Christmas is almost here, and with it come boxes of beautiful, classic, red-and-white candy canes. 

They’re pretty, but the family rarely eats them all. And those canes probably shouldn’t spend the next year in storage. The Refine staff took to the web to find and test five delightful recipes that put those peppermint sticks to delicious use.

Enjoy!

Peppermint bark cookies

Imagine soft, fudgy chocolate cookies topped with creamy white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes. These treats perfectly capture the essence of the holidays. The key is to bake the cookies until just set at the edges, allowing them to firm up on the baking sheet for that irresistible brownie-like texture.

Candy cane brownie trifle

I can’t get enough of homemade whipped cream. Add your candy canes and a rich chocolate brownie, and you have a winning Christmas dessert centerpiece. It’s a showstopping delight that’s surprisingly easy to assemble and sure to impress at any gathering.

Peppermint hot chocolate cookies

These beautiful cookies bake up soft and thick with all the cozy flavors of hot chocolate. Topped with dark chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, they’re a festive treat perfect for the season.

Candy cane chocolate swirl fudge

This delightful fudge combines the rich flavors of chocolate with the refreshing crunch of candy canes. It’s a festive treat that’s surprisingly simple to make and perfect for sharing.

Candy cane sugar cookie truffles

Smooth and creamy, these truffles are infused with the sweet crunch of candy canes. Dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with more candy cane pieces, they’re an indulgent bite-sized treat that’s perfect for the holidays.

There you have it—five festive ways to turn those candy canes into holiday magic. Happy baking!