colors makes for more interesting creations. For younger kids, this is a great way to explore color mixing.

• For even more science experiments, test how peppermint flavor changes when exposed to heat, water, or room temperature conditions. It’s low effort but feels like a “real” lab day.

BONUS: Finished creations can make a great addition to a hot cocoa bar.

Crushed candy canes + (white, milk, dark) chocolate = one of the easiest & quickest treats.

Peppermint bark has been a December staple in our home since, well, always. I made it for our (dessert-themed) wedding reception in 2000, and I’ve made it almost every year since.

There aren’t specific amounts needed for this; you can really just use what you have & eye it. If you need a guideline, 1 pound of chocolate per 4-6 regular-sized candy canes is a good starting point.

1. Using a food processor or rolling pin, crush your candy canes into small pieces. Set aside.
2. Melt chocolate in the microwave or over a double-boiler. White, milk, or dark chocolate all work well.
3. While the chocolate is melting, line a cookie sheet with wax paper or a silicone mat. You can also use the candy molds made from hard plastic or silicone.
4. Once melted, spread the chocolate onto your baking sheet; then sprinkle the candy cane pieces over top.
5. Let it set & then break apart. If you’re using cndy molds, you may find they release more easily if you place them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.

To recreate the thin, layered bark you find in the metal tins, spread melted chocolate onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Sprinkle crushed candy canes all over and let it set. If you want a layered bark, let the first layer of chocolate cool in the refrigerator. Then add another variety of melted chocolate, followed by the candy cane bits. Let it set.

Imagine your favorite brownies. Or soft sugar cookies. Now imagine it with a layer of peppermint buttercream on top. Mmmm.

This is our favorite buttercream recipe. I just add crushed candy canes (or peppermint extract) to taste. Once your treats are cooled, spread the buttercream on top. A drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkling of candy cane dust makes for a beautiful finishing touch.

(If your favorite brownies come out of a box, great! Pair your favorite brand with this buttercream, and you’ll thank me later.)

Your regular sweet treats are now dressed & ready for a party.

If you’ve got a favorite cookie recipe, just fold in some candy cane dust at the end. It gives everything a minty flavor and turns regular cookies into tasty cookies that feel very holiday-season-approved.

Buttercream also freezes beautifully if you don’t want to use it right away.

Hot cocoa and leftover candy canes are basically soulmates.

• Rim a mug with candy cane dust before you fill it up.
• Top your hot chocolate with mini marshmallows or whipped cream & pieces of candy cane.
• Dip candy canes partway into melted chocolate (any variety!) and let set. Now you’ve got stirrers for your next mug of cocoa or coffee.

If you’ve never made them, marshmallows are actually a pretty easy project, especially if you have a stand mixer. And homemade marshmallows are far tastier than their store-bought counterparts.

Make these peppermint crunch marshmallows on the larger side for gifts or cut them small & plop them into your hot cocoa.

No ice cream machine? No problem.

I’ve even been known to take some crushed-up candy canes with me and add it to a McDonald’s milkshake…right in the drive-thru!

1. Homemade chocolate truffles freeze really well, so make a batch of candy cane truffles to pull out when you’re not so tired of them!
2. Or make a slightly healthier version: candy cane protein balls.
3. Peppermint simple syrup is my daughter’s favorite addition to her morning cup o’ joe. If you entertain over the holidays, this syrup would make a great addition to your bar. (So will this candy cane vodka!) Bonus: You can make both of them in advance.
4. Candy cane popcorn is a favorite in our home. Considering his sugar overdose, it pairs great with the movie Elf!
5. Who doesn’t love Thin Mints? (Well, I don’t. But I seem to be the exception.) These white chocolate thin peppermint cookies look even better!
6. If we get to the point where we can’t even think about eating one more candy cane, I save them to hang on our Christmas tree branches the next year.