The Best and Worst Seasonal Peppermint Sweets

Source: The Best and Worst Seasonal Peppermint Sweets


Part thrill, part nightmare, the Christmas season is making an earlier appearance than ever with the abundant limited-edition, peppermint-flavored sweets filling grocery store shelves. We raided the aisles to bring you the very worst and best of the holiday-themed candies, cookies, chocolates, and more. As a bonus, we'll even show you the best way to eat all of the treats together at once, in GIF form. May your Christmas be sweet and your pantry peppered with only the most delicious mint-flavored treats!

  • M&M's White Chocolate Peppermint: Eek, M&M's White Chocolate Peppermint ($3) has it all wrong. The chocolate tastes fake, the candy is too sweet, and the mint flavoring is just bad. Avoid at all costs. Save the sugar and calories for something delicious . . . like something further down the slideshow.
    Stars: 1.5

  • Hershey's Candy Cane Bar: We don't have time for imitation treats! Hershey's Candy Cane Bar ($1) tastes disappointingly fake. Where's the white chocolate? The product is sickeningly sweet.
    Stars: 2

  • Peeps Candy Cane Flavored Marshmallows Dipped in Chocolate: We love Peeps, but add cheap, waxy chocolate to the mix, as in these Peeps Candy Cane Flavored Marshmallows Dipped in Chocolate ($3), and it ruins the whole thing.
    Stars: 2

  • Hershey's Kisses Candy Cane: We know the same chocolate is used across all Hershey's products, but the iconic shape and stripes of the Kisses make the flavor's shortcomings more forgivable than in the chocolate bar. The sprinkles in Hershey's Kisses Candy Cane ($3) add an element of surprise and textural contrast. We'd snag one or two if we saw them in a candy bowl.
    Stars: 2.5


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  • Edward Marc Peppermint Snowflake: Though pretty and expensive, Edward Marc Peppermint Snowflake ($5) didn't blow us away in the mint department. We found it more decorative than delicious.
    Stars: 3

  • Theo Coconut Mint: Coconut lovers will enjoy Theo Coconut Mint ($3) for its prominent coconut flavor, slightly bitter chocolate, and nice meltability. There's only a subtle menthol-y aftertaste, so don't expect a huge mint flavor.
    Stars: 3

  • Dark Chocolate Peppermint Roca: The Dark Chocolate Peppermint Roca ($1), though strange in theory, tastes weirdly satisfying. The roasted toffee flavor is studded with peppermint and has a fresh, crunchy flavor.
    Stars: 3

  • Gourmet Peppermint Twists Marshmallows: With an old-school peppermint flavor, Gourmet Peppermint Twists Marshmallows ($2) have a refreshing, cooling aftertaste. The pillowy texture is near perfect, with just enough chewiness.
    Stars: 3

  • Ghirardelli Squares Peppermint Bark With Dark Chocolate: Though the mint flavor of Ghirardelli Squares Peppermint Bark With Dark Chocolate ($4) is pleasant and not too sweet, the texture is extremely waxy.
    Stars: 3.5

  • Hershey's Peppermint Bark Bells: The dark chocolate in Hershey's Peppermint Bark Bells ($3) helps temper the sweetness of the white chocolate. We love the adorable shape and the crunchy sprinkles.
    Stars: 3.5


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  • Jet-Puffed Peppermint Mallows: Classic in Jet-Puffed flavor and texture, the Jet-Puffed Peppermint Mallows ($1) have a slight, subtle mint flavor that is kid-friendly.
    Stars: 3.5

  • Oreos Candy Cane: Oreos Candy Cane ($4) have a cute holiday design, refreshing minty flavor, and subtle, crunchy candy cane pieces. Though not as good as Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe-Joe's, these red and white cookies are still quite delicious.
    Stars: 4

  • Jif Whips Whipped Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mint: Peanut butter, chocolate, and mint surprisingly work in these bipartisan cookies, so we had no hesitation diving our spoons into Jif Whips Whipped Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mint ($5). Light and mousse-like in consistency, the peanut butter, mint, and chocolate are balanced and don't overpower each other. A tub of this is likely to go fast.
    Stars: 4

  • Theo Peppermint Stick: Like an expensive red wine, Theo Peppermint Stick chocolate bar ($3) has sophisticated layers that bloom. It's indulgent, slightly acidic, and rich. The mint hits you on the back end. One square is likely to satisfy in a sitting.
    Stars: 4

  • Milano Slices Peppermint: Dark-chocolate fans, please meet Milano Slices Peppermint ($3). The thick dark chocolate coats the Milano cookie half, then crunchy peppermint pieces top the whole thing.
    Stars: 4


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  • Junior Mints Peppermint Crunch: Though the shell lacks the crunchiness promised in the title, Junior Mints Peppermint Crunch ($1) are just as oozy and minty as ever. Here's a pro tip: pop them in the freezer, then enjoy while watching a Christmas movie with the family.
    Stars: 4

  • Dove Peppermint Bark: Melt-in-your-mouth Dove Peppermint Bark ($4) has, hands down, the smoothest texture to beat. The addition of crunchy peppermint pieces simply sent us swooning.
    Stars: 4.5

  • Milano Minis Candy Cane: Ever eaten a whole bag of Milanos? Yeah, so have we. The next bag with no chance is certainly Milano Minis Candy Cane ($3). The precious size, creamy texture, peppermint flavor, and buttery cookies make us instant fans.
    Stars: 4.5

  • M&M's Holiday Mint: M&M's Holiday Mint ($3) reminds us of those pastel chocolate mints that used to be served by the bowl in restaurants and hotels during the '90s. Beyond having nostalgia in their favor, the M&M's have a mild, sweet mint flavor that we love.
    Stars: 4.5

  • Peeps Peppermint Marshmallow Stars: Peeps Peppermint Marshmallow Stars ($2) have a crushed peppermint exterior that paves the way to puffy mallow heaven.
    Stars: 4.5

  • Peppermint Sundae: Bonus! We combined only the best peppermint and candy cane treats to form an outrageously delicious peppermint sundae, complete with Oreos Candy Cane, Peeps Peppermint Marshmallow Stars, M&M's Holiday Mint, Dove Peppermint Bark, Junior Mints Peppermint Crunch, and Milano Slices Peppermint.