There’s something so cozy and festive about a sweet, minty crunch that makes the holidays feel complete. This Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe blends creamy chocolate with refreshing peppermint in a simple treat you can whip up in no time. It’s perfect for snack time, gifting, or just a little indulgence when you need it most.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember making these for the first time during a winter afternoon, and the way the peppermint crunch balanced against the smooth milk and white chocolate was just magic. Every bite feels festive but still approachable—easy enough for any skill level, yet special enough for celebrations.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples that you likely already have or can find easily in any grocery store.
- Quick and No-Fuss: No baking, no tempering chocolates—just melt, dip, and set.
- Customizable: You can swap out chocolates or crackers, and adjust peppermint intensity easily.
- Perfect for Sharing: These crackers make excellent gifts or party snacks that everyone will ask for again.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this recipe serves a purpose, creating a harmony of textures and flavors that delight. Choosing quality chocolates and fresh peppermint candy canes makes a big difference in your final result.
- Milk Chocolate: I prefer Ghirardelli candy melts for their smooth finish and easy melting without tempering—makes the chocolate coating silky and delicious.
- White Chocolate: Adds a lovely contrast in flavor and color and pairs beautifully with the peppermint.
- Peppermint Candy Canes: Freshly crushed for a bright, cooling crunch—crushing them yourself keeps the candy pieces nice and chunky.
- Graham Crackers: The perfect base: slightly sweet, crisp, and sturdy enough for dipping without breaking.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts of this Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe is how easily you can tweak it for your taste or occasion. I often change up the chocolate or try fun variations depending on the crowd.
- Dark Chocolate Variation: I sometimes swap milk chocolate for dark chocolate—especially if you prefer less sweetness and a richer flavor, it’s a fantastic twist.
- Chocolate Graham Crackers: For an extra chocolate punch, try using chocolate graham crackers as the base. It adds body and depth to every bite.
- Salty-Sweet Option: If you love a salty crunch, Ritz or saltine crackers dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with peppermint are surprisingly addictive.
- Extra Minty: Crushed peppermint pieces can be adjusted—more for mint lovers, less if you just want a subtle hint.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Milk Chocolate Gently
Start by scooping your milk chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each interval. Usually, around 90 seconds total does the trick to get that perfectly smooth, silky texture. Be patient—you don’t want to scorch it! Stirring thoroughly after each burst keeps the heat even.
Step 2: Dip One End of the Graham Crackers
Grab each graham cracker and dip one end into the melted milk chocolate. Lay them carefully on parchment paper to avoid sticking. Don’t rush this part—a steady hand helps to avoid drips and makes the chocolate coating neat. You’ll want to let these set at room temperature or pop them in the fridge for 15 minutes if you’re in a hurry.
Step 3: Melt the White Chocolate and Add Peppermint
Using the same melting method, warm your white chocolate until smooth and glossy. Now, dip the opposite end of each cracker into the white chocolate and immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy canes before the chocolate sets. This ensures the peppermint sticks nicely and gives that stunning festive look.
Top Tip
From my experience making this recipe multiple times, a few small tricks have really helped me get consistently great results without stress. Here’s what I’ve learned so you can breeze through it, too.
- Use Candy Melts: I swear by Ghirardelli candy melts—they melt beautifully without tempering, meaning smooth chocolate every time even if you’re not a pro.
- Crushing Candy Canes: Place your peppermint sticks in a plastic bag, then gently roll over them with a rolling pin or bottle. It’s fun and keeps the peppermint pieces chunky for more crunch.
- Chill to Set Faster: If you don’t have patience for waiting around, throw your dipped crackers in the fridge. Around 15 minutes will firm up the chocolate perfectly.
- Work Quickly: When dipping the white chocolate and adding peppermint, act fast before the chocolate cools and hardens to ensure the peppermint adheres well.
How to Serve Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with just the crushed peppermint on top—it’s festive, crunchy, and visually appealing. Sometimes I add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, especially if I’m serving these at a holiday party. A few fresh mint leaves on the side make for a lovely touch, too!
