A Taste of Winter

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by Hannah (BitterSweet)

Each season has its own flavor in my mind, as fruits and vegetables hit their prime and become part of the daily menu for weeks on end. Spring makes me think of luscious, ruby red strawberries; summer, those succulent stone fruits, all so unique and flavorful; fall most definitely has me dreaming of pumpkin concoctions; winter? Well, that’s where it stops making sense. Sure, there’s plenty in season now, and tons of appropriately seasonal delights to indulge in, but the snowy days of winter make me dream of peppermint.

Perhaps that’s thanks to the abundance of red and white striped candy canes found around this time… Or the need to freshen one’s breath in case of getting caught under the mistletoe? How peppermint became synonymous with this time of year, I certainly couldn’t tell you, but I do know one thing about it: My fondest memories of holiday sweets revolve around pairing that fresh, minty flavor with chocolate.

Plenty of people claim to hate mint-flavored desserts, likening the experience to eating a tube of toothpaste, but even they can’t resist the pull of a seriously rich, dark chocolate fudge covered in crushed candy canes. To make this addictive creation, I adapted my recipe for Five Minute Coconut Fudge (scroll down) from My Sweet Vegan by adding 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract into the fudge itself, along with 4 smashed candy canes. Then, I omitted the flaked coconut, and instead topped it off with the crumbs of 5 additional crushed candy canes.

Decadent, sweet, and satisfying, these little squares make excellent gifts… Although you may find it hard to part with them!

41 thoughts on “A Taste of Winter”

  1. That picture is as pretty as a post card! I so wish I wasn’t the only mint chocolate fan in my little family (meaning if I made it, I would be *forced* to eat it all!)

  4. I’m not big on mint but paired with chocolate I do like it. Never had in in baked goods though, only chocolate by itself.
    The fudge looks wonderful with the crushed candy canes on top.

  10. i went looking for your book and B&N the other day but they didn’t have it! i hope to get it for christmas, especially after seeing this fudge!!!

  11. You have snow!!! How do you do that? That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen! And I’m with you on the seasonal stuff. Always seasonal, can’t help it. You’re the best. Thanks, Hannah! Happy Hanukkah.

  12. it looks great! i love candy canes! i couldnt bake with them.. and i cant eat coconut- but still it looks yummy.. : )

    Happy Hanukkah girlie!!

    PS- did you see that Wheelers is opening a full blown sandwich shop??? one of these days i have to get over there!

  14. According to my research…it seems that peppermint sticks were among the food decorations that were made exclusively for Christmas tree (over 350 years ago). The hooked candy cane came later — either because some clergymen passed out peppermint canes shaped like a shephards staff or people realized they hung on trees better that way. Either way, candy canes are a rather good treat.

  15. I think I gasped a little when I saw this, haha, I LOVE fudge. And I will never ever complain about pepperminty desserts.

    I would go make this right now, but I don’t have your book (it is on the Christmas list..maybe I will make some for New Years!!)

  16. I am a sucker for cute holiday touches on recipes, and this fudge looks so decadent and delicious. I’m in the mood for it today, maybe I’ll give it a try since I’m on a baking/sweet frenzy!

  22. I must agree, chocolate and peppermint are the flavors of December for sure! My boyfriend isn’t a huge fan of peppermint, which I can’t imagine, but I’m slowly sneaking it into his diet without him knowing. Hopefully he’ll convert soon!

  26. I’ve been trying to pick a fudge recipe so I could do a version of the cherry fudge my roommate used to make – basically fudge with the maraschino cherry juice for liquid and marischino cherries mixed in… so yum.

    For some darned reason, had not thought to consult my cookbooks – now I have a copy of your book and five minutes seems reasonable so I’ll give a shot at adaptation and let you know how it goes.

    I promise to get the photos off my camera tonight of the yummy cherry macaroon tart!

  28. this fudge looks amazing!!! i love making homemade fudge. i wouldn’t necessarily say that it’s better than store bought because i have had some amazing store bought fudge. my favorite is from Boscov’s department store hehe

  32. I nice idea to make your fudge fun for the hoildays! I loved it as normal but to give it a spin with candycane is a lovly idea!

  34. I’m not tired of all the yummy peppermint desserts yet though I do prefer my peppermint with chocolate over anything else or on it’s own. Your fudge look decadent. The colors of the crushed peppermint makes it look so festive, too!
    ~ingrid

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