20 Peppermint Recipes That Are Perfect for the Holidays (2024)

If there’s one flavor that screams Christmas, it is definitely peppermint. The minty coolness of peppermint extract or crushed candy canes instantly breathes new life into the usual cakes, cookies and even milkshakes. If you can’t get enough of that classic minty flavor, then you’ve come to right place. We’ve compiled a list of 20 of the best peppermint recipes just for you. Keep scrolling and tell your tummy not to growl too loud.

1. Peppermint Ribbon Cake: This dish will instantly dress up your dessert table. A classic white cake mix is infused with peppermint extract and topped with a thick white glaze. Take it a step further and alternate layers of plain batter and batter dyed with red food coloring for a fun candy cane effect when the cake is sliced. (via Living Well Mom)

2. Peppermint Chocolate Cookies: Bake up a batch of chewy chocolate fudge cookies and cover them in peppermint buttercream frosting. Make sure you save a few for Santa, even though they’re so tasty you’ll want to keep them all for yourself. (via 2 Teaspoons)

3. Boozy Double Chocolate Milkshake: Ice cream and milkshakes need love too, especially in the wintertime. The cool mint in this double chocolate shake comes from a shot of peppermint liqueur, paired with homemade fudge sauce and rich vanilla bean ice cream. (via F &B Department)

4. Peppermint Puppy Chow: Stash bowls of this grab-and-go snack around your house during the holidays and your guests will keep coming back for more. To help with party prep, make a big batch a few days before your holiday party and store it in an airtight container for up to a week. No promises that it’ll last that long though. (via My Dish Is Bomb)

5. Chocolate Peppermint Cake: If you’re a dark chocolate lover, prepare to go crazy for this cake. To start, the three-layer dark chocolate and mint masterpiece is layered with spoonfuls of peppermint cream cheese frosting, then topped with peppermint swirled meringues. Making the meringues might seem like a lot of extra work, but the presentation once it’s put together is hard to beat. (via The Kitchen McCabe)

6. Candy Cane Brownie Trifle: Make your trifle feel even fancier by serving it in wine glasses. The individual servings allow everyone to enjoy it at the same time. (via The Food Charlatan)

7. Sugar Cookies WithChocolate Ganache: Sometimes the best desserts are the simplest ones. From the straight-to-the-point sugar cookies to an almost instant chocolate ganache, this will quickly become a tried and true favorite. (via Hungry Curious)

8. Peppermint Bundt Cake: Peppermint chocolate sauce poured over a chocolate bundt cake makes a dessert that is so sweet and so irresistible, you couldn’t stop yourself from getting seconds if you tried. In fact, go ahead and make two, because the first one will be gone before you know it. (via Brit + Co)

9. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate: Change out your typical hot chocolate for one made with white chocolate chips and both vanilla and peppermint extracts. It might be cold outside, but this drink will warm you right to the core. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes, then it’s pinkies up! (via Gimme Some Oven)

10. Peppermint Shortbread Cookies: Use up your leftover candy canes by sprinkling them over chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies. This is a great recipe to make with your kids since there is plenty of room for little fingers to hold on while dipping. (via Whisk and Wander)

11. Peppermint Oreo Cheesecake: From the Oreo crumb crust to the crunchy peppermint topping, this dessert gets better with every bite. And since it’s completely no-bake, you’ll have time to look as polished as this dessert when you arrive for the party. (via Inside BruCrew Life)

12. Candy Cane Fudge: You’re only four ingredients away from the most magnificent fudge you’ve ever had. The only problem is you’ll have wait four hours to dig in while it sets in the fridge. (via Mom.Me)

13. Peppermint Cheesecake Dip: A good dip is the ultimate appetizer for a group. This one, made with cream cheese, peppermint fluff and peppermint chips, goes with anything from pretzels to graham crackers. Wherever it goes, your guests will be sure to follow. (via A Pumpkin and a Princess)

14. Quadruple Chocolate Cake: Calling all choco-holics, this recipe is for you. The extra moist cake is covered in a thick chocolate ganache and topped with chocolate peppermint bark. And yes, it does taste just as good as it looks. (via Frost and Serve)

15. Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows: Get your kids involved with this easy recipe. Insert paper straws into giant sized marshmallows and dip into your choice of toppings. Wrap them in cellophane, tie with a bow and you’ve got the perfect gift for your neighbors, teacher and even your mail carrier. (via Mom 4 Real)

16. Peppermint Buttercream Cupcakes: These festive cupcakes are just the right combination of chocolate and mint. The secret ingredient that pulls everything together is actually a cup of Coca-Cola. The decadent peppermint buttercream is just the icing on the cake cupcake. (via Grandbaby Cakes)

17. Peppermint Toffee: Now you can have your holiday co*cktail and eat it too. Peppermint schnapps is infused right in the toffee, poured over saltine crackers and topped with your favorite candies. Enjoy responsibly ;) (via Brit + Co)

18. Peppermint Bark: When it comes to dessert, this is about as easy as it gets. If you can handle melting chocolate (microwave in 30-second increments or go the double-boiler route) then you can knock this out of the park. Once the chocolate is fully hardened, break into pieces and nosh away. (via Bare Feet in the Kitchen)

19. Peppermint Ice Cream Cake: An ice cream cake is the perfect dessert for those of us spending the holidays in a warm climate who want to indulge in traditional Christmas flavors. Freeze your cake for 60-90 minutes before serving and watch it disappear in seconds. (via Brit + Co)

20. Peppermint Rice Krispies: Kick your standard rice krispies treat recipe up a notch by using peppermint marshmallows. Prepare the treats as usual and top with crushed candy cane and a chocolate drizzle. Yum! (via A Cultivated Nest)

Which peppermint recipe are you going to make first? Drop us a line — we’d love to hear how it turned out.