If you’re anything like me, then you love peppermint sticks. There’s nothing quite like the sweet and refreshing taste of peppermint during the holidays.
Whether you’re making candy cane hot chocolate, peppermint bark, or decorating a cake with crushed candy canes, it’s important to know the best way to crush peppermint sticks.
In this blog post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about crushing candy canes.
Contents
What’s the Best Way to Crush Candy Canes?
The best way to crush candy canes is to place them in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. This method ensures that the candy canes are crushed into small pieces, without leaving any large chunks.
You can also use a meat mallet or a small hammer to crush the candy canes if you don’t have a rolling pin. Just be sure to place the candy canes in a plastic bag before crushing them to prevent any mess.
Will Hard Candy Break My Food Processor?
While food processors are great for crushing things like nuts and crackers, they may not be the best tool for crushing hard candy like peppermint sticks.
Hard candy can be difficult to crush in a food processor and may damage the blades. If you do decide to use a food processor, be sure to pulse the candy canes a few times at a time to prevent any damage to the blades.
Can You Crush Peppermint in a Blender?
Blenders are also not recommended for crushing peppermint sticks. The blades of a blender are not designed to crush hard candy and may become damaged if you try to use it for this purpose. Plus, the peppermint sticks may get stuck in the blades and create a mess.
What Are Some Tricks to Candy Crush?
Here are a few tricks to make crushing candy canes easier and more efficient:
- Freeze the candy canes: Place the candy canes in a plastic bag and freeze them for about 30 minutes. This will make them easier to crush and prevent them from sticking together.
- Use a food processor for other ingredients: If you’re making a recipe that requires other ingredients to be crushed, like nuts or graham crackers, use a food processor for those and crush the candy canes separately.
- Use a rolling pin or meat mallet: As mentioned earlier, a rolling pin or meat mallet is the best tool for crushing peppermint sticks.
- Use a plastic bag: Placing the candy canes in a plastic bag before crushing them will prevent any mess and make it easier to crush them evenly.
How to Store Candy Canes Crushed or Whole?
Candy canes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a year.
If you’ve crushed the candy canes, store them in an airtight container or plastic bag in a cool, dry place.
Crushed candy canes can also be frozen for up to 6 months. Just be sure to thaw them out before using them in a recipe.
Conclusion
Crushing peppermint sticks is an easy and fun way to add some holiday cheer to your recipes. Using a rolling pin or meat mallet and placing the candy canes in a plastic bag are the best ways to crush candy canes.
Food processors and blenders are not recommended for crushing hard candy. To store candy canes, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a year or freeze them for up to 6 months.
FAQs
Can I Crush Candy Canes in a Plastic Bag with a Rolling Pin?
Yes! Placing the candy canes in a plastic bag before crushing them will prevent any mess and make it easier to crush them evenly.
How Long Can I Store Candy Canes?
Candy canes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a year. If you’ve crushed the candy canes, store them in an airtight container or plastic bag in a cool, dry place. Crushed candy canes can also be frozen for up to 6 months. Just be sure to thaw them out before using them in a recipe.
Can I Use a Food Processor to Crush Candy Canes?
While food processors are great for crushing things like nuts and crackers, they may not be the best tool for crushing hard candy like peppermint sticks. Hard candy can be difficult to crush in a food processor and may damage the blades. If you do decide to use a food processor, be sure to pulse the candy canes a few times at a time to prevent any damage to the blades.
Can I Use a Blender to Crush Candy Canes?
Blenders are not recommended for crushing peppermint sticks. The blades of a blender are not designed to crush hard candy and may become damaged if you try to use it for this purpose. Plus, the peppermint sticks may get stuck in the blades and create a mess.
Can I Freeze Candy Canes?
Yes! Candy canes can be frozen for up to 6 months. Just be sure to thaw them out before using them in a recipe.
What Are Some Recipes That Use Crushed Candy Canes?
Crushed candy canes can be used in a variety of recipes, including candy cane hot chocolate, peppermint bark, and as a topping for ice cream or cupcakes. They can also be used as a garnish for cocktails or as a decoration for cakes and cookies.
