Name: Candy Cane Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 15
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 1 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened; 1 1/2 C powder sugar; 1 egg; 2 tsp peppermint extract; 2 1/2 C flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp cream of tarter; 1/2 C crushed candy canes; 2 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened; 3 C powder sugar; 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream; 1 tsp peppermint extract; 1 C crushed candy canes to sprinkle on top

There’s something undeniably cozy about a dessert that brings peppermint, buttery goodness, and a little festive crunch together — and that’s exactly why Candy Cane Bars are stealing the show this holiday season. With a soft, buttery base and pops of crushed candy cane throughout, this treat isn’t just a dessert — it’s a holiday hug in bar form. Grab a mug of hot cocoa (or even a Strawberry Hot Cocoa from scratch for the kids and a Candy Cane Martini for yourself, dim the lights, and let these bars add a little extra holiday sparkle to your kitchen.

Whether you’re hosting a Christmas cookie swap or just want to sweeten an ordinary weeknight, these bars bring the perfect balance of simplicity and celebration. The peppermint frosting on top adds a cool, creamy layer, while the bits of crushed cane give each bite a festive crunch that’s impossible to resist. Here is my candy cane bars recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Table of Contents

Candy Cane Bars

Ingredients:

1 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened

1 1/2 C powder sugar

1 egg

2 tsp peppermint extract

2 1/2 C flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

1/2 C crushed candy canes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Tear off a sheet of parchment paper long enough to fit a 9×13 baking dish

In a standing mixer, combine butter, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla and mix on medium speed until combined and fluffy

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.

Gradually add in the flour to the wet mixture and mix on low speed until combined

Stir in the candy canes

Scoop dough into the baking dish and press down with your fingers

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown

Place onto a wire rack to cool completely

Peppermint Frosting ingredients:

2 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened

3 C powder sugar

3 tbsp heavy whipping cream

1 tsp peppermint extract

1 C crushed candy canes to sprinkle on top

Frosting directions:

Using a standing mixer, combine all ingredients (except the crushed candy canes) and mix on medium speed until combined and stiff peaks.

Scoop the frosting onto the cooled cookie bars and frost

Sprinkle with candy canes

Place the bars in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour for the frosting to harden

Use a sharp knife and cut into bars

Making Memories, One Batch at a Time

It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced baker or just starting out — these Candy Cane Bars are a sweet holiday win. The scent of peppermint and butter baking together will fill your kitchen with nostalgia, and the first bite — soft, buttery, pepperminty — might just become a new holiday tradition. I love imagining these bars on Christmas morning, alongside stockings and twinkling lights, or at a cozy get-together with friends and family.

So tie on your apron, preheat the oven, and let the holiday magic begin. Because sometimes, dessert isn’t just dessert — it’s a little bit of joy.

Candy cane bars a sweet treat for Christmas.

If you are looking for a Christmas dessert that is less complicated to make with fewer ingredients, check out these Rudolph Nose cookies.

25 Yummy Christmas Cookies

26 Appetizing Christmas Treats

Yield: 15

Candy Cane Bars

Get into the holiday spirit with a sweet Christmas treat like Candy Cane Bars. Here is the recipe and step-by-step instructions.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
1 1/2 C powder sugar
1 egg
2 tsp peppermint extract
2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 C crushed candy canes
2 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
3 C powder sugar
3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 C crushed candy canes to sprinkle on top

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Tear off a sheet of parchment paper long enough to fit a 9×13 baking dish

In a standing mixer, combine butter, powder sugar, egg and vanilla and mix on medium speed until combined and fluffy

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and cream of tarter.

Gradually add in the flour to the wet mixture and mix on low speed until combined

Stir in the candy canes

Scoop dough into the baking dish and press down with your fingers

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown

Place onto a wire rack to cool completely

Frosting directions:

Using a standing mixer, combine all ingredients (except the crushed candy canes) and mix on medium speed until combined and stiff peaks. Scoop the frosting onto the cooled cookie bars and frost Sprinkle with candy canes

Candy Cane Bars