The aroma of peppermint invokes the anticipation of Christmas and the winter season. Candy canes, now synonymous with Santa Claus, originally represented the staff of the Shepards. A versatile item to have on hand for many holiday recipes. Crushed into small pieces or even ground to a dust-like texture can be used as sprinkles on or in tea, hot chocolate, cookies, cakes, ice cream, drinks, pudding, whipped cream, icings, marshmallows and homemade chocolate or hard candy. You can even make your own peppermint treats using extracts and oils.

 1-2-3 Peppermint Pudding ©Ellen Easton

INGREDIENTS: One package MyT Fine Vanilla Pudding | 2 Cups Nonfat Lactaid Milk| 1/8 teaspoon Peppermint Extract or Oil|  4 Large Candy Canes, crushed

 Place pudding mix, milk and peppermint extract/oil into a saucepan. Over a medium heat stir until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Pour into ½ cup ramekins or container of choice.  Cover with cellophane and place into the refrigerator to set – a minimum of one hour. When ready to serve sprinkle crushed  candy cane on top. Serves 4

 Peppermint Whipped Cream~

1 cup heavy cream |1 Tablespoon granulated sugar| ½ teaspoon peppermint extract. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, add the heavy cream, sugar and extract. Beat until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat or it will turn to butter. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

HOMEMADE PEPPERMINT HARD CANDY ©Ellen Easton

 INGREDIENTS: 2 cups granulated sugar|2/3-cup light corn syrup|3/4-cup water|

1  teaspoon of liquid food coloring or gel, use the flavor and color of your choice. Reduce to ½ teaspoon the amount for the flavors of Peppermint, Clove or Cinnamon.

Heat resistant gloves, pastry brush, aluminum foil, Candy thermometer, metal spoons and utensils are recommended. Optional: Hard candy Molds, Confectioners’ sugar, glassine candy wrappers or bags, twist ties, flowers, herbs.

PREPARATION: Place all of the ingredients and tools accessible to the stove. Line a cookie sheet/jelly roll pan with aluminum foil.  Spray with non-stick cooking spray (such as PAM™). If using molds, lightly spray cavities of clean, dry candy molds with non-stick cooking spray. Insert lollypop sticks.  Place an additional sheet of aluminum foil sprayed with non- stick oil on the counter. (To protect your hands wear heat resistant gloves)  If after pouring the syrup into the molds you have excess candy, you can pour it onto the foil for break-up candy.

Using a good quality, heavy 2-quart saucepan, mix together sugar, corn syrup and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Without touching the bottom of the pan, insert the candy thermometer. Bring mixture to a boil without stirring.

As the mixture slowly heats, clean off any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush. Continue to cook the syrup, without stirring, until the temperature reaches 260º F.   Add drops of coloring until desired hue is achieved. Do not stir.  The boiling action will mix the color into syrup.  Remove from heat precisely at 300° F (temperature will continue rising), or until drops of syrup form hard, brittle threads in cold water (hard crack stage).

After boiling has stopped, add the flavor and stir. TO AVOID RISING STEAM, USE CAUSTION WHEN ADDING FLAVORING. Carefully pour syrup into prepared molds or onto the prepared greased foil lined cookie sheet. If using flowers or herbs, add syrup then allow setting a few minutes place additions and then adding the rest of the syrup. As the sugar mixture begins to set you may score with a large knife to mark the shapes desired.  Do not refrigerate.

Cool completely. Break sheet candy into small pieces. Optional- dust candy with confectioners’ sugar. Store in airtight containers between waxed paper.  Do Not dust lollipops with powdered sugar. Place in glassine bags and secure with twist ties. Store hard candy in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.

https://www.amazon.com/Nielsen-Massey-Pure-Peppermint-Extract-ounces/dp/B00194F1UA 

https://www.amazon.com/LorAnn-Natural-Flavoring-Oils-Peppermint/dp/B00076Q8E4 

https://www.amazon.com/GranAroma-Crushed-Peppermint-Minty-Flavor/dp/B0CRFM7BJV

A few holiday gift ideas for Downton Abbey fans…

https://www.amazon.com/Downton-Abbey-Grand-Finale-Collectors/dp/B0FQKZFX3S 

https://www.amazon.com/Year-At-Highclere-Secrets-Stories/dp/1529963931

©Ellen Easton