Crushing peppermint candy canes is a simple process often done to use the festive pieces in **baking**, **decorating**, or as a topping for drinks like hot cocoa. While the process can involve different tools, the physical act of crushing can be quite satisfying, as noted in references, describing the feeling of giving them a "little ooh whack o o oo some more."
Here are common methods for effectively crushing candy canes:
## Popular Methods for Crushing Candy Canes
There are two primary ways to crush candy canes, depending on the tools you have available and the desired consistency.
### Method 1: Using a Bag and Mallet or Rolling Pin
This is a classic manual method that allows for control over the texture, from coarse chunks to fine powder. It also involves the satisfying physical action described in the reference.
1. **Gather Supplies:** You'll need peppermint candy canes, a sturdy, sealable plastic bag (like a zip-top bag), a rolling pin, a meat mallet, or even a heavy pan.
2. **Prepare the Candy Canes:** Break larger candy canes into smaller pieces that fit comfortably in the bag if necessary.
3. **Place in Bag:** Put the candy cane pieces inside the sturdy plastic bag. A double bag can prevent tears.
4. **Remove Air:** Seal the bag, pushing out as much excess air as possible.
5. **Crush:** Place the bag on a hard, protected surface (like a cutting board). Use your tool of choice (mallet, rolling pin) to firmly hit or roll over the candy canes inside the bag. This is where the "whack" comes in! Apply repeated force until the candy canes reach your desired consistency.
6. **Check Consistency:** Open the bag carefully and check the size of the crushed pieces. Continue crushing if you need finer pieces.
* **Benefit:** Provides control over chunk size and can be quite fun and therapeutic, echoing the sentiment that "it feels so good to crush things."
### Method 2: Using a Food Processor
This method is faster, especially for larger quantities, and results in a more uniformly crushed product, often finer than manual methods.
1. **Gather Supplies:** You'll need peppermint candy canes and a food processor or strong blender.
2. **Prepare the Candy Canes:** Break candy canes into pieces small enough to fit easily into the food processor bowl without jamming the blade.
3. **Process:** Place the candy cane pieces in the food processor bowl.
4. **Pulse:** Secure the lid and use the 'pulse' function in short bursts. This allows you to check the consistency as you go and prevent over-processing into a fine powder if you prefer some texture.
5. **Check Consistency:** Continue pulsing until the candy canes are crushed to your desired size.
* **Benefit:** Quick, efficient, and yields consistent results, great for large batches or very fine crumbs.
## Table: Comparing Crushing Methods
| Feature | Bag and Mallet/Rolling Pin | Food Processor |
| :--------------- | :----------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| **Speed** | Slower, manual | Faster, especially for large amounts |
| **Consistency** | Can vary (chunky to fine), manual control | More uniform, often finer |
| **Mess Level** | Low (if bag doesn't break) | Low |
| **Effort** | Requires physical effort | Minimal physical effort |
| **Tool Needs** | Sturdy bag, mallet/rolling pin | Food processor/blender |
| **Tactile Feel** | High (satisfying to whack/roll) | Low |
By using either a manual method involving a sturdy bag and blunt force (like a "whack" with a mallet) or the speed of a food processor, you can effectively crush peppermint candy canes for your culinary or decorative needs.
