Okay listen… if Christmas had a scent, it would be peppermint and sugar melting in your oven. 🍬 This DIY is pure holiday magic — part baking experiment, part craft, and all-around adorable. You literally pop candies in the oven, watch them melt into the prettiest glossy red-and-white designs, and then shape them into ornaments or bowls. It’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing this every year.
They make perfect handmade gifts, tree ornaments, candy dishes, or even little hostess thank-yous. And the best part? No fancy equipment. Just a baking sheet, parchment, and some cookie cutters. This is beginner-friendly, kid-approved, and looks straight out of a Pinterest Christmas board.
🧺 What You’ll Need
All you need are a few simple things — most you probably already have at home (and if not, I’m linking my favorite versions here for you).
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Peppermint candies (the round red-and-white ones work best)
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Cookie cutters (trees, stars, snowflakes, hearts)
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Oven-safe bowl (for shaping candy bowls)
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Ribbon or jute twine (for ornaments)
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Nonstick spray or a tiny bit of shortening
🍬 Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1 — Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
If you’re using cookie cutters, lightly grease the inside so the melted candy doesn’t stick.
Step 2 — Arrange the Candies
Lay a cookie cutter flat on your baking sheet and fill the inside with a single layer of peppermint candies. They’ll spread as they melt, so keep them close together but not overlapping.
For bowls:
Skip the cookie cutters. Just create a tight circle of peppermints directly on your lined baking sheet — about 6 to 8 inches wide.
Step 3 — Bake (And Watch the Magic)
Slide your tray into the oven and bake for 6–8 minutes.
Keep an eye on it — they melt fast! You want them soft and glossy, not bubbling or brown.
Step 4 — Shape Fast
Now move quickly — they cool in under a minute.
Let them cool for about 10–15 seconds (not too long though as we are going to poke a small hole at the top using a metal straw or skewer before it sets - this is where your ribbon or twine will go - these directions follow).
Carefully lift your candy sheet (parchment and all) and place it over the bottom of an upside-down oven-safe bowl. Gently press to mold it into shape.
Step 5 — Make the Hanging Hole for Ornaments
Now here’s the part you’ll want to move quickly on — these candies cool fast!
Once your ornament has just started to set (about 10–15 seconds out of the oven), take a metal straw or skewer and gently press down at the top to make a small hole. This is where your ribbon or twine will go later.
👉 Pro Tip: If it starts to harden before you’ve made the hole, don’t panic! Just pop it back in the oven for about 20–30 seconds to soften again. You can even twist the straw slightly as you press to get a cleaner opening.
Step 6 — Cool and Decorate
Once they’ve cooled completely, gently pop them out of the cookie cutters or off the parchment. Thread your ribbon or twine through the hole, and voila — instant peppermint ornaments!
For the bowls, just peel off the parchment and admire how glossy and cute they turned out.
💡 Tips for the Perfect Peppermint Craft
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If they harden too fast to shape, just pop them back in the oven for 30 seconds.
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Store them in a cool, dry place (heat or humidity = sticky mess).
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Wrap in cellophane or shrink wrap for adorable handmade gifts.
✨ Final Look
🎁 Final Thoughts
This is one of those crafts that feels way fancier than it is. The finished pieces look store-bought, they smell like heaven, and they’ll make your home feel like the North Pole. Whether you hang them on your tree, fill them with treats, or give them as gifts — everyone’s going to ask how you made them.
So grab a bag of peppermints, crank up the Christmas playlist, and let’s bake some ornaments!
If this project made your kitchen smell like Christmas, wait till you see what’s next! 🎄 Tap save to keep this tutorial for later, and don't forget to check out my other DIY projects for your home!
Let’s make your home feel cozy, creative, and totally handmade this holiday season. 🍬✨
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