11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (2024)

Peppermint lovers unite! If you love peppermint recipes, you’ll love this collection of our best peppermint desserts, drinks and more.

Learn how to add peppermint extract for incredible winter flavor in co*cktails, cookies and so much more.

Oh, I love peppermint so much. It’s a fresh, minty, flavorful taste of winter with that spicy little menthol kick that we crave.

It coordinates beautifully with chocolate, and it creates the most delicious desserts for Christmas and beyond. That’s why today, we’re rounding up 10 of my favorite peppermint recipes to celebrate the flavor of the season!

Peppermint Recipes

While it’s traditionally associated with Christmas, many people love peppermint flavor year round. And why not? It’s too good to ignore for the other 11 months of the year, right?

With that in mind, let’s get right down to it. I’m going to answer all your burning peppermint questions, and I’m including 11 of my best peppermint recipes, too.

There’s so much to love about peppermint!

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (1)

Table of Contents

  • Peppermint Recipes
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Peppermint Recipes
  • Peppermint Extract Versus Peppermint Oil
  • Easy Peppermint Recipes: Salted Peppermint Bark
  • Explore More

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it Called Peppermint?

Peppermint is a hybrid mint, which means it’s a cross between two types of mint – watermint and spearmint. Among the oldest herbs used for both medicine and cooking, peppermint has a long history!

What Do You Use Peppermint Extract For?

Peppermint extract can be used as a flavoring in so many of your favorite recipes! Add it to cookies, breads, coffee, hot chocolate, candies and ice cream.

What’s the difference between Mint and Peppermint?

Mint is a fast-growing herb that is actually an entire family of herbs. This includes peppermint, spearmint, orange mint, pineapple mint, and more. You get the idea, right? Basically, mint is an umbrella term that also includes peppermint, but peppermint stands on its own.
Peppermint is stronger and while the flavor is similar to spearmint, peppermint contains a much higher level of menthol, which creates a stronger, zestier cooling flavor.

Is Peppermint Extract the Same as Peppermint Oil?

Peppermint extract is made from the essential oils of peppermint leaves. The liquid comes from the process of extracting the oils from the leaves and is sold in four ounce containers. The oil is mixed with alcohol to create a less concentrated peppermint solution: extract.
Peppermint oil, however, is made of pure peppermint. This makes it more intense and concentrated. It’s so concentrated that you should never consume pure peppermint oil on its own.

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (2)

Peppermint Recipes

Peppermint Ice Cream

This creamy peppermint ice cream is made with just three ingredients in a couple of minutes. It’s a delicious treat in a bowl and incredible onbrownies,sugar cookies, cakes and more!

This homemade no churn ice cream is the perfect frozen dessert for the holidays.

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (3)

Salted Peppermint Bark

Next, we have a holiday classic! Salted peppermint chocolate bark is an elevated version of peppermint bark, a traditional Christmas candy.

It’s a blend of sweet and salty with a cool refreshing flavor topped with peppermint and sea salt flakes for added crunch. This is the perfect holiday treat!

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (4)

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bombs

If you’ve never had a hot chocolate bomb, now is the time! These cute spheres of creamy chocolate are filled with hot cocoa mix, marshmallows and crushed peppermint for an extra dose of wintery joy!

Peppermint hot chocolate bombs are the most delicious, decadent and adorable way to enjoy your hot cocoa this season. The addition of peppermint in this recipe creates the ultimate flavor sensation!

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (5)

Peppermint Fruit Dip

This peppermint fruit dip is made with just three ingredients and only takes five minutes to make.

This peppermint dip is perfectly festive and it’s great to make for the holidays!

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (6)

Peppermint Cookies

Try these melt-in-your-mouth peppermint cookies for the ultimate Christmas treat! These peppermint sugar cookies have a delicately sweet sugar cookie base.

They are topped with the best peppermint buttercream and crushed candy canes which will have you dreaming about Christmas all year round!

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (7)

Merry Mint with Peppermint Schnapps

Next, a classic co*cktail! This merry mint co*cktail made with Peppermint Schnapps will warm your soul this holiday season!

This fun and festive Christmas co*cktail is the perfect blend of cream, mint and vodka!

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (8)

Spiked Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps

This rich and creamy peppermint hot chocolate recipe is delightful all winter long – and who doesn’t love a steaming cup of spiked hot chocolate?

The frosty cool flavor of peppermint schnapps drinks is a favorite addition to my winter co*cktail line up.

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (9)

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Foolproof chewy chocolate peppermint cookies are always a favorite Christmas cookie recipe – they’re quick and easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients.

Perfect for cookie exchanges and all of your holiday gatherings. It takes less than 20 minutes to make a huge batch!

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (10)

Chocolate Andes Mint Cookies

Next up, another cookie! These chewy Chocolate Mint Cookies stuffed with Andes candy are for all those chocolate mint lovers! Rich, decadent and chocolate-y, it is the best recipe for Christmas and the holiday season!

Serve them to all your friends and family at your next holiday get-together or cookie exchange.

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (11)

Peppermint White Russian

This Peppermint White Russian recipe is wonderful peppermint drink to enjoy around the holidays. The coffee liqueur, vodka, and half and half compliment the zingy peppermint schnapps to make a festive and delicious peppermint co*cktail.

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (12)

Baked Peppermint Bark Christmas Donuts

Finally, peppermint donuts! These homemade peppermint bark donuts are the stuff that dreams are made of! They’re a taste of winter, wrapped into a beautiful treat!

