Starbucks Has a CANDY CANE Frappuccino on the Secret Menu—Here’s How to Order
Updated: May 12, 2022
You won't want to leave this Candy Cane Frappuccino out for Santa...
Whether you’re already cozying up with a piping hot PSL or clinging onto the last few days of warm weather, Christmas is on the way. As the weather cools down, Starbucks is heating up, already debuting this year’s holiday line of tumblers and mugs. While we’re still waiting on Starbucks’ holiday menu, the secret menu is going all out for the biggest day of the year.
Step aside, Peppermint Mocha—this holiday season is all about cooling down with the Candy Cane Frappuccino. Even the jolly man himself would crave a sip of all this decadence!
How to Order a Candy Cane Frappuccino
If peppermint is your favorite seasonal flavor, you’re in luck—the Candy Cane Frappuccino is an easy-to-order mix of all things sweet and minty. Start your order off with any size you like of a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. Next, ask your barista to add peppermint (no mocha!) to the blender. That will be one pump for a Tall, one and a half pumps for a Grande or two pumps for a Venti.
We got a sneak peek of this minty Frappuccino courtesy of @momof8dogs on Instagram:
Finish off your new favorite holiday drink with whipped cream and some holiday sugar sparkles—as soon as your location gets them in stock. (If you’re still looking for a little garnish, there’s no harm in crunching up last year’s candy canes for a super festive topping. Yum!)
Here’s how to make candy canes.
Keep Your Barista in Mind
While this is one of the easier secret menu drinks to order, you’ll still want to have the recipe ready at the drive-thru window. Make sure you specify the base Frappuccino is a creme-based Vanilla Bean—otherwise, you may end up with a Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino, which most baristas are used to making around this time of year.
Every Peppermint Recipe You'll Ever Need
White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
I make many batches of this minty peppermint fudge to give as Christmas gifts. It's not too sweet, so it appeals to lots of palates. Make sure you're using the best white chocolate chips for the best fudge! —Sue Schindler, Barnesville, Minnesota
Peppermint Meltaways
This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I often cover a plate of these peppermint cookies with red or green plastic wrap and a bright holiday bow in one corner. And yes, they really do melt in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
Minted Chocolate Torte
Our family has enjoyed this remarkable layered cake for years. It's a favorite for many occasions. —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Classic dark chocolate peppermint bark gets a new look by swirling dark and white chocolate together. You can also layer them if you wish. Be sure to use real peppermint oil (not extract) so your chocolate won't seize into a big clump. When you're done, try even more chocolate bark recipes. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Peppermint Bark Trifle
We're always looking for those showstopping desserts, especially during the holidays. This one is very impressive, but couldn't be easier to make. No one will ever know it's made with a store-bought angel food cake. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Peppermint Stick Dessert
With every spoonful of this cool, creamy concoction, my family goes back in time to when our Grandma Dagmar made it each Christmas. The minty, refreshing flavor can't be topped. —Dianne Oertel, Racine, Wisconsin
Hidden Mint Morsels
Is it a cookie or a candy? No matter which answer folks choose, they find these minty morsels yummy. The recipe makes so much that you can whip up tons of gifts at once. —Adina Skilbred, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Peppermint Cheesecake
People are thrilled when they see me coming with this rich, smooth cheesecake—it's always a crowd pleaser. Not only does it look sensational, but it is so scrumptious. —Carrie Price, Ottawa, Illinois
Candy Cane Chocolate Mini Loaves
Having a bunch of leftover candy canes after the holidays inspired me to use them up by adding them to a chocolate bread. Coffee and cocoa intensify the flavor. —Shelly Platten, Amherst, Wisconsin
Peppermint Chip Cheesecake
I love to make cheesecakes and frequently give them as gifts or donate them to fundraisers. This one is very popular. —Gretchen Ely, West Lafayette, Indiana
Hot Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
These chocolate peppermint cookies are a variation of the cookies my mother made when I was growing up. Now my 13-year-old daughter and I bake them together. They’re always a huge hit! The taste is like rich hot chocolate baked into a scrumptious cookie. —Larry Piklor, Johnsburg, Illinois
Peppermint Puff Pastry Sticks
I wanted to impress my husband's family with something you'd expect to find in a European bakery, and these chocolaty treats are what I came up with. The flaky pastry melts in your mouth. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Peppermint Cream Pound Cake
I came up with this recipe when I was looking for a twist on traditional pound cake. I love the look and flavor of peppermint, especially at Christmas, so it seemed like a natural pairing. Everyone at work loved the results, and my family did, too. — Carolyn Webster, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Mint Chocolate Snaps
It wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't make this cookie. Several years ago, I submitted the recipe to our local newspaper and it won first prize of $35. Since then, my family refers to it as the "&35 Cookie"!
