Get Your Holiday Spirit on With These Peppermint-Infused Desserts

Some may refer to this time of year as the holiday season, but around here we like to think of it as "Peppermint Season." To infuse a little minty spirit into your life, stock up on pure peppermint extract. A little goes a long way, so start with a teeny drop and work your way up. You can sneak it into anything from brownies to hot cocoa to your favorite cookie dough. Or give one of these recipes a spin. They all call for a little bit of that secret ingredient that even Santa can't resist. Don't have an excuse for baking on the horizon? Call up a few friends, throw on a holiday movie, and let dessert be the main event.

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

This all-around stunner is perfect for any occasion. The batter is laced with peppermint extract and then the whole thing gets a blanket of fudge . (via Two Peas and Their Pod)

Peppermint Hot Fudge

Even when it's frosty outside, it's always ice cream weather. Of course, we would happily eat this peppermint-infused hot fudge on its own by the spoonful. (via Lauren's Latest)

Vegan Peppermint Brownies

Rich, fudgey, *and* vegan? These brownies sound too good to be true! You can change how fudgey they are by changing the butter to flour ratio, and make sure you wait to add the peppermint until after they come out of the oven to keep it crunchy. (via Brit + Co)

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup vegan butter melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar lightly packed
• 1 tablespoon pure peppermint extract
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup non-dairy chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9 x 9 baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the flax eggs by stirring the ground flax and water in a small bowl. Set aside to thicken.
3. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the vegan butter. Then whisk the butter with the granulated sugar and the brown sugar until creamed. Add the flax eggs and peppermint and whisk until evenly combined.
4. Over the same large bowl, sift in the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Add the salt and stir with a large wooden spoon until just combined, do not overmix.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until the middle of the brownies no longer jiggles and is just set.
7. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the crushed peppermint on top, and allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
8. Then pull the brownies out, using the parchment paper and let cool on a wire rack for another 15-30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Thin Mint Brownies

These cute little individual brownies are a double dose of minty goodness: There's extract in the brownie batter and a layer of crushed minty cookies sandwiched in the middle. (via My Baking Addiction)

Peppermint Gingerbread Donuts

Glazed with a pretty peppermint icing, these gingerbread treats are perfect for a festive holiday brunch. (via Jessica Gavin)

Peppermint Whoopie Pies

Peppermint buttercream is the star of the show here. These definitely win our vote for a kid-friendly dessert, but grown ups will find their sprinkled sweetness charming too. (via Buttercream Blondie)

Peppermint Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake

For those who can't decide which decadent dessert they're craving, enter this hybrid masterpiece. It's a layer of mint-infused cheesecake filling sitting atop a giant brownie. Who says you can't have it all? (via The Gunny Sack)

Peppermint Pattie Cookies

These Santa-worthy cookies are stuffed with dark chocolate chunks and topped in a rich peppermint cream. A little extra chocolate drizzle over the top seals the deal. (via How Sweet Eats)

Peppermint Marshmallows

Adorable minty mallows are reason enough for a celebration. Instead of a traditional dessert, try serving up hot cocoa after dinner with a generous helping of these dreamy clouds. (via Pastry Affair)

Peppermint Bark Brownies

Is there anything more wonderful than a rich brownie base topped with fluffy, minty frosting? Even your peppermint-hater friends will be reaching for a second. (via Broma Bakery)

Gluten-Free Peppermint Mocha Tart

Nobody will be missing the gluten from this dessert that features a luscious chocolate ganache and crunchy candy cane topping. You'll love the crust, which tastes like a Thin Mint cookie. (via Bakerita)