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (13)
11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (14)

Peppermint Extract Versus Peppermint Oil

When substituting peppermint extract with peppermint oil, note that it does not have alcohol in and doesn’t evaporate when cooking, so reduce the amount used.

Peppermint extract is best for most cooking and baking. It is strong enough to add flavor and less expensive than oil.

11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (15)

5 from 1 vote

Easy Peppermint Recipes: Salted Peppermint Bark

By Julie Blanner

Salted Peppermint Bark is one of our favorite peppermint recipes.

Prep: 3 minutes mins

Cook: 7 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 48

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Ingredients

  • 24 ounces light cocoa candy melts substitute chocolate chips or melting wafers
  • 20 ounces white almond bark substitute white chocolate chips or melting wafers
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 3 ounces crushed peppermint
  • teaspoon sea salt flakes

Instructions

  • Line a large cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper.

  • In a double boiler (or microwave), melt chocolate, stirring frequently. In a double boiler, this usually takes about five minutes (less in the microwave if you're stirring every 30 seconds). Ensure that it's totally melted and smooth.

    24 ounces light cocoa candy melts

  • Pour melted chocolate onto cookie sheet and spread until smooth. Allow to partially set for a few minutes (at room temperature) while you move on to the next step. (This keeps it from separating.)

  • In a double boiler (or microwave), melt white chocolate while stirring continuously. Add peppermint extract.

    20 ounces white almond bark, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

  • Spread onto partially set chocolate.

  • Add crushed peppermint and sea salt flakes.

    3 ounces crushed peppermint, 1½ teaspoon sea salt flakes

  • Allow to cool and cut or break into pieces.

Julie’s Tips

  • You can a sea salt grinder set to the largest setting to achieve small flakes, or buy sea salt flakes.
  • Use a food safe peppermint oil so you don’t seize the chocolate.
  • Use your favorite chocolate brand for this recipe.
  • If you need to crush your peppermint sticks or candy canes, try adding them to a Ziplock baggie and rolling with a rolling pin.
  • Store in a cool place in an airtight container for several weeks.

Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.03mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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11 Easy Peppermint Recipes | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

How do you use peppermint extract in baking? ›

You can use peppermint extract as you might with vanilla extract by adding a small amount to baked goods or chilled desserts, such as ice cream. In my opinion, peppermint extract has a sharper flavor than vanilla, so I usually start with a smaller quantity and adjust as needed.

How do you add peppermint to food? ›

I sprinkle mint on everything, I add it to fresh summer salads, to desserts, to smoothies, and I drink mint infused water all the time! Mint will also add a fantastic twist to summer co*cktails and is perfect packed into a mojitos for the upcoming al fresco parties.

What can I do with peppermint extract? ›

Peppermint Extract Recipes
  1. Peppermint Patty Shortbreads. Yewande Komolafe. ...
  2. Peppermint Brownie Cookies. Vaughn Vreeland. ...
  3. Chocolate Cake With Peppermint Frosting. Yossy Arefi. ...
  4. Chocolate-Peppermint Shortbread. Sohla El-Waylly. ...
  5. Peppermint Brownies. Erin Jeanne McDowell. ...
  6. Peppermint Stripe Cookies. ...
  7. Peppermint Bark. ...
  8. Chocolate Mint Tart.

What happens when you put peppermint extract in your hair? ›

Menthol, the main component in peppermint oil (and what causes its cooling sensation) has been shown to increase blood flow to the scalp. This positively impacts blood vessels, stimulating regrowth and follicle depth, for thicker, stronger hair strands.

What can you not mix peppermint with? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Cyclosporine. This drug, which is usually taken to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ, suppresses the immune system. ...
  • Drugs that reduce stomach acid. ...
  • Drugs that treat diabetes. ...
  • Medications changed by the liver. ...
  • Antihypertensive drugs (blood pressure medications)

How is peppermint used in cooking? ›

Peppermint is an excellent flavouring for ice cream, biscuits and chocolate. Below are some other ideas on how to use mint, whether it is peppermint or spearmint, in your cooking. Add chopped mint to sauces for red meat particularly lamb. Add several sprigs of mint to peas, green beans or new potatoes whilst boiling.

What can I mix peppermint with? ›

Peppermint blends well with Bergamot, Lavender, Cedarwood, Lemon, Lime, Pine, Rosemary and Spearmint.

How much extract to use in baking? ›

However, as a general guideline, most recipes call for between 1 and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract per batch. Using more than 2 teaspoons can result in an overpowering flavor that may be too strong for some tastes.

How do you use peppermint extract to repel bugs? ›

Directions. Combine water and peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Shake bottle before use and spray the solution around entry spots such as windowsills and door frames, or places where insects may hide. The strong odor acts as a repellent.

How much peppermint extract to use in melted chocolate? ›

Add 1/2 teaspoon of oil. Melt in 20-second increments, stirring vigorously with a silicone spatula spatula or spoon after each increment, until completely melted and smooth. White chocolate and chocolate overheat easily, so it's important to do this in increments. Once melted, stir in 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.

How much peppermint extract to use instead of vanilla? ›

Substituting Peppermint Extract for Vanilla Extract

Peppermint extract is a stronger flavor than other baking flavorings like vanilla extract or almond extract, so start small by substituting half or a quarter amount of the extract called for in the recipe.

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