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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crushed candy canes are one of those little holiday touches that can completely transform a dessert—and honestly, I look forward to crushing them every year. There’s something oddly satisfying about smashing them up (with just the right amount of force!) and sprinkling them over a fresh batch of Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Cut-Out Sugar Cookies or folding them into Peppermint Buttercream. I used to dread the sticky mess they make, but over the years, I found a few foolproof ways to crush them cleanly and quickly. Whether you want big shiny shards or fine candy dust, I’ve got you covered with three of my go-to methods.
Watch how I make this recipe
Tools That Make It Easier
To crush candy canes without the sticky mess, here’s what I keep on hand:
- Gallon-size Ziploc bag – Prevents candy shards from flying everywhere.
- Cutting board – Protects your countertop from cracks or dents.
- Rolling pin or meat mallet – Choose your weapon!
- Kitchen towel – Muffles noise and helps keep things tidy.
- Small food processor (optional)
3 Ways to Crush Candy Canes
Rolling Pin + Ziploc Bag
This is my favorite method because I can control the size of the pieces, and there’s minimal cleanup.
- Gather your tools and unwrap the candy canes.
- Place the unwrapped candy canes in a gallon-size Ziploc bag and lay the bag flat on a sturdy cutting board.
- Seal the bag and wrap it in a kitchen towel to muffle the sound (my family thanks me for this every year).
- Use a rolling pin to firmly but gently crush the candy into small pieces.
- The result? Large, shiny pieces that look gorgeous on cookies and cakes.
Tip from me: Don’t overdo it with the rolling pin—too much pressure and you'll end up with peppermint powder!
Meat Mallet + Ziploc Bag
Great for letting out a little extra holiday stress, and it creates a nice variety of textures.
- Gather your tools and unwrap the candy canes.
- Use the same Ziploc and cutting board setup as above.
- Use a meat tenderizer (flat side) to pound the candy canes gently.
- This method creates mixed-size pieces that are still shiny and pretty.
My tip: I keep a separate meat mallet just for candy canes and cookies so it doesn’t smell like garlic or steak. Trust me on this one.
Food Processor
This is the fastest method, but it’s not my favorite.
- Gather your tools and unwrap the candy canes.
- Break the candy canes into 2-3 pieces and place them into a small food processor.
- Pulse until you reach your desired texture.
- The pieces come out smaller with more rounded edges and lose that shiny candy sparkle.
Why I rarely use this: I find the food processor gives me inconsistent texture, and it also makes the pieces dull. Plus, I really prefer the more hands-on, satisfying method of the rolling pin.
Before You Start: My Quick Tip
- I always unwrap and prep all candy canes in advance, especially if I’m filming or baking with kids around.
- If you're baking in bulk like I do in December, crush an entire box at once and store it in a labeled mason jar.
- For the best results when decorating cookies, crush your candy canes right before use so the texture is at its best.
- If your kitchen is humid, wait until the last moment to top buttercream with crushed candy—it melts fast!
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How to Store Crushed Candy Canes
Crushed too much? Don’t toss it!
- Store in an airtight glass jar or container for up to 1 month.
- Keep it in a cool, dry place—not in the fridge (peppermint absorbs smells).
- Label the container so you know what it is and when you crushed it.
- Note: If you store crushed candy canes for more than a week, they may start to stick together. Just give the jar a good shake to break them up before using.
Serving Ideas & Inspiration
Here are some of my favorite ways to use crushed candy canes:
- Sprinkle over Easy Way to Decorate Snowflake Cookies or Christmas Tree Cookies.
- Press gently into the sides of a frosted cake or cupcakes.
- Stir into buttercream for a crunchy peppermint surprise.
- Mix into hot cocoa or top whipped cream.
- Use as edible sprinkle toppers for Chocolate Royal Icing cookies.
How to crash candy canes for baking
Ingredients
Instructions
Rolling Pin Method
- Gather your tools and unwrap the candy canes.
- Place the unwrapped candy canes in a gallon-size Ziploc bag and lay the bag flat on a sturdy cutting board.Seal the bag and wrap it in a kitchen towel to muffle sound.
- Use a rolling pin to firmly but gently crush the candy into small pieces.
- Results in large, shiny pieces—perfect for decorating baked goods.
Meat Mallet Method
- Gather your tools and unwrap the candy canes.
- Follow the same setup as above but use a meat tenderizer to crush the candy.
- This method creates a mix of textures, with pieces that stay shiny and decorative.
Food Processor Method
- Gather your tools and unwrap the candy canes.
- Break candy canes into a few pieces and place in a small food processor.
- Pulse several times until desired consistency is reached.
- This method produces a variety of sizes, though the pieces tend to have rounded edges and lose their shine.
From My Kitchen to Yours
More Peppermint Recipes
- Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint Chips
- Easy Peppermint Cupcakes
- Peppermint Fudge in Cookie Cutters – Fun Holiday Gift Idea
- Holiday Peppermint White Chocolate Cookies for Christmas Baking
- How to Make Candy Cane Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods (Easy Holiday Treat)
- How to Make Easy Peppermint Brownies From a Box Mix (Festive Holiday Treat)
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Food Photography & Video Tips from My Studio
Here’s a peek at the tools, gear, and camera setups I use to film my recipe videos and photograph food at home. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of different setups, and now I’m sharing what actually works for me—whether I’m filming overhead shots for YouTube or styling still photos for my blog. If you’re curious about how I create the content you see here, these posts are a great place to start.
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