Chocolate Peppermint Grahams Recipe

Jolly Chocolate Peppermint Grahams Recipe for Holiday Magic

Sweet crunchy chocolate peppermint grahams deliver pure holiday magic right to your taste buds.

Crisp graham crackers become irresistible canvases for decadent chocolate and cool mint flavors.

Winter gatherings deserve something special that sparks conversation and smiles.

Homemade treats like these create instant memories with minimal kitchen effort.

Each bite combines rich chocolate’s depth with refreshing peppermint’s bright essence.

Simple ingredients transform into an elegant dessert anyone can master.

You’ll want to make multiple batches because these vanish faster than snowflakes in sunshine.

Why Chocolate Peppermint Grahams Taste Like The Holidays

  • Craft a Stunning Dessert: Create a professional-looking treat that looks like it came straight from a gourmet bakery, with gorgeous layers and professional-quality presentation.
  • Minimal Kitchen Skills Required: Perfect for bakers of all levels, this recipe demands simple techniques like melting chocolate and pressing a crust, making it accessible for beginners and fun for experienced cooks.
  • No-Bake Holiday Delight: Skip complicated baking steps and enjoy a festive dessert that comes together quickly without turning on the oven, saving precious time during busy holiday seasons.
  • Customize with Ease: Play with chocolate types, adjust peppermint intensity, or add personal touches like different sprinkles or extra sea salt to make the recipe uniquely yours.

Ingredients For Chocolate Peppermint Grahams

For the Crust:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: The foundational base that provides a sweet and crumbly texture.
  • Butter: Creates a rich and binding element for the crust.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps compact the crust.
For the Chocolate Layer:
  • Chocolate Chips: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and smooth consistency.
  • Heavy Cream: Ensures a silky and glossy chocolate mixture.
  • Butter: Enhances richness and helps create a smooth chocolate layer.
For the Topping:
  • White Chocolate Chips: Provides a creamy and sweet white chocolate base.
  • Peppermint Extract: Introduces a refreshing and cool mint flavor.
  • Candy Canes: Offers a festive crunch and peppermint essence.
  • Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness.

How To Make Chocolate Peppermint Grahams Easily

Step 1: Create Crunchy Graham Cracker Base

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, allowing extra edges to hang over. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat, then mix with:
  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Granulated sugar

Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan, creating a solid foundation. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.

Step 2: Craft Luxurious Chocolate Layer

Combine ingredients in a heatproof bowl:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Heavy cream
  • Butter

Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. Pour over the chilled graham cracker crust, tilting to ensure complete coverage. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to solidify.

Step 3: Crush Candy Cane Topping

Use a rolling pin or food processor to transform candy canes into fine, delicate fragments.

Step 4: Prepare Peppermint White Chocolate Drizzle

Melt white chocolate chips in a separate bowl until completely liquid. Stir in peppermint extract, creating an aromatic and vibrant topping.

Step 5: Decorate and Finish

Drizzle the peppermint-infused white chocolate across the chocolate layer in elegant zigzag patterns. Sprinkle:
  • Crushed candy canes
  • A pinch of sea salt

Chill the entire dessert for 30 minutes until completely firm. Remove from pan using parchment edges and slice into neat squares before serving.

Tips For Better Chocolate Peppermint Grahams

  • Prep Like a Pro: Line your baking pan with parchment paper for hassle-free removal and easy cutting of the dessert.
  • Crush Candy Canes Perfectly: Use a rolling pin or food processor to create fine, uniform candy cane pieces that distribute evenly across the dessert.
  • Melt Chocolate Smoothly: Microwave chocolate in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to prevent burning and achieve a glossy, smooth texture.
  • Layer with Precision: Pour and tilt chocolate layers gently to ensure complete and even coverage across the graham cracker crust.
  • Boost Flavor Complexity: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the white chocolate layer to enhance the sweet peppermint and chocolate flavors, creating a sophisticated taste profile.

