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 cocktails, 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!

Three iced drinks with candy canes and peppermint extract on top.
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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.

Peppermint bark, a delicious treat combining the flavors of peppermint and rich chocolate, is adorned with festive white and red sprinkles.

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 on brownies, sugar cookies, cakes and more!

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

Peppermint-infused strawberry ice cream in a pan, expertly blended with a spatula.

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!

A festive plate of peppermint bark adorned with a delightful sprinkle decoration.

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!

A white chocolate egg with peppermint sprinkles on top, perfect for peppermint desserts.

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!

A bowl of strawberry whipped cream with a hint of peppermint flavor served with a gold spoon.

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!

               Peppermint-flavored cookies on a marble table.

Merry Mint with Peppermint Schnapps

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

This fun and festive Christmas cocktail is the perfect blend of cream, mint and vodka!

Three glasses with peppermint candy canes on a white plate.

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 cocktail line up. 

A cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and a hint of peppermint flavor.

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!

Chocolate peppermint cookies with a delightful peppermint flavor, baked on a sheet.

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.

Chocolate cookies on a baking sheet with peppermint flavor.

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 cocktail.

Three cups of peppermint-flavored iced drinks with candy canes on top.

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!

Peppermint-infused donuts, adorned with colorful sprinkles, resting on a cooling rack.

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.

Chunks of salted peppermint bark on a white serving platter.
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Easy Peppermint Recipes: Salted Peppermint Bark

Salted Peppermint Bark is one of our favorite peppermint recipes.
Prep: 3 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
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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