Mint for the holidays

Various projects to make with peppermint

Mint+for+the+holidays

Charlotte Chui

Along with the end of the year comes gifting presents, Christmas caroling and of course, peppermint. Here are four DIY projects to try with this quintessential holiday favorite.

1. Peppermint lotion bars:
Chilly weather taking a toll? Moisturize dry skin with these mint scented lotion bars.

Ingredients:
3 ounces cocoa butter
3 ounces coconut oil
3 ounces beeswax
36 drops of peppermint essential oil

Directions:
1. Heat water in a medium pan over the stove, until simmering.
2. Place cocoa butter, coconut oil and beeswax into a large glass bowl.
3. Place the glass bowl over the pan of simmering water until all ingredients are melted.
4. Remove from heat and stir in 36 drops of peppermint essential oil.
5. Pour into silicon molds in the shape of your choice. Refrigerate to cool before removing and packaging.

Source: Plant Therapy

2. Candy cane Christmas trees: Try a fresh spin on the classic Christmas treat with this recipe, combining candy canes and white chocolate.

Ingredients:
Mini candy canes
Peppermint candies
White chocolate wafers
Sprinkles

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Lay candy canes in a heart shape on baking sheet, with one peppermint candy at the heart’s tip. Cut a mini candy cane in half to create a “tree stump.” Place at heart’s opposite end.
3. Bake for about three to five minutes, until soft.
4. Press the candy cane’s curved tips into a straight line. Pinch the candies together to attach all parts of the tree. Let cool.
5. Melt chocolate wafers. Spoon white chocolate into trees’ center. Decorate with sprinkles. Let cool.
6. Use a spatula to remove from sheet.

Source: Jennifer Fishkind

3. Peppermint ornaments:
Spice up your tree with this unique take on Christmas ornaments.

Ingredients:
Peppermint candies

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spray the inside of oven-safe cookie cutters with nonstick cooking spray. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Fill the cookie cutters with a layer of peppermint candies.
4. Bake for three to nine minutes or until melted together.
5. Coat a toothpick with cooking spray. Use it to make a hole in each candy.
6. Once cool, pop out the hardened ornament by carefully stretching out the cookie cutter.
7. Thread with string or ribbon and hang on Christmas tree.

Source: Hello Homebody

4. Candy cane sleighs:
Transform candies into Santa’s sleigh ride with this sweet treat.

Ingredients:
2 candy canes
10 miniature sized candy bars
1 full size KitKat

Directions:
1. Glue the candy canes onto the bottom of the Kitkat. This will form the base of the sleigh.
2. Stack the candy bars into a pyramid formation on top of the KitKat, gluing them down as you go. There should be four miniature candy bars on the bottom, then three, then two, then one.
3. Wrap ribbon around the sleigh, tying it at the bottom. If desired, tie and glue a bow on top.

Source: Mavis Butterfield