Merry Christmas Sweeties!!

DIY Candy Canes

What you need:

• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• red food coloring
• plastic gloves
• Candy thermometer
• Non stick cooking spray

To make:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
• Coat two cookie sheets with non stick cooking spray.
• Mix sugar, corn syrup, and water in small saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring constantly, until sugar is completely dissolved. Insert candy thermometer and continue cooking without stirring until mixture reaches 285.
• Remove candy from heat and stir in peppermint extract. 
• Pour half of the mixture onto cookie sheet and place in warm oven.
• Add 2-4 drops of red food coloring to remaining candy and pour onto heat safe cutting board. Allow to sit briefly until a 'skin' forms.
•  Spray a heat safe spatula with cooking spray. Use tool to spread candy back and forth on cutting board to allow for cooling.
• When candy is cooled, but still warm put on gloves and coat with non stick cooking spray. Begin to hold candy with both hands in opposite directions, stretching into a long rope.
• Bring the ends of the rope together and twist together. Then pull out into a long rope again. Continue to twist and pull candy until it becomes opaque red with a satiny finish.
•  Once candy is barely warm but still pliable pull into strand that is about 2 inches thick. Place it on remaining cookie sheet. Turn off oven, remove cookie sheet, and place the red candy in the cooling oven.
• Repeat the same process with the clear candy until it is pearly white in color. Once almost cool pull into 2 inch thick rope.
• Remove red candy from oven. 
• Cut a 5 inch section off of each strand. Place side by side and begin twisting together. Once it reaches desired thickness cut into 8 inch pieces with oiled kitchen shears or knife. Pull one end into hook. Set on cookie sheet at room temperature to set.
• Repeat with remaining candy.

If Life Hands you Lemons....

Although a well known tradition, we are unable to locate an original story behind drinking lemon juice directly from the fruit with a peppermint stick. Our King Leo Soft Peppermint Sticks are perfect for creating this delicious treat! Simply, cut the top of the lemon off, push the peppermint stick in and use it as a straw. Do you have any fun stories or history regarding this tradition?

Candy Cane Types

Candy Canes aren't just peppermint anymore! We've got watermelon, strawberry, Sweetarts, and Now & Later flavors. See our flavors here: http://www.candycrate.com/candy-canes.html.

Candy Cane Drink Recipes

Martha Stewart's Candy Cane Cocktail

What you need: 

• 1 candy cane, crushed, for garnish
• 2 ounces strawberry vodka
• 4 dashes white creme de menthe
• 2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
• Ice cubes  

To make:

Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. 

Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water then dip in crushed canes coating edge of glass.

In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

Crockpot (Kid Friendly) Candy Cane Cocoa

What you need:

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 4 cups half and half
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp peppermint extract
• 3 candy canes crushed
• Whipped cream

To make:

In a  4-quart crockpot combine cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.

Slowly stir in hot water until well mixed.

Whisk in half and half in milk.

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally (Do not boil).

Add bittersweet chocolate, stirring until melted.

 Stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.

Serve in festive mugs topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes!

Candy Cane Dessert!

Candy Cane Peppermint Bark

What you need: 

2 cups dark chocolate chips

2 cups white chocolate chips

8 peppermint candy canes

To make:

Crush candy canes and place in zip lock bag.  (We like to use a food processor but a rubber mallet will work just as well.)

 Cover a cookie sheet in aluminum foil.

Melt dark chocolate and spread evenly with a spatula onto cookie sheet.

 Refrigerate 15-30 minutes until firm.    

Melt white chocolate, stirring 3/4 of your candy canes into mixture. 

Remove cookie sheet from refrigerator and spread white chocolate evenly on top of the dark chocolate.

Sprinkle remaining candy cane pieces evenly on top.

Return cookie sheet to refridgerator for 30-45 minutes to harden. 

Once bark is completely set, break into small uneven pieces for serving. 

 

Candy Cane Inspired Beauty

***Deliciously Sweet Candy Cane Scrub

What you need:

1 cup granulated white sugar
6 candy canes crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp. vitamin E oil
1 tsp. peppermint extract

To make:

Stir all ingredients until well blended. Store in clean glass jar with lid.

***Candy Cane Lip Gloss

What you need:

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. agave nectar

To make:

Place all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 15 second intervals until coconut oil is melted. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Pour into small containers and let sit overnight to solidify.

Who knew?!

We’re kicking off our 12 days of Candy Canes with some fun facts about this traditional sweet treat!

*National Candy Cane Day is December 26!

* Traditionally the candy came in long solid white sticks. The red and white canes we are now familiar with did not come around until the 1900’s.

*The approximate shelf life of Candy Canes is 2-3 years as long as they are properly stored.

*The average candy cane is approximately 5 inches in length and weighs roughly half an ounce. The largest cane recorded was produced in 2011 at 63 feet tall!

*Candy Canes were originally manufactured in Germany in the 17^th century.

*Spangler candy company makes approximately 2.7 million candy canes a day!

*The most popular uses of candy canes include decorating the Christmas tree and baking.  How do you use them?

Check out Candy Crate's selection of Candy Canes here:  http://www.candycrate.com/candy-canes.html.