Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: December 26th, 2021. Even though Christmas is past now, I love Candy Canes and now that were taking down the Christmas Tree, I have a lot of Candy Canes to eat. Would you like a Candy Cane or two?
National Candy Cane Day
Why National Candy Cane Day?
Today is celebrated to appreciate the Candy Canes history and its taste. The Candy Cane is a cane-shaped hard candy stick. Traditionally the Candy Cane has red and white stripes flavored with Peppermint known as Peppermint Sticks. Nowadays the Candy Cane is also made in a variety of flavors, colors, and thicknesses. Though the Candy Cane is available all through the year, they’re in high demand during the Christmas Holiday in the U.S. So National Candy Cane Day is celebrated a day after Christmas.
How to celebrate National Candy Cane Day?
- Post pictures with Candy Canes on Social Media using the Hashtag #NationalCandyCaneDay
- You can also post recipes to use up leftover Candy Canes after Christmas.
- Since the Holiday is a day after Christmas, enjoy the day with munching on Candy Canes bought and received for Christmas. Candy Canes have only Sugar. There is no Fat or Cholesterol feel free to indulge in the taste of Candy Canes this National Candy Cane Day.
- Did you know you can make your own Candy Cane if you’re feeling extra festive?
- With lots of leftover Candy Canes after Christmas, try \recipes like Candy Cane Brownies, Cupcakes, Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix, and enjoy the Holidays with family.
- Tired of baking for Christmas refresh yourself with a warm Candy Cane Hot Chocolate in Winter prepared from the leftover Candy Canes using the recipe below:
Slow-cooked Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
3 cups Sugar
2 cups Cocoa Powder
12 cups Whole Milk
2tspn Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Kosher Salt
8oz Dark Chocolate bar finely chopped
24 Peppermint Candy Canes crushed
3 cups Mini Marshmallows
Method:
- Whisk together Sugar, and Cocoa Powder in a Slow Cooker ie Crock Pot. Turn on the Slow Cooker to high and slowly whisk in the Milk. Add Vanilla and Salt and cook covered for 1.5hrs
- Open the lid and whisk in chopped Dark Chocolate a little at a time till incorporated. Cook for 30mins
- Turn Slow Cooker to warm and serve the Hot Chocolate in small bowls of Crushed Candy Canes and Mini Marshmallows.
- For Peppermint Hot Chocolate, let a few teaspoons of crushed Candy Cane melt in an 8-ounce cup and serve hot.
Interesting Facts on National Candy Cane Day:
- Originally Candy Canes were hard, straight and a white candy stick invented by a French Priest in the 1400s.
- Legend says that in 1670, a choirmaster in a Cathedral in Germany bent the Candy Cane in the form of a cane to represent a Shepherd’s Staff.
- Did you know Candy Canes with red stripes were introduced in the early 1900s?
- Urban legends say that the Candy Cane’s shape represents the first letter of Jesus ‘J’, the white color represents Jesus’s purity, red color his Crucification, the solid texture symbolizes the solid rock foundation of the Church and the crooked shape the Shepherds crook.
- According to records, recipe of Peppermint Candy Sticks was written in 1844 and were recorded as hung from Christmas Trees since 1874.
- Whatever the legend be, Candy Canes have become a traditional part of Christmas celebrations. So, enjoy the day.
- Making Candy Canes cab be a tedious job especially in huge quantities. Machine for making Candy Canes was invented in 1921 by Brasher O. Westerfield.
- Nearly 1.76 billion Candy Canes are made each year.
- The biggest Candy Cane was 51ft long as recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.
History of National Candy Cane Day:
The origin of the Holiday is unknown.
Twitter Hashtags: #NationalCandyCaneDay #CandyCaneDay
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
