8 Delicious Ways to Use Peppermint in Your Holiday Baking

Peppermint is a classic flavor of the holiday season, and there’s so much more to it than just plain old candy canes! Take your peppermint love from candy to delectable dessert with these delicious recipes!

When it comes to peppermint desserts, it’s all about finding the right balance between cool, crisp peppermint and all the other flavors, like chocolate and vanilla. These delicious dishes will make you the hit of any holiday gathering!

Peppermint Candy Double Chocolate Cookies

It’s the simple things that make these Peppermint Candy Double Chocolate Cookies so delightful. Start with a cookie batter that uses both cocoa powder and actual chocolate for a rich, super-chocolaty flavor.

Then, add chocolate chips and chunks of peppermint candy, and you’ve got the kind of cookie that everyone will want the recipe for this holiday season.

No-Bake Peppermint Mocha Cheesecake

Looking for a recipe that seems complex and gourmet, but actually is pretty easy to make? Try this No-Bake Peppermint Mocha Cheesecake. A chocolate cookie crust forms the base for this dessert.

It’s then filled with a rich, cream cheese filling that also includes peppermint, chocolate truffles, dark chocolate, and a handful of other ingredients. Top it all off with a peppermint mocha ganache for a gorgeously glossy finish. You can also add more chocolate and crushed peppermints on top.

For this kind of cheesecake, you’ll need a good springform pan to layer, chill, and mold it, and then release it smoothly. We love the Nordic Ware Nine-Inch Pan for its leakproof, durable carbon-steel construction. It’ll also provide even heating when you bake other goodies.

Gooey Chocolate Peppermint Bread Pudding

Classic bread pudding gets a holiday twist with this Gooey Chocolate Peppermint recipe. You start with that classic and simple bread base, but then, you upgrade it with a chocolate peppermint egg custard.

Add a drizzle of creamy icing and plenty of chocolate chunks, and this rich, ooey-gooey dessert has just gone from plain and basic to chocolate perfection!

If you don’t already have some, get yourself a set of ramekins to serve up this recipe, as well as ice cream, broths, and soups!

Chocolate-Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

Who doesn’t love a classic thumbprint cookie? This Chocolate-Peppermint recipe puts a wintery spin on the childhood classic. A chocolate cookie with more chocolate chips forms the base.

Then, the “thumbprint” well in the center is filled with sweet, melted chocolate and topped with crushed peppermint for a holiday twist.

To make these cookies, it’ll help to have a cookie scoop so you can ensure a uniform, beautifully rounded batch. Pick up the JSDOIN Scoop Set, which is made especially for cookies. You get three different-sized scoops, all with an easy-release mechanism.

Easy Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Fudge is a holiday staple, so why not upgrade it with a peppermint twist? This Easy Chocolate Peppermint Fudge is deliciously creamy and incredibly easy to make.

There are two sources of peppermint in this recipe for maximum flavor: extract in the fudge and some crushed bits on top. The colorful crushed peppermint topping not only adds some texture and more flavor, but it’s also just plain fun and festive.

Peppermint Mocha Bundt Cake

Get into the winter spirit with this rich, delicious Peppermint Mocha Bundt Cake! The base is a moist, tender chocolate cake that includes sour cream for awesome texture. Espresso powder both intensifies the chocolate, while also adding a hint of coffee flavor.

Then, it’s all topped with a glossy peppermint chocolate glaze and crushed peppermint candy.

A reliable Bundt pan, like this one from Nordic Ware, is exactly what you need to make this simple, but elegant, cake. It’s made of cast aluminum to ensure even heating every time. The nonstick coating will also help you avoid that frustrating moment when a bit of molded cake gets stuck to the pan.

Peppermint Whoopie Pies

Combine a cakey, chocolate exterior with a creamy, minty middle, and you’ve got a recipe for a perfect peppermint treat. These Peppermint Whoopie Pies start out as soft, moist chocolate cakes with just a bit of cracking on top for that homemade feel.

A sweet peppermint buttercream filling balances the sweet vanilla and cool peppermint flavors. The edges are then rolled in crushed candies to add a hint of crunch.

The key to getting the texture of these just right is cooling them thoroughly before you assemble them. If you don’t, the filling will just melt and slide right out.

If you don’t already have a cooling rack, this three-tier set from Wilton is perfect for the holidays. It allows you to cool multiple batches of treats simultaneously. Plus, it folds down for easy, compact storage.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

The simple chocolate cookie gets a fancy upgrade with this Double Chocolate Peppermint recipe. Essentially, they’re just a delicious, relatively simple chocolate cookie with some chocolate chips added.

To make these a bit more special, though, you half-dip them in a white-chocolate peppermint coating, and then roll them in crushed peppermint pieces. This is what creates the perfect combination of sweet, cool, soft, and crunchy in one pretty cookie package.

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Nothing says the holidays quite like the cool, refreshing taste of peppermint, and any of these delicious desserts are sure to deliver the season’s greetings in spades! Still need some more peppermint in your life? How about some very merry candy cane cocktails?