Monday, January 2, 2012

Good Taste: leftover candy canes {peppermint sugar cubes}


Do you have leftover candy canes from the holidays?


With all the delicious homemade treats and goodies the candy canes rarely get eaten. I usually end up throwing them away after Christmas. 


I decided to put them to use this year and make peppermint sugar. Then I remembered that Vanessa over at Nifty Thrifty Things made some cute sugar cubes awhile back and decided to make the peppermint sugar into sugar cubes.


Blog Peppermint Sugar
Here’s how to make peppermint sugar or peppermint sugar cubes.

Take about {6} candy canes and pulse them in your food processor until they are ground up. Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and pulse until blended with the candy canes. Stop here if you just want peppermint sugar. 

Since I was making sugar cubes, I removed the larger chunks of peppermint. Drizzle a teaspoon of water into the mixture and blend together. Add drops of water until the mixture is moist – too moist and the sugar will dissolve. 

Press the moistened sugar into candy molds or small ice cube trays. Tip: I used wax paper to press the sugar into the mold since it’s so sticky. Let the cubes dry overnight and remove them from the molds. 


I made a variety of shapes. The hearts would be fun for Valentines Day.


I had some leftover peppermint sugar and made these cute marshmallow kabob stir sticks for hot chocolate. Use a little of drizzle of tube frosting and roll the kabob in the sugar mixture. 


Add a cube to your favorite hot beverage and enjoy!



Visit thecsiproject.com 

This project is linked at the parties listed here and 


Tip Junkie handmade projects Childmade Visit thecsiproject.com    The Crafty Nest

45 comments :

  1. What a sweet way to start the new year!

    Wishing you lots of joy in the new year and hopefully lots of your wonderful projects to show us.
    I've loved following you in the year past and I'll be following you gladly into the new year ahead.
    Happy 2012!

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  2. Gorgeous ideas - I have heaps of these to use up and they never keep well!
    Thanks for sharing
    Lowri :-)

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  3. What an AWESOME (& pretty) idea! I feel a FEW batches of peppermint sugar coming on this afternoon. I will keep a few of the cubes, but leave the rest for tiny 'Winter' GIFTS! I love giving little, unexpected things AFTER Christmas. A few of these and some tea will be a nice and inexpensive surprise for friends! THANK YOU!

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  4. I love this idea and never thought of doing this...I usually just melt a peppermint in coffee and toss in some sugar but this is much more fun and pretty!! Thanks for such a good idea :0)

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  5. Are you a certified genius, or just do it in your spare time? Pinned, tweeted, etc...

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  6. Carolyn, this is such a wonderful idea!

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  7. Those are so cute! I have been on a sugar "cube" making kick recently so love seeing I'm not the only one!! I particularly love the marshmallow kabobs. I make them and my husband always gives me a strange look like its the first time he has seen them. LOL!

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  8. What a great idea! Thanks for the how to. I'm definitely gonna try this!

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  9. love it - perfect treat to add to hot chocolate at a kids party too.

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  10. This is such a fantastic idea. I knew there was a reason I held onto that last box of candy canes! Thanks for sharing. I love your blog.

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  11. Brilliant! I usually just crush the candy canes and use the 'powder' to sprinkle over hot chocolate... this is much more fun.

    This is inspiring me to make some sugar cubes for Valentine's Day the same way but subbing the candy canes for those little cinnamon hearts (which I also like to drop in a cup of hot chocolate).

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  12. What a wonderful idea!! I'm planning a hot chocolate party...I was just going to do crushed peppermint (out of the candy canes) but this idea would be a cute addition! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I wonder if you could use Splenda or Sweet'N Low instead of table sugar?

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  14. These are so pretty. What a great way to put the unwanted candy canes to use. I love the idea of the marshmallow kabobs for hot cocoa.

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  15. What a great idea! I have a whole BOWL of candy canes just waiting for me to do something with them... The candy canes weren't too hard on your food processor?

    Found your blog through the link party @ tip junkie! Great blog! Feel free to visit us @ www.toddlindsey.com

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  16. I was SO enamored (and grateful!) for this idea Carolyn - thank you so much for taking the time to share it with us!! You're such a style-master, and appreciate the easy step by step "How To". Can't wait to try it out xo

    PS. Loved it so much, I gave you a shout out on my blog! http://helenalujan.blogspot.com/2012/01/fun-find-friday.html

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  17. This post just rocked my socks off.
    [running to the kitchen to find leftover candy canes]
    Thanks!

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  18. Wow - great idea. I would have never thought of this. And cute, too!

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  19. Hi. I spotted your sugar cubes over at Strut Your Stuff. They are so creative and so pretty! What a clever idea!

    Christy @ toolsforkitchens

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  20. Love this idea... just tossed all my candy canes so they didn't sit around all year like last time! :)

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  21. WOW! I should've done that to all the candy canes in my possession post XMAS! Instead, my boys have gone on a sugar high since then! lol What a crafty & nifty idea - thanks for sharing!!! :)


    Hugs,
    Jessie

    acozycottageinthecity.blogspot.com

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  22. How cute. I've heard of peppermint in coffee but am too chicken to try it. These would be perfect for hot chocolate too tho. Awesome. I think I might try it in my coffee today! Stopping by way of a linky party.

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  23. Such a sweet ideas! So yummy! I'd love for you to stop in and link up in my Happy Friday Drink link up!

    http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-friday-link-up-drink.html

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  24. What a neat idea! I have SOOO many candy canes left over this year and I had not thought of doing something like this - thanks for sharing the idea!

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  25. genius idea!!! I really love this!!!

    I have a project party every weekend if you want to join here.. http://www.bubblynaturecreations.com/2012/01/vanilla-bean-iced-coffee-and-project.html
    Have a great day!
    -Rachel

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  26. I love this idea! Crushed peppermint also makes an excellent addition to cookies -- just sprinkle some on top and you have a slightly peppermint cookie (great with chocolate chip and sugar cookies).

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  27. Love, love, love!

    Thank you so much for being a part of the creative spirit and camaraderie on "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday at Rook No. 17. I hope you'll feel inspired to join in again this week!

    Warmest wishes,
    Jenn

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  28. These are so neat and they look delicious! I just shared this on my Bella Nest Facebook page. Thank you for sharing!

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  29. So cute, I have pinned this on Pintrest.com Thanks for the good idea

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  30. I hope you don't mind that I pinned this on Pintrest. I gave you credit. Thanks for the great ideas.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Kelly. Thrilled to have this pinned.

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  31. Love this idea - it is indeed a sweet idea!

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  32. Hey, I just wanted to let you know I included your post in a Valentine's Day post on my blog.

    http://ceejayrose.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-oh-ideas.html

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