Frugal Holiday Tips - ideas for candy canes

[Elizabeth CM]

We have candy canes box of 12 for 1$ here, so I am trying to think of good ideas for them.

My mom suggested giving out to co-workers/neighbors a recipe for peppermint bark printed out in a pretty font and tied to a little "bouquet" of 3 candy canes with ribbons.

I thought it was a great idea and wanted to pass it along - Total cost as been 50 cents per, and these have really workd for all those 'little gifts' that need to be reciprocated but I really can't afford to. I buy Christmas cards at the dollar store and attach one with a little private message sometimes.

Here's the recipe -

Ingredients:
8 (or so) Candy Canes
1lb chocolate chips (dark, semi, or milk)
1/2lb white chocolate chips
Method:
1) Line a cookie sheet or pan with wax paper
2) Pulverize candy canes (Use small child, if available)
3) Melt chocolate in a microwave bowl in 15-second bursts,  stirring between (do NOT add water or anything)
4) Pour into pan, smoothing with spatula to about 1/4” thick,5) Melt & add white chocolate on top (first layer should be tacky)
6) Quick! Sprinkle candy cane bits on top, pressing down as you go
7) Let harden (about 10 minutes)
8) Remove brick from wax paper, break into yummy chunks

[mauimagic]

Mahalo Elizabeth - that's a great idea!! I'm done, but am definitely going to save your idea for next year!!

[Contrary Housewife]

You can also break them up and mix them into sugar cookie dough. Yummy.

[ladytoysdream]

Candy canes are pricey around here. ( I think )
If I was to do this, I would get the 16 ounce bags for $ 1 at Walmart.
The round hard peppermint candies and smash them up.

Good idea, thanks for sharing

[staceyy]

You can hang them on the tree and or use them to stir your hot cocoa, they look pretty in mugs.

Here is another idea: http://www.sunset.com/food-wine/holi...0400000015429/

[vickilynn]

Smash them and mix into a canister of hot cocoa...yummy!

[WV_mom_of2]

We always hang them on our tree. It's tradition in my family. My grandma started it when her kids were little and they didn't have much money for tree decorations. She would get candy canes because they were cheap and put them on the tree then the kids got to eat them as a treat later on. She always had them on her tree and so do I! A Christmas tree just doesn't look right to me without them!

[Libby]

You can also break them up and mix them into sugar cookie dough. Yummy.

I usually take them and smash em up in ziploc baggy and add about 1/2 cup into choc chip cookie batter and bake. Voila, festive choc chip cookies

PS smushed up peppermint candies work just as well.