Candy Cane Souffle
I came up with this recipe by modifying one of my mom's gelatin-based desserts. The pretty pink sweet is a welcome sight on the table.—Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Peppermint Pretzel Dippers
A friend made these treats and gave them away in pretty canning jars. The combination of sweet, salty and peppermint is just right. Try dipping them in white candy coating and rolling them in crushed candy canes for variety.—Michelle Krzmarzick, Redondo Beach, California
Candy Cane Blossom Cookies
We like to stir different flavored candy canes into the dough for fun variety. —Joan Cossette, Colbert, Washington
Frozen Peppermint Delight
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s festive, delicious and easy to make, this is the one for you. Drizzled in hot fudge sauce and loaded with pretty peppermint pieces, this almost tempting treat will have guests asking for seconds. —Pam Lancaster, Willis, Virginia
Mint Sandwich Cookies
Canned frosting, peppermint extract and chocolate candy coating quickly turn crackers into these wonderful little no-bake cookies. My children and I like to assemble them for parties and holidays. I hope you and your family enjoy them as much as we do. -Melissa Thompson, Anderson, Ohio
Oreos and Candy Cane Chocolate Bark
There are incredible surprises in this festive bark, including dark chocolate, candy canes and cream-filled cookies. We keep a big supply ready for gift-giving. —Robin Turner, Lake Elsinore, California
Candy Cane Snowballs
I bake dozens of kinds of Christmas cookies to give to family and friends. I came up with this recipe when I had leftover candy canes. We dip the snowballs into a white candy coating, then into crushed peppermint candy. —Debby Anderson, Stockbridge, Georgia
Peppermint Cream Sandwich Cookies
My mother and I made these crisp chocolate peppermint sandwich cookies together. They are a perfect addition to any party. —Donna Williamson, Round Rock, Texas
Peppermint Milkshakes
Rich ice cream and refreshing peppermint make this peppermint milkshake recipe a special treat, especially during the holidays. For a twist on this classic, stir in chocolate syrup and top with chocolate shavings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate & Peppermint Ice Cream Roll
Here's an extra-special treat from the freezer. Peppermint ice cream rolled into a homemade chocolate cake gives dinner a refreshing finale. —Jill Evely, Wilmore, Kentucky
Mocha Mint Coffee
This doctored-up coffee benefits from hints of mint, cocoa and cinnamon. The marshmallows on top are a playful addition that brings out the youngster in anyone. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
I created this mint chocolate cheesecake for our high school's annual fundraiser. We were told that it brought a hefty price and was one of the first desserts to go! If desired, you can stir the cookie pieces into the batter instead of adding them in a layer. Keep the pieces fairly small; if they're too large they have a tendency to rise to the top. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Chocolate Mint Dreams
Since chocolate and mint is my favorite flavor combination, these dainty frosted treats are hard to resist. But I manage to save some for guests, because they make my cookie trays look so elegant. —Anne Revers, Omaha, Nebraska
Chocolate Peppermint Spritz Cookies
I love to make spritz cookies. Each year I make several varieties of cookies and then deliver them to friends. I love to watch them crack a smile when they see a plate full of cookies. —Margaret Otley, Waverly, Nebraska
Peppermint Biscotti
Dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint candy, these flavorful biscotti are a favorite. They are among the many sweets I make for Christmas. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Perfect Peppermint Patties
Calling for just a few ingredients, this is one candy that's simple to prepare. I make lots of different candy at Christmas to give as gifts. It's time consuming, but worth it to see the delight it brings to people. -Joanne Adams, Bath, Maine
Mint Swirl Fudge Cake
Mint pairs with a silky, mild chocolate flavor for this colorful, beautiful cake that will be the talk of the holiday buffet. —Heidi Kelly, Norwood, Missouri
Peppermint Red Velvet Hot Chocolate
Add a festive touch to your next cup of drinking chocolate. The red velvet pairs nicely with the traditional peppermint and chocolate flavor combination. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor, Culinary
Frosty Peppermint Dessert
This creamy freeze with candy and a chocolate crust delivers make-ahead convenience. I'll often whip up two.—Carolyn Satterfield, Emporia, Kansas Fan of a frosty peppermint flavor? Try Wendy's new peppermint frosty for a fast-food take.
