Cute & Kitchsy Candy Cane Decor

Kick up the hostess game a notch with these inexpensive, and easy-to-make, candy cane serving platters!

These cost very little and look so cute -- plus they take barely any time to make.  An older child could easily whip up a few for you (the younger ones could too, except for the oven).  When the party's over...break off a chunk and enjoy the peppermint!

One caveat -- you may want to avoid placing very hot items on the platters, in the event that they could melt a bit and give it (just-out-of-the-oven-HOT brownies??) a peppermint-y taste.

You'll Need....

• Springform pan
• 1-2 bags peppermint candies (depending on size of the pan)
• Non-stick spray
• Parchment paper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
2. Spray pan and parchment paper that lines pan.  This is to keep your platter from sticking and breaking upon removal.
3. Arrange peppermints in the pan, touching and extending out to the edges of pan.
4. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until peppermints have just melted into one another.
5. Remove from oven.  Let cool completely before releasing sides of pan.
6. Load up with goodies to serve!

In addition to making Candy Cane Platters, another fun way to use these candies is arts and crafts!

Let's make:

• Ornaments
• Reindeer
• Wreath

Ornaments

Traditionally, we make these cinnamon ornaments, but decided to try something different this year and go with peppermint ornaments.  We had some mints leftover from the candy cane platters, and decided to make a go on ornaments, too!

You'll Need...

• Peppermints
• METAL Cookie Cutters
• Sheet Pan
• Non-stick spray
• Skewer stick
• Ribbon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Spray the entire insides of the cookie cutters.  This will prevent the mints from sticking and breaking your creation.
3. Place the candies inside the cookie cutters.  Don't worry if it doesn't line up exactly; they will melt into place.
4. Bake for 5-8 minutes, pulling pans out when they have melted into each other.
5. While it is still hot, use the skewer stick to make a nice hole at the top of the ornament (while they are still in the cookie cutters...just wiggle it a bit) large enough to poke the ribbon through.
6. Let cool completely, then gently remove from shell.
7. Thread ribbon through the hole, hang up, and admire!

Reindeer

An oven-free activity, this is one that is perfect for younger children!

You'll Need...

• Candy canes
• Brown pipe cleaners
• Red M&Ms
• Googly eyes
• Glue
• Ribbon (or pre-tied bow)

Directions

1. Wrap pipe cleaner around the bridge of candy cane (start in the middle of the pipe cleaner), and twist the ends to make antlers.
2. Glue googly eyes to the face.
3. Glue an M&M for the red nose.
4. Tie a bow with the ribbon (an adult may need to do this), and glue to front of candy cane.  (You can also try these pre-tied ones.)

Wreath

You'll Need...

• Peppermints
• Springform pan
• Non-stick spray
• Skewer stick
• Ribbon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Spray the entire insides of the pan.  This will prevent the mints from sticking and breaking your creation.
3. Place the candies around the inside perimeter of the pan so that they are touching, but leave the middle open.
4. Bake for 5-8 minutes, removing when mints have melted into each other.
5. While it is still hot, use the skewer stick to make a nice hole at the top of the wreath (while it is still in the pan...just wiggle it a bit) large enough to poke the ribbon through.
6. Let cool completely, then gently remove from shell.
7. Thread ribbon through the hole, hang up, and admire!