Perfect Peppermint Desserts for the Holidays

Candy canes are a classic Christmas staple. Buy a big box of red and white suckers and spread the holiday cheer with these delicious minty desserts. 

In our first recipe, a light, mint-infused cream cheese frosting replaces heavy buttercream for a light holiday bite.

This month, put your workday fuel to more relaxing use. A tiny drop of essential oil gives these chocolaty sippers a peppermint punch, while a cool microwave trick foams the milk, no frother needed. Like to spike? A splash of Kahlua or bourbon makes them all the merrier. Look for peppermint oil at Whole Foods or natural foods stores in the essential oils section. While we love very dark chocolates (80% percent or more), bittersweet works best here, making for rounder, smoother flavor.

When a soft, fudgy cookie meets crunchy candy cane shards, it's a match made in heaven. Don't underestimate the beauty of a simple cardboard hat box (find one at your local craft store). Add a pop of color with a bright ribbon, and tag the recipe with a handwritten greeting.

Brushing melted ice cream into the pie plate "glues" the crust into place. Crushed chocolate wafers create the crust, while whole cookies define the edges of the pie.

Enjoy the classic combination of chocolate and peppermint all year long in this simple, yet oh-so-good cookie recipe. For just 103 calories, you can taste all the deliciousness of a rich, minty flavor, without all the extra calories and fat. Bake until slightly underdone and allow to cool on the baking sheet for irresistibly soft, gooey cookies.

The peppermint candies should be coarsely crushed in a large zip-top plastic bag by lightly tapping them with a rolling pin or heavy skillet (a food processor would just pulverize them). You can substitute regular unsweetened cocoa powder in the cookies.

These moist bars feature the seasonal pairing of peppermint and chocolate. They're sure to be a hit with everyone—children included—at your holiday party.

Why go out and buy an ice cream cake when you can make one? The peppermint ice cream makes this cake unique, and the crushed peppermints on top make for a pretty presentation. Surprise a friend on their birthday or bring this festive cake to a Christmas party.

Candy canes are everywhere this time of year, so put them to use in your cooking. This recipe blends them into chocolate chip ice cream to top a dense and chocolaty brownie. A hint of coffee flavor makes the brownie itself unique, and the minty topping is a sure-fire hit. If you really love peppermint, substitute mint chip ice cream for an extra dose of minty flavor.

Crushed peppermint candies turn this ice cream a soft pink. This is a great make-ahead recipe; if it's frozen solid, remove it from the freezer 30 minutes before serving so it can soften.

After the kids have enjoyed their mug full and are tucked in bed awaiting Santa's arrival, consider adding a little mint liqueur such as peppermint schnapps or creme de menthe to give this kid-favorite a grown-up flair.