6 Peppermint Recipes That Will Keep The Holidays Feeling Fresh And Fun

Elizabeth Stark

Christmas is the one time of the year when it’s socially acceptable to eat chocolate for breakfast and to go through multiple batches of cookies during the span of a week. Even those among us who usually don’t consider ourselves to have a strong sweet tooth crave gooey baked goods around the holidays. One flavor that makes every dish more festive and sweet (not to mention totally Instagrammable) is peppermint.

If you’re looking to add more peppermint to your life this holiday season, we’ve got the perfect recipes for you. Below you’ll find six yummy peppermint-based recipes that’ll make even your grumpiest relative smile at the holiday dinner table. Whether you’re an experienced cook or someone who relies on the microwave to make meals, we’ve got something for you on this list. Enjoy!

1. Peppermint Bark

Brown Eyed Baker

Nothing screams “Christmas” quite like peppermint bark made by layering white chocolate with dark chocolate and topping it all with candy cane pieces. It’s festive and actually quite simple to make. This Peppermint Bark recipe from Brown Eyed Baker will only take you half an hour to make. Melt dark chocolate, slather it on a baking sheet and let it set in the refrigerator. Then top it with melted white chocolate and crushed candy canes — and voilà! You’ll have a Christmassy dessert that’ll last through New Year’s Eve. It’s recommended that you use high-quality chocolate for this recipe, like Ghirardelli, Lindt, Callebaut or Valrhona, so that it’ll melt to perfection and end up tasting delicious.

2. Peppermint White Russian

A Beautiful Mess

This is the perfect cocktail to enjoy on Christmas or New Year’s Eve. The combination of the classic creamy white of White Russians and the festive red of peppermint sticks makes it an ideal holiday libation. Try this Peppermint White Russian recipe from A Beautiful Mess that requires only four ingredients. It’s made with Kahlua, peppermint vodka, a splash of half and half and peppermint sticks for garnish. Bonus: It’s highly Instagrammable.

3. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Pancakes

Destination Delish

If you’re truly looking to indulge on Christmas morning, you’ll want to make a batch of these Peppermint Hot Chocolate Pancakes. The recipe, which is from Destination Delish, combines your three favorite things: peppermint, chocolate and fluffy pancakes. The pancake batter is made with Greek yogurt instead of butter so the dish packs a good punch of protein. The syrup is made with melted chocolate chips and a tiny drop of peppermint extract. Then you’ll add crushed candy canes to garnish. You’ll probably spend most of the afternoon in a sugar-induced coma, but it’ll totally be worth it (kind of).

4. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

Cooktoria

This Starbucks-inspired Peppermint White Hot Chocolate recipe from Cooktoria is made exclusively for true sweet tooths. It’ll only take you seven minutes to make it and all you’ll need is milk, white chocolate pieces, peppermint extract, whipped cream and crushed peppermint candy for garnish. It’s the perfect festive drink for snuggling up under a heavy blanket and reading a good book.

5. Peppermint Patty Chocolate Cookies

Averie Cooks

If you can’t pick a side in the chocolate chip vs. sugar cookie debate, expand your horizons and opt to bake these Peppermint Patty Chocolate Cookies instead this holiday season. The recipe from Averie Cooks requires only 10 minutes of prep time. You’ll get a batch of fudgy cookies that are super soft and moist on the inside but crunchy around the edges. The chocolate chip and cocoa powder filling make them a chocolate lover’s dream come true. The peppermint patties used to garnish the cookies give them that unique minty flavor that we all crave during the holidays.

6. Chocolate Peppermint Swiss Roll

Elizabeth Stark

The Swiss Roll, also known as Bûche de Noël, is a cake that’s traditionally enjoyed during the holidays in France, Switzerland, Belgium and Quebec. This Chocolate Peppermint Swiss Roll recipe variety from Simply Recipes calls for swapping out the regular whipped cream filling for festive peppermint whipped cream and topping the cake with crushed peppermint candy. In addition to the whipped cream, the cake is made with rich chocolate ganache. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any holiday dinner table.

RELATED

7 Easy, Festive Dishes To Bring To Your Next Holiday Party

This App Makes Holiday Shopping Easy, Affordable And Productive

7 Fun Christmas Foods From Around The World