Make this easy Candy Cane Syrup in minutes and have a delicious syrup for coffee, desserts, and more! There are so many uses for this Candy Cane Syrup and this recipe is a great way to use leftover candy from the holidays.
Candy Cane syrup is so easy to make with only 2 ingredients and it tastes just like the candy! You are going to want to use this syrup in so many things and have the taste of Christmas in other forms than just candy.
This is another recipe, like my Candy Cane Cupcakes, that came about because I had a bunch of candy canes left over from the holidays and didn't want to throw them away but also wanted to get them out of the candy bowl.
How to Make Candy Cane Syrup
- Place the candy canes and water in a saucepan over med-high heat. Wait for the candy canes to melt while stirring the liquid. It will start to turn red and the candy canes will slowly dissolve into the water.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and allow it to bubble for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely, about an hour.
- Once the mixture has cooled, use a funnel to pour it into a sealable glass bottle or jar.
What to Use This Syrup For
I love homemade syrups for so many reasons, one of them being that you can use the syrup for so many things. Here are some ideas and things I have made with this Candy Cane Syrup:
- Candy Cane Latte or coffee
- Peppermint buttercream frosting
- Candy Cane pancakes or waffles (in the batter and/or on top!)
- Over a bowl of ice cream
- In a milkshake
Where to Find Those Cute Santa Hat Bottle Decorations?
Amazon, of course! What a cute gift this syrup would make with these Santa hats and scarves just like my photo!
How to Pour and Store Homemade Syrup
Silicone funnels are a life-changing kitchen gadget. If you don't have one, I would highly recommend getting one. You never know when it will come in handy and since the collapse, they don't take up too much space!
You will want to use a sealable bottle or jar to store this syrup. I love flip-top bottles that I can re-use or a simple canning jar will do the trick, it's just a little harder to pour from. This Syrup will last in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
Optional Peppermint Extract Addition
The addition of peppermint extract is optional. Cooked-down candy canes maintain their "candy cane" taste and a small amount of minty flavor. If you are looking for a peppermint "kick" similar to a regular peppermint syrup, you may find that you want to add a little bit more to this syrup. The nice thing is that this candy cane syrup doesn't have quite the kick, and some people may prefer that. You can always add it in, but you can't take it out!
Other Syrup and Candy Recipes to Check Out
- Copycat Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Recipe
- How to Make Honey Lavender Syrup
- How to Make Candied Ginger and Ginger Syrup
- 10 Uses for Homemade Lavender Syrup
- Homemade Snickers Bars
- Copycat Twix Cookies Recipe
Candy Cane Syrup
Equipment
- glass bottle with a sealable top or a jar with a lid
Ingredients
- 2 cups candy canes (about 50 small candy canes or 20 large candy canes)
- 2 cups water
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (optional*)
Instructions
- Place the candy canes and water into a saucepan over med-high heat. Wait for the candy canes to melt while stirring the liquid. It will start to turn red and the candy canes will slowly dissolve into the water. If you are adding peppermint extract, now is the time to do it.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and allow it to bubble for 2-3 minutes. Watch the heat and turn it down if the mixture is boiling too much. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely, about an hour.
- Once the mixture has cooled, use a funnel to pour it into a sealable glass bottle or jar. Store the syrup in the fridge. It will last for about 2 weeks.
Notes
- The addition of peppermint extract is optional. Cooked down candy canes maintain their "candy cane" taste and a small amount of peppermint flavor. If you are looking for a peppermint "kick" similar to a regular peppermint syrup, you may find that you want to add a little bit more to this syrup. The nice thing is that this candy cane syrup doesn't have quite the kick, and some people may prefer that. You can always add it in, but you can't take it out.
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did you Make this Candy Cane Syrup?
If you make this Candy Cane Syrup, leave a comment below. And if you snap a photo, tag me on Instagram or Facebook.
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Bobbie says
What a fun recipe! I want to make a big batch to bottle and give as gifts to my coworkers!
Emily says
Thanks, Bobbie! That's a great idea, I think anyone would love to get a bottle of this as a gift.😊
Gina Abernathy says
Perfect for my morning coffee and my ice cream at night.
Emily says
LOL, yes! I love the double dip!
Jean says
This is another way to enjoy these candies and add to coffee and not feel guilty with sugar.
Emily says
Yes! It's so good in coffee!
Shilpa says
What a lovely idea! Thanks for sharing.
Nora says
What an amazing idea! Love it! This will make such a great gift for my neighbors! (They love candy canes, you know! I mean, who doesn't?! 😀 ) Thank you for the recipe!
Emily says
Your neighbors are going to love it! Thanks for checking it out 😁
Giangi Townsend says
What a fantastic idea!. Love to make it this holiday season.
Thank you for sharing
Emily says
Thanks, Giangi! It's now a tradition during the holidays in my house.
Sue says
This is a must try for me! I always have leftover candy canes after Christmas, and feel bad throwing them out. I can make this syrup for a lovely way to sweeten my morning latte!!
Emily says
That's exactly why I came up with this! And who doesn't love a peppermint latte? Enjoy!