Tasty Mix-Ins For Chocolate Peppermint Grahams

  • No-Bake Peppermint Bark Bars: Replace graham cracker crust with crushed Oreo cookies for a darker, richer base that complements the white chocolate peppermint layer.
  • Gluten-Free Festive Squares: Swap graham crackers with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour mixture to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Dark Chocolate Mint Variation: Substitute white chocolate with dark chocolate and use mint extract instead of peppermint for a more intense, less sweet flavor profile.
  • Vegan Candy Cane Treat: Use coconut oil instead of butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, and plant-based cream to create a completely vegan-friendly version of the dessert.

What To Pair With Chocolate Peppermint Grahams

  • Harmonize with Hot Beverage: Rich espresso or dark roast coffee perfectly complements the chocolate's deep flavor, cutting through the sweetness while enhancing the peppermint's cool notes.
  • Match with Creamy Libation: Smooth peppermint schnapps or a chilled white Russian creates a decadent flavor experience that amplifies the dessert's minty chocolate profile.
  • Elevate with Contrasting Drink: Cold milk or creamy almond milk provides a refreshing counterpoint, softening the intense chocolate and peppermint intensity while cleansing the palate.
  • Surprise with Unexpected Pairing: Spiced chai tea offers warm, complex undertones that beautifully highlight the dessert's rich chocolate and crisp peppermint elements.

How To Store Chocolate Peppermint Grahams Right

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep chilled for up to 5 days, maintaining optimal texture and flavor.
  • Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
  • Not recommended due to chocolate's sensitivity to temperature. Chocolate layers may melt or lose structural integrity at room temperature.
  • Allow refrigerated dessert to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, which can compromise texture and cause chocolate to separate.

Simple FAQ For Chocolate Peppermint Grahams

  • Are candy canes essential for this recipe?

Candy canes add festive crunch and peppermint flavor, but you can substitute with crushed peppermint candies or skip if unavailable.

  • Can I use different types of chocolate?

Yes, dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate work well. Choose a high-quality chocolate for best results.

  • How finely should I crush the candy canes?

Aim for a mix of fine powder and small, crunchy fragments to create interesting texture and even distribution.

  • Is sea salt really necessary?

Sea salt enhances chocolate’s richness and balances sweetness, but you can omit if you prefer a purely sweet treat.

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Chocolate Peppermint Grahams Recipe

Chocolate Peppermint Grahams Recipe


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4.6 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Irresistible chocolate peppermint grahams dance with festive holiday cheer, blending rich cocoa and cool mint in a delightful seasonal treat. Sweet crunch meets silky chocolate, promising pure indulgence you won’t be able to resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Base:

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Chocolate Layer:

  • 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Peppermint Topping:

  • 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
  • 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
  • 2 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring overhang for easy removal later.
  2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, then remove from stove and combine with graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar until thoroughly moistened and compact.
  3. Press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan, creating a smooth, uniform base. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the crust.
  4. For the chocolate layer, combine chocolate chips, heavy cream, and butter in a heatproof bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely smooth and glossy.
  5. Pour the molten chocolate mixture over the chilled graham cracker crust, tilting the pan to ensure an even coverage. Return to refrigerator for 20 minutes to solidify.
  6. Crush candy canes into fine, delicate fragments using a rolling pin or food processor.
  7. Melt white chocolate chips in a separate bowl, stirring until completely liquid and silky.
  8. Stir peppermint extract into the melted white chocolate, creating an aromatic and vibrant topping.
  9. Drizzle the peppermint-infused white chocolate over the set chocolate layer in elegant, zigzag patterns.
  10. Immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes and a delicate pinch of sea salt across the surface for textural contrast and enhanced flavor.
  11. Chill the entire dessert for 30 minutes until completely firm. Lift from pan using parchment edges and slice into neat squares before serving.

Notes

  • Choose high-quality chocolate chips for richer, more intense flavor profiles in your dessert.
  • Crush candy canes precisely for consistent texture and even distribution across the surface.
  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to promote smoother mixing and better ingredient integration.
  • Use parchment paper overhang as a convenient lifting mechanism for clean, effortless cutting and serving.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Jackson Reid

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Single-serving recipe development
  • Global flavor fusion
  • Minimalist cooking techniques
  • Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training


Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.

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