Name: Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 28 mini candy canes; 1 cup chocolate chips; 1-2 tablespoons crushed candy canes, festive sprinkles, mini white chocolate chips, or your favorite toppings

There’s something magical about the blend of peppermint and chocolate, especially in a cute, heart-shaped treat. This Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe is not just festive but wonderfully simple, making it a perfect little delight to share or save for yourself during the holiday 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 Chocolate Treats Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve always enjoyed quick and charming recipes that pack in seasonal flavors, and this Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe hits the mark every time. It’s a crowd-pleaser with minimal effort, which makes it a go-to for last-minute holiday gatherings or as a sweet homemade gift.

Super simple: Only two main ingredients plus toppings, perfect for a quick treat with zero fuss.
Festively fun presentation: The heart shape feels personal and perfect for sharing holiday love.
Customizable toppings: Switch up sprinkles or crushed candy canes to suit your style or occasion.
No baking required: Just melted chocolate and chilling, which means even kids can join the fun!

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

The magic of this Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe lies in pairing peppermint candy canes with rich chocolate—classic flavors that balance perfectly. Use high-quality chocolate chips for a smoother melt and tastier finish. Here’s a bit more about each key ingredient:

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: These little guys form the heart shape and add that refreshing peppermint crunch you’ll love.
Chocolate Chips: I always go for semisweet or dark chocolate for a nice contrast to the peppermint, but milk chocolate works too if you want it sweeter.
Toppings (Crushed Candy Canes, Sprinkles, Mini White Chocolate Chips): These add texture and a festive flair; crushed candy canes keep the peppermint going, while sprinkles add color and fun.

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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

One of my favorite things about the Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I often swap out toppings depending on my mood or the holiday—sprinkles for Christmas, edible glitter for Valentine’s, or extra mini chips for added richness.

Variation: One year, I swapped regular chocolate chips for white chocolate and used crushed peppermint candy on top. It was so good—creamy sweetness with a peppermint punch that everyone raved about!

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

Step 1: Shape Your Candy Cane Hearts

Start by lining a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper—this keeps everything neat and makes cleanup a breeze. Then, lay out two mini candy canes on the sheet, facing each other to form a perfect heart. It helps to nudge them close so they’ll stay together later when you add the chocolate.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Just Right

Pour your chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in short 10-second bursts. Stir in between so the chocolate melts evenly without burning. Take your time here—smooth and glossy chocolate makes all the difference.

Step 3: Fill the Hearts with Chocolate

Transfer the melted chocolate into a piping bag or use a plastic zip bag with a tiny corner snipped off for easy piping. Carefully fill each candy cane heart with chocolate, and if the candy canes separate, press them gently back together for that neat heart shape.

Step 4: Chill Until Set and Enjoy!

Pop your tray in the fridge and let the chocolate firm up for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, you’re all set for festive snacking, gifting, or just admiring your adorable creations.

Top Tip

I've made these Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe dozens of times, and a few small tricks really help make the process smoother—and more fun!

Chocolate Melting Patience: Take your time heating the chocolate in short increments to avoid scorching and ensure silky texture.
Press Candy Canes Gently: Sometimes the candy canes like to drift apart, so a gentle press after filling with chocolate keeps the heart perfectly shaped.
Use Parchment Paper: It prevents sticking and makes transferring your hearts easier once they’ve set.
Topping Timing: Add your festive toppings right after piping the chocolate so they stick well as the chocolate hardens.

How to Serve Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of crushed peppermint or a mix of red and green sugar crystals on top right after piping the chocolate. It adds a festive sparkle and a little extra texture that’s addictive.

Side Dishes

These treats are perfect alongside a cup of hot cocoa or a peppermint mocha. They also pair beautifully with creamy vanilla ice cream for a fun winter dessert duo.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange these Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe on a festive platter lined with pine sprigs or holly leaves. Wrapping a few individually in clear cellophane tied with ribbon also makes adorable party favors or stocking stuffers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay perfectly crisp and pepperminty fresh for up to 3 weeks, making for easy grab-and-go treats throughout the season.

Freezing

These freeze beautifully too! Just pop them in a freezer-safe container with parchment layers so they don’t stick together. When you want one, thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature for about 10 minutes before enjoying.

Reheating

No need to reheat—these are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature to keep that crisp peppermint crunch and firm chocolate center.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Regular candy canes are much larger and curvier, so it’s trickier to form clean heart shapes and the treats might be too big to handle easily. Mini candy canes are perfect for this recipe to create pretty, delicate hearts.

What’s the best chocolate to use for this recipe?

I recommend semisweet or dark chocolate chips because they offer a nice balance to the peppermint sweetness. Milk chocolate works too if you prefer something sweeter, or white chocolate if you want a creamier, festive twist.

How long do Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these treats will stay fresh and crisp for up to 3 weeks. They can also be frozen for 1 to 2 months without losing quality.

Can children help make these treats?

Absolutely! This recipe is great for little hands since there’s no oven involved. Kids can arrange the candy canes, help with chocolate melting (supervised), and choose toppings, making it a fun holiday activity.

Final Thoughts

Making the Candy Cane Heart Chocolate Treats Recipe has become one of my seasonal favorites—not just for the flavor, but because it’s a simple pleasure that fills the kitchen with holiday spirit. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these delightful hearts just as much as I do. Give it a try—you might find yourself making these year after year, just like I have.