Are you ready for winter?
Fall is winding down, and the cool, crisp weather is getting colder and wetter. And depending on where you live, you might even have some snow coming in.
The holidays are fast approaching, and that pumpkin spice and apple cider are giving way to more wintry flavors.
My personal favorite is sweet, cool, sinus-clearing peppermint -- it just brings that lovely extra little hint of winter to so many classic creamy or chocolaty desserts.
Here are some of the most deliciously seasonal minty desserts out there:
1. Peppermint "Crack"
It's easy to get hooked on this simple sweet and salty bark, which gets a delicate wafery crunch from saltine crackers. This recipe calls for dark chocolate, which is absolutely sublime with the gentle mint, but milk or white chocolate would work well too.
2. Peppermint Creme Brulee
Who doesn't love cracking into the crispy, sweet caramelized topping and digging into the thick vanilla custard underneath? Well, guess what! Crushed candy canes bring the most delightful extra seasonal crunch! Who would have thought?
3. Peppermint Marshmallows
The perfect addition to your spiked hot chocolate! If you've never made your own marshmallows, you are in for a major treat. If you can find it, a tablespoon or so of marshmallow root powder will improve on the perfection that is this dessert. Yum!
4. Alpine Mint Brownies
Whether you use creme de menthe or peppermint extract, these delicious, rich brownies are going to remind you of those smooth Andes mints in a cakier, fudgier format.
5. Peppermint Cookie Bon-Bombs
Between the cookie base, the rich peppermint ice cream (or flavor of your choice) and your favorite meltable chocolate, this crunchy treat is flavor heaven. Fun, festive and fast!
6. Mint Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies
If you love mint chip, these cakey frosting sandwiches will definitely win you over.