Side Dishes
Serving these with a hot cup of cocoa or a peppermint mocha is my go-to combo—you’ll love the way the warmth complements the cool peppermint crunch. They also pair beautifully with simple vanilla ice cream or even whipped cream for a little extra indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I like arranging these crackers standing tall in a festive jar filled with fake snow or crushed candy cane bits. They become both a decoration and a treat! Another idea is to stack them like mini snowmen or create a themed platter with assorted chocolates and mints.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the chocolate has fully set, I transfer the crackers to an airtight container or jar. Keeping them at room temperature works great—just make sure they’re away from heat and moisture. They stay crisp and fresh for up to a week this way.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these a few times with success by placing parchment between layers and sealing tightly in a freezer-safe bag. When ready, thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to bring back that perfect crunch.
Reheating
You really don’t need to reheat these since they’re best enjoyed chilled or room temp. But if you want that melty chocolate effect, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave (just a few crackers at a time) works—just don’t overdo it or the peppermint candy might soften.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use regular chocolate bars, but candy melts are easier as they don’t require tempering and melt more smoothly. If you use bars, chop them finely and melt gently to avoid seizing or burning the chocolate.
Place the candy canes inside a sealed plastic bag and use a rolling pin or heavy pan to gently crush them into small pieces. This method keeps your kitchen mess-free and gives you control over the size of the peppermint bits.
Absolutely! Use dairy-free chocolate alternatives—there are many vegan chocolate chips or melts available. Just make sure your peppermint candy canes are vegan as well since some brands add non-vegan ingredients.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they’ll stay fresh and crunchy for about a week. Refrigeration can extend their shelf life but may slightly change the texture.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe has become one of my favorite quick treats, especially during the holidays when everyone needs a little spark of joy. It’s approachable, charming, and always well-received. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these crackers as much as I do—it’s like gifting a little bit of comfort and celebration with every bite. Give it a try; you might just find your new go-to festive snack!
Print
Chocolate Peppermint Graham Crackers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in festive Chocolate Peppermint Grahams featuring crispy graham crackers dipped in smooth milk and white chocolates, then topped with crushed peppermint candy canes for a perfect holiday treat.
Ingredients
Chocolate Coating
- 11 ounce package milk chocolate, melted
- 11 ounce package white chocolate, melted
Toppings and Base
- 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
- 24 graham cracker squares (or 12 full size crackers)
Instructions
- Melt Milk Chocolate: Place the milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir, then continue heating in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted, approximately 90 seconds total.
- Dip Graham Crackers in Milk Chocolate: Dip one end of each graham cracker square into the melted milk chocolate and lay them on parchment paper to set. Repeat this for all graham crackers.
- Allow Milk Chocolate to Set: Let the milk chocolate coating harden at room temperature or refrigerate briefly for about 15 minutes to speed up setting.
- Melt White Chocolate: Similarly, melt the white chocolate in the microwave using 30 second intervals, stirring until smooth, just like the milk chocolate.
- Dip Other End in White Chocolate and Add Peppermint: Dip the opposite end of each graham cracker into the melted white chocolate, immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy canes, and place back on parchment paper to set completely.
- Final Setting and Storage: Allow the white chocolate to fully harden at room temperature or in the fridge. Once set, store the Chocolate Peppermint Grahams in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated if you prefer them chilled.
Notes
- Use Ghirardelli candy melts for ease—no tempering required and a rich flavor.
- To speed up chocolate setting, refrigerate dipped grahams for about 15 minutes.
- Store finished treats in an airtight container or jar to maintain freshness.
- Crush candy canes by placing them in a plastic bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin for easy and kid-friendly preparation.
- Dark chocolate can substitute milk chocolate for a richer taste.
- Experiment with using chocolate graham crackers, saltines, or Ritz crackers for different flavor twists.
- Refer to the original blog post for additional tips and variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Leave a Reply