Chocolate Mint Creams
This recipe came from an old family friend and is always high on everyone's cookie request list. I make at least six batches for Noel nibbling and give some away as gifts. —Beverly Fehner, Gladstone, Missouri
White Chocolate Peppermint Crunch
This is my favorite confection to make at Christmas. Not only is it easy, it's delicious as well. I like to fill small bags with the crunchy candy to place in gift baskets.—Nancy Shelton, Boaz, Kentucky
Peppermint Lava Cakes
It never ceases to amaze to see warm chocolate pudding ooze out of the center of this tender chocolate cake. These cakes are a showstopper on a plate! Serve lava cakes with whipped cream or ice cream. —Carolyn Crotser, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Shortcut Peppermint Layer Cake
When I first made this cake it was snowing outside, the entire family was home, and we enjoyed it all together. A perfectly pretty holiday cake for a perfect holiday moment! Be sure to measure the the peppermint extract carefully—it's strong, and a little bit goes a very long way. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Easy Mint Thins
My friends often try to guess the ingredients, but I never tell them how simple they are to make. They taste just like the Girl Scout cookie, and they're perfect for Christmas and bake sales. —Jennifer Setser, Morgantown, Indiana
Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Santa is sure to stop by your house if you leave these minty triple-chocolate peppermint cookies waiting for him. They're quick and easy for the whole family to make together. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
Swirled Mint Cookies
No one will believe that these rich and buttery cookies are light, but they are! With their colorful swirls, each one of these minty, sugary bites has its own look. —Lois Hill, Thomasville, North Carolina
Peppermint Cheesecake on a Stick
Surprise guests with a fun holiday treat—dipped cheesecake wedges you can eat without a fork. Whenever my son has one, he jokes that he wants to quit his job so he can sell them! —Maria Morelli, Kelowna, British Columbia
Chilly Snow Day Floats
On your next snow day, pass out these frothy floats and everybody will be glad they're cooped up with you. Cream soda works with the peppermint ice cream, too. —Julianne Schnuck, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mint Chocolate Wafers
My grandmother gave me a cookbook stuffed with recipes. This is a slight twist on one of the first—and best—recipes I made from the book. It's best to store these in the refrigerator. —Mary Murphy, Evansville, Indiana
Frozen Grasshopper Torte
I first made this minty cool torte for a ladies' meeting at our church. I’m still making it, and the compliments keep coming. —Elma Penner, Oak Bluff, Manitoba
Chocolate Mint Wafers
These festive cookies remind my family of after dinner mints. With my husband and our two children munching on these chocolaty treats with cool mint filling, a batch never stays around long. —Annette Esau, Durham, Ontario
Christmas Candy Cane Cookies
These cookies were a holiday tradition in my family since I was a young child. Now my own family requests them before any others at Christmas. —Pat Schmeling, Germantown, Wisconsin
Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake
After making some delicious dessert bars, I was determined to turn the recipe into a chocolate peppermint cheesecake. This festive dessert is the result and one of my favorites to serve for the holidays. Whether I share it with family or give it as a gift, it always receives rave reviews. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Chocolate-Mint Dream Sandwich Cookies
For the family cookbook, my cousin submitted a cookie I've tinkered with, and it’s a showstopper. These dreamy cookies with chocolate and mint pretty much melt in your mouth. —Shannon Koene, Blacksburg, Virginia
Winter Wishes Trifle
I created this light and fluffy trifle for a dear friend who was looking for a stunning dessert. This recipe hit the mark. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
Candy Cane Pie
When my college roommate first made this pie, I couldn't get enough! Using a store-bought crust helps save time when you're in the midst of the holidays. —Charlotte Stewart, Mesa, Arizona
Chocolate Toffee Peppermint Cookies
Chocolate and peppermint are a natural match, so I put them together in this easy cookie recipe. It's one of our favorite holiday cookies because it tastes delicious and there's no fussy decorating. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Peppermint Popcorn
Crisp and minty, this simple popcorn snack is a hit with all 10 of our children. For variety, use whatever kind of candy you like. —Shirley Mars, Kent, Ohio
Peppermint Candy Sandwich Cookies
I love to include a little homemade treat in teacher and hostess gifts, and these delicious lovelies (that come together in minutes) never fail to charm. They store well in an airtight container at room temperature. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
Peppermint Stars
I make these buttery mint cookies each Christmas because they're my daughter's favorite. Use whatever cookie cutter design you prefer. —Lois White, Brookfield, Missouri
Peppermint Brownies
My grandmother encouraged me to enter these mint brownies in the county fair some years ago—and they earned top honors! They're a delicious treat to serve during the holidays. —Marcy Greenblatt, Redding, California
Candy Cane Punch
Peppermint ice cream makes this creamy drink taste—and look—more like a dessert than a punch! I've mixed it many times for ladies' lunches and buffets. For a fun garnish, hang mini candy canes around the punch bowl or on cups. —Neva Schnauber, Ft. Collins, Colorado
Candy Cane Shortbread Bars
I created these bars for my daughter, who loves peppermint. The buttery shortbread texture just melts in your mouth. It’s a hit wherever I take it. —Susan Ciuffreda, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Chocolate Peppermint Log
What a great make-ahead treat! This cake log is perfect for the holidays because you can make it when you have time, store it in the freezer and scratch dessert off of your to-do list. —Brenda Sinclair, Princeton, Missouri
Peppermint Ice Cream
With flecks of mint candy, this peppermint ice cream recipe is perfect for the holidays. Make the process easy with a good ice cream maker. —Berneice Metcalf, Leavenworth, Washington
Bavarian Mint Fudge
My sister-in-law sent this mint chocolate fudge to us one Christmas, and it's been a traditional holiday treat in our home ever since. With just six ingredients, it couldn't be any easier to make. —Sue Tucker, Edgemoor, South Carolina
Holly Butter Mints
A merrier melt-in-your-mouth sweet than this butter-mint holly would be hard to find! It's inexpensive to make, looks so lovely on a candy tray and doesn't require refrigeration.
Peppermint Patty Sandwich Cookies
At my annual holiday party, these cookies are a big hit with everyone, especially when I mix festive food coloring or crushed candy canes into the filling. —Amy Martin, Vancouver, Washington
Holiday Peppermint Mocha
Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California Having trouble choosing? Check out our top 10 peppermint recipes.
Originally Published: September 30, 2020
