The classic crunch and mintiness of peppermint candy canes with sweet, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and a splash of festive sprinkles – these chocolate candy cane hearts are yum!
Why We LOVE Making Chocolate Candy Cane Hearts
Such festive party treats or favors – candy cane hearts will add such a festive vibe to your holiday spread. Delightful sweet treats for your mini partygoers or send them in gift bags as party favors.
Fun and easy to make – a simple little cooking project little kids can help with or bigger kids can do alone. Kids will love making these and then giving them to their little buddies at school. They’d make lovely teacher gifts too.
Adapt to the season – use pink candy canes and decorate with red or white sprinkles tfor Valentine’s Day. Try an orange and purple theme for Halloween or make them for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day and let the kids take their pick with the colors.
Turn them into edible decorations – add a hole, a loop of pretty string or thread and hang them on the Christmas tree. Then try to prevent everyone eating them when you turn your back…
Chocolate Candy Cane Heart Ingredients
All you need it 4 simple ingredients:
- 32 miniature candy canes
- 1 (12 oz.) bag of milk chocolate chips or a block of milk cooking chocolate
- 1 (12 oz.) bag of white chocolate chips or a block of milk cooking chocolate
- Christmas sprinkles
Variations
You can vary these candy cane hearts by switching all 4 of the ingredients:
- try candy canes in different colors and patterns – choose pink for Valentines or orange and black for Halloween
- use flavored chocolate or if you want to make different colors, use white chocolate and add a few drops of gel food coloring and the world is your oyster!
- Use sprinkles in colors of your choice, try gold and silver edible balls, edible glitter and so on…
The possibilities are endless!
Instructions to Make Candy Cane Hearts
Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Place the mini candy canes onto the baking sheet, forming 16 heart shapes.
To melt the chocolate in the microwave: Add the milk chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on medium in 30 second increments, stirring well in between, until melted.
Melt the white chocolate chips in a separate bowl.
To melt the chocolate ion the stovetop:
if you want to use the hob you need to use a double boiler as you can’t heat the chocolate directly (it’ll scorch). If you don’t have a double boiler you can simply use a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Once the chocolate has started melting, stir it at regular intervals (with a dry spoon or spatula) to help it melt evenly.
Add the melted milk chocolate to a plastic freezer bag or piping bag. Add the melted white chocolate to another.
Snip a corner off if using a bag. Then pipe chocolate into the inside of the candy cane hearts.
We made 8 milk chocolate and 8 white chocolate.
Then sprinkle the chocolate with your sprinkles before it dries.
Allow the chocolate to chill and set. This will take about an hour in the refrigerator.
Remove and enjoy!
Storage Instructions For Candy Cane Hearts
To keep your chocolate candy cane hearts fresh and festive, follow these simple storage tips:
Room Temperature
You can store chocolate candy cane hearts at room temperature in an airtight container for up a week or so as long as they’re away from direct sunlight or heat.
In The Fridge
If you like a bit of crunch to your chocolate or your kitchen is on the warm side then pop the candy canes in the fridge in an airtight container or resealable bag. They’ll last as long as you’re able to not eat them! (I’d say a max of 3 weeks.)
Freezing
Want to make them ahead of time or stash some for last-minute holiday gifts? They will freeze for up to 3 months suitably packaged as per above instructions. Just get them out and place on the counter a few hours ahead of time to allow them to thaw. They’re a little brittle when frozen so handle with care!
For More Festive Treats From Busy Little Chefs
- Easy Christmas Cannoli’s
- Holiday Oreo Cookies
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate With Candy Cane Stirrers
- Chocolate Peppermint Shake
- Mini Peppermint Candy Cane Cheesecake
- Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Plenty More Festive Inspiration Here:
- 50 Simple Christmas Treats For School
- 41+ Cute Mason Jar Christmas Recipes
- 10 Easy Crockpot Christmas Candy Recipes
- 45 Healthy Christmas Snacks & Party Food Ideas
Chocolate Candy Cane Hearts
Ingredients
- 32 miniature candy canes
- 1 12 oz. bag of milk chocolate chips or a block of milk cooking chocolate
- 1 12 oz. bag of white chocolate chips or a block of milk cooking chocolate
- Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Place the mini candy canes onto the baking sheet, forming 16 heart shapes.
To melt the chocolate in the microwave
- Add the milk chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on medium in 30 second increments, stirring well in between, until melted. Melt the white chocolate chips in a separate bowl.
To melt the chocolate on the stovetop
- Use a double boiler or heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water as you can't heat the chocolate directly (it’ll scorch)
- Once the chocolate has started melting, stir at regular intervals (with a dry spoon or spatula) to help it melt evenly.
To make the candy cane hearts
- Add the melted milk chocolate to a plastic freezer bag or piping bag. Add the melted white chocolate to another.
- Snip a corner off if using a bag. Then pipe chocolate into the inside of the candy cane hearts.
- Then top the chocolate with sprinkles before it cools.
Cooling & setting
- Allow the chocolate to chill and set. This will take about an hour in the refrigerator.
- Remove and enjoy!
