Name: Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 28 mini candy canes; 1 cup chocolate chips; 1-2 tablespoons your favorite toppings, crushed candy canes, festive sprinkles, mini white chocolate chips, etc.

There’s just something magical about the mix of peppermint and chocolate during the holidays. These Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe bring that festive combo into a simple, no-bake treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Trust me, once you try these cute little heart-shaped candy cane delights, you’ll want to make them every season.

The image shows a white scalloped bowl holding four heart-shaped treats. Each treat is made from a pair of candy canes forming the heart outline, filled with a smooth layer of dark chocolate, and topped with broken white and pink peppermint pieces. Inside the bowl near the candy canes are round dark chocolate chips. The bowl is placed on a bright red cloth with visible stitching, and part of a clear glass bowl with small white peppermint pieces is seen in the background on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love how quick and satisfying this Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe is. It’s perfect for last-minute party treats or a sweet homemade gift. Plus, you don’t need fancy baking skills — just a steady hand and a bit of patience while the chocolate sets.

No-Bake Magic: You just assemble and chill so you avoid any baking mishaps, making it super beginner-friendly.
Festive & Fun Shape: The heart-shaped candy canes make each cookie feel special, perfect for sharing or pairing with hot cocoa.
Customizable Toppings: From mini white chocolate chips to crushed peppermint, you can tailor the look and crunch.
Lasts Weeks: These cookies keep well refrigerated, so you can make them ahead for a party or a sweet surprise.

The image shows multiple heart-shaped treats made by forming two peppermint candy canes to create the heart outline. Inside each heart, there is a smooth, shiny layer of melted chocolate filling the center. Some hearts have a topping of crushed white and pink peppermint pieces scattered on top of the chocolate. The candy hearts are placed individually on a light brown parchment paper that rests on a wooden surface. Small pieces of crushed peppermint candy are scattered around the hearts on the parchment paper. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe keeps things delightfully simple with just a few ingredients that highlight the classic holiday flavors. The candy canes bring peppermint crunch and a festive shape, while the chocolate holds it all together and adds that rich indulgence we all crave.

Flat lay of fresh mini candy canes arranged singly showing their red and white stripes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy dark chocolate chips, another small white bowl containing a colorful mix of crushed candy canes, festive sprinkles, and mini white chocolate chips, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Mini Candy Canes: Choose unwrapped mini candy canes for perfect-sized hearts; they're easier to shape and fit together neatly.
Chocolate Chips: I prefer semi-sweet or milk chocolate for balance, but go dark if you love a richer taste; the chocolate melts smoothly to bind the candy canes.
Favorite Toppings: Crushed candy canes add extra peppermint crunch, sprinkles bring color, and mini white chocolate chips add a visual and flavor contrast — it’s your canvas!

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I often jazz these up a bit depending on the occasion. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make the recipe truly yours; there’s nothing better than biting into something you made that fits your exact sweet tooth!

Variation: I sometimes swap plain chocolate chips for peppermint bark chunks when I want a chunkier texture and a stronger mint flavor — it’s a game changer for peppermint lovers.
Dietary Mod: For a dairy-free twist, use vegan chocolate chips and ensure your candy canes are allergen-friendly.
Presentation: Serve with a drizzle of white chocolate over the top or a light dusting of edible glitter for a fancy party look.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe

Step 1: Shape Your Candy Cane Hearts

First, take your mini candy canes and gently lay two unwrapped pieces flat on a sheet lined with wax or parchment paper, shaping them so their curves meet to form a perfect heart. They should be touching and laying flat, almost hugging each other — that’s the cutest part!

Step 2: Melt Your Chocolate Gently

Pop your chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 10-second bursts, stirring in between each until just melted and silky smooth. Be careful not to overheat — the chocolate can seize up quickly, and that’s a whole lot less fun.

Step 3: Fill the Candy Cane Hearts

Spoon the melted chocolate into a piping bag or a simple zip-top bag with the tiniest tip cut off. Carefully pipe chocolate into the center space between the candy canes, filling each heart. If you notice any gaps, gently press the candy canes a bit closer to seal the edges.

Step 4: Sprinkle and Chill

Before the chocolate sets, add your favorite toppings right on top — crushed candy canes are my go-to for the crunch and extra peppermint punch. Then, chill the tray in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes until the chocolate is completely firm.

Top Tip

From my many tries with this recipe, the biggest difference-maker is how you melt and handle your chocolate. A smooth, gentle melt and the right piping approach ensure your Candy Cane Heart Cookies come out flawless every single time.

Gentle Melting: Always heat your chocolate in short increments and stir often to avoid burning or seizing.
Secure Placement: Make sure your candy canes lay flat and touch; a shaky heart shape leads to chocolate leaks or breaks after setting.
Piping Bag Precision: Using a piping bag with a small tip gives you control, so you don’t overfill or create uneven centers.
Chill Time: Don’t rush the fridge stage — letting the chocolate fully harden helps the cookie hold its shape and texture longer.

How to Serve Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding crushed peppermint or festive sprinkles as garnishes before chilling. They bring brightness and crunch that make these cookies standout as cozy holiday snacks or for gifting.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or peppermint mocha — the combo with these Candy Cane Heart Cookies is downright dreamy. They also pair well with simple vanilla or peppermint ice cream for a chilly treat contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking your candy cane hearts in a clear glass jar lined with festive tissue paper as a gift. Or arrange them on a holiday platter surrounded by holly leaves and candy canes for an eye-catching dessert table centerpiece. I promise they’ll disappear fast!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate firm and peppermint fresh. I’ve kept mine for up to three weeks without any loss of flavor or texture — bonus for holiday prep!

Freezing

If you want to stash them longer, pop the cookies into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to two months. When thawing, bring them back to the fridge to avoid moisture condensation messing with the chocolate.

Reheating

Since these are cold-chocolate treats, I usually enjoy them chilled. But if you prefer, gently warming in your hand or briefly at room temperature softens the chocolate without melting the candy canes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized candy canes instead of mini ones?

You can, but regular-sized candy canes are harder to shape into hearts and can break more easily. Mini candy canes give the perfect size and sturdiness for this recipe.

What’s the best chocolate to use for melting?

Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips work best because they melt smoothly and provide a good balance of sweetness to peppermint. Dark chocolate is also fine if you prefer a richer flavor. Avoid chocolate with stabilizers or coatings that might not melt evenly.

Can I make Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! These cookies keep well in the fridge for up to three weeks, making them an ideal make-ahead holiday treat. Just store them in an airtight container and add toppings right after melting the chocolate for best appearance.

What toppings work best on these cookies?

Crushed candy canes add a delightful peppermint crunch, sprinkles bring festive colors, and mini white chocolate chips offer a pretty contrast. Feel free to experiment with edible glitter, chopped nuts, or even sea salt for a sweet-salty twist!

Final Thoughts

Making these Candy Cane Heart Cookies With Chocolate Recipe has become a holiday ritual for me — it’s quick, joyful, and impresses every single time. They’re the kind of treat you’ll find yourself sneaking when you think no one’s looking. Give this recipe a whirl, and I promise it’ll become part of your festive favorites, too.