Americans unwrap more than a minty treat on Dec. 26, as National Candy Cane Day reveals a deeper story hiding in every red-and-white stripe. The candy once looked nothing like the version we know now, having started without peppermint or even its familiar curved shape. Over time, small changes turned it into a favorite winter treat that carried new meanings with each twist.
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As National Candy Cane Day draws near, the sweet’s journey from simple church handouts to a seasonal favorite gets renewed attention. Its story keeps growing as the candy gets reimagined for modern tastes and traditions.
Early origins of the candy cane
The beginnings of the candy cane lie somewhere between documented history and old stories, with early versions tied to moments of reward and celebration because sugar was costly. Church accounts trace one origin to 1670 at Cologne Cathedral in Germany, where a choirmaster handed out plain white sugar sticks to keep children quiet during long Christmas services. The treats lasted a while and kept mouths occupied when the choir was not singing.
Curved candy sticks spread across Germany as a Christmas custom and found a place on decorated trees. Families let children enjoy them after Epiphany on Jan. 6, giving the candy a role in the season rather than a single day. In 1847, German-Swedish immigrant August Imgard brought the idea to Wooster, Ohio, where he decorated his tree with candy canes and helped turn a regional practice into an enduring American tradition.
Meaning of stripes and shape
Various sources link the cane’s curved top to church customs. Many accounts claim a choirmaster bent straight candy sticks to resemble a shepherd’s staff connected to the Nativity story. As years passed, people started adding deeper meaning to the candy. Some say the white base symbolizes purity, and the red marks represent the idea of sacrifice. Certain traditions take it further and assign separate meanings to multiple thin stripes and one bold stripe.
Historians caution that these interpretations came later. The symbolism likely grew after the candy became a Christmas treat rather than being part of its original design. Even so, the striped cane has picked up a story that now shapes its identity during the holiday season.
From white to striped
Early records suggest that candy canes stayed completely white well into the late 1800s. The familiar stripes did not arrive until the 1920s, when candymaker Bob McCormack in Albany, Ga., began twisting red into his canes to make them look more festive for Christmas. A popular story links the stripes to religious themes, but McCormack’s work aimed more at boosting holiday cheer than sending a symbolic message.
Flavor changed later, too. For many decades, the candy tasted only of sugar, with no mint at all. Peppermint started appearing around the start of the 20th century, and it quickly became the most common flavor associated with the modern candy cane.
A purpose for leftovers
National Candy Cane Day falls the day after Christmas, a moment when stores carry leftover holiday treats and homes still have sweets hanging on trees or tucked in gift bags. The date turns extra candy into something worth sharing instead of tossing aside, giving families a reason to pass canes around during post-holiday gatherings. It also invites people to use the striped candy in ways that go beyond decoration and treat it as an ingredient for snacks or drinks rather than an ornament saved for display.
Beyond the classic cane
Today’s candy cane goes far beyond the familiar red-and-white peppermint version. Flavors range from fruity to spicy, and some makers introduce novelty choices like sour blends or savory twists. Companies release new versions every year, and many include bright colors, swirl patterns or packaging tied to characters and brands.
The candy also shows up in new ways in home kitchens. Bakers crush canes into toppings for cookies, chocolate bark or winter drinks that need a minty crunch. Crafters treat the striped sticks as materials for wreaths, treat bags or ornaments saved for the next holiday season. There are minis for snacking, oversized versions for display and crushed pieces sold specifically for baking, keeping the cane active well past the holidays.
Tradition carried past Christmas
The charm of the candy cane often appears after Christmas, when leftover sticks become tools for small projects in the kitchen or around the house. Turning them into toppings, decorations or add-ins for treats carries the season’s energy past the holiday rush. That creativity gives the striped candy a purpose beyond the tree and lets the tradition feel personal in the days that follow.
Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her work appears in dozens of publications, including MSN, Yahoo, The Washington Post and The Seattle Times. These days, she’s busy in the kitchen developing recipes and traveling the world, and you can find all her best creations at Cook What You Love.
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