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!
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!)
What a fabulous idea! We all know that chocolate-mint is my favorite dessert flavor combination. Yum!
These look perfect!
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.
Faaaaabulous!!
Ok, these have been moved to the top of my to-bake list!!!
Those look so pretty and sound amazing. I love the combination of chocolate and mint.
beautiful and holiday-rific!
Looks heavenly!
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!!!
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.
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!
peppermint and chocolate is my FAVORITE flavor combination! that fudge looks so so tasty…
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.
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!!)
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!
CANNOT wait to make this for work potluck next week. Safeway’s candy canes are super on sale so this is so on!
I love the combination of mint and chocolate!
I was going to make some peppermint bark with dark chocolate this week, but this fudge looks amazing too. Yum!
MMM. This looks fantastic. I really need to make fudge this year, and should I stick to that I will definitely be making this.
Love the falling snow on your site – such an elegant holiday touch!
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!
I am in complete agreement… peppermint so reminds me of the holidays! And I love the adaptation of your fudge recipe!
These look like the perfect brownies! And, I love that it’s snowing on your blog…super cute.
Mmmm! This sounds perfect to give as holiday gifts. YUM.
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!
That sounds like an awesome holiday treat! Can’t wait to make a big batch to give some out to people (or keep for myself….)
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
Looks super tasty. I need to be making some fudge this week.
Sounds delish! I’m a mint fan.
I am definitely a mint and chocolate fan. The red and white candy canes look so sharp against the dark fudge. I love it.
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!
Looks so lovely. And I hope your cute virtual snowflakes are the only ones I see this season!
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
This sure looks like a winner alright! And it looks adorable!
Sure looks festive, and what great gifts they will make.
I’ve made peppermint bark before… this makes me want to make it again…. like now
:)
Teddy
I always associate winter with citrus. But of course, peppermint makes perfect sense. Must eb the red and white :)
Can I substitute something for the coconut milk? I can’t find it out here in the sticks? Thanks!
I made this for a party last night, and it was devoured. So yummy. Thanks for sharing.
I have to make these. They look so good.