In Celebration of the Candy Cane!
It wouldn't be Christmas without candy canes, those ubiquitous red-and-white striped, hooked sticks of peppermint candy. Find out when and why they were invented, find books and DVDs about their legend, and find some tasty candy cane recipes.
The Candy Cane Story
History of everyone's favorite Christmas candy
The history of the candy cane can be traced back to Germany. In 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral was said to have bent straight white candy sticks into the now-familiar "J" shape to represent a shepherd's staff. He then gave them to children in the choir to keep them happy during long Christmas services. The custom soon spread throughout Europe.Later, candy canes came to America. A German immigrant by the name of August Imgard was the first person to decorate his Christmas tree with candy canes, back in 1847.
Up until this time, candy canes were all-white. It wasn't until about 50 years later that the first red-and-white striped variety appeared. No historical records exist to show who or why the stripes were added, but prior to 1900, Christmas cards only showed all-white candy canes. After that year, striped candy canes became more common.
Around this same time, it's thought that candy makers started adding peppermint flavors to their candy canes, and this soon became the norm. Now candy canes can be found in all sizes and flavors, from green apple to chocolate, but the familiar red and white stripes are still the most popular.
Was the Candy Cane Invented as a Christian Symbol?
Many believe the Christmas candy is a symbol of Christ
History suggests that the familiar staff-shaped candy cane does have Christian roots, as noted above, but no evidence exists to suggest it was invented as a secret symbol for Christianity or to represent Jesus, as some legends have suggested. However, many people still find it a powerful symbol of the season, and prefer the Christian legend.This is one version of the Christian candy cane story:
A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy for Christmas that incorporated symbols from the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white candy to symbolize the virgin birth and the purity of Jesus. He then shaped it in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus and the staff of the "Good Shepherd." Finally, he added red stripes to symbolize Jesus' blood and suffering on the cross.
The candymaker hoped that each time someone ate his creation they would be reminded of Jesus and the great love God gave us at Christmas.
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The story of the Indiana candymaker has been widely circulated and retold, while other stories suggest the candy cane was created long ago as a secret symbol that would allow persecuted Christians to identify one another. Neither version fits the timeline of historical records. The German choirmaster who is credited with turning the usual straight candy sticks into staff-shaped sweets lived in the late 17th century, long after most of Europe had become Christian, and well before Indiana became a state or candy canes came to America. Also, historical records from various parts of the world show the canes were all-white until the early 1900s.
But for those who believe, candy canes are still a wonderful Christian symbol of Christmas.
The Candy Cane Legend
Popular children's book tells a Christian tale of the candy cane's history
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Amazon Price: $9.38 (as of 02/16/2012)
From Amazon: For those who cringe at the creeping materialism surrounding Christmas, a pious story about the origins of the candy cane is definitely a change of pace. A stranger arrives in town one dreary November and begins hammering and sawing away at his newly rented storefront. When a small girl offers her help, she's in for a childhood fantasy-come-true, as it turns out all the shelves and counters are being built for a candy shop. After offering young Lucy gumdrops and lollipops, Mr. Sonneman launches into the history of the candy cane. With his guidance, she discovers that the upturned candy is in the shape of a j--for Jesus. Right side up it looks like a shepherd's staff. And the red stripes? The blood of Christ from his terrible whipping. Lucy and Mr. Sonneman set out on a quest to share this story with everyone in town. Their message (and their gift of the pepperminty red-and-white sticks) brings the whole town together in a joyful celebration of Christmas (and candy).
James Bernardin's old-timey acrylic and colored pencil illustrations are reminiscent of Norman Rockwell, but depict both modern and biblical times. Candy canes will never taste quite the same again.
The Christmas Candy Cane Story on DVD
Bestselling book was turned into an animated show for kids
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Amazon Price: $4.21 (as of 02/15/2012)
Based on the bestselling book, The Legend of the Candy Cane is an inspirational animated Christmas story brimming with Christian virtues. A stranger named John Sonneman and the young Matt, who has recently lost his parents, journey to the sleepy prairie town of West Sage in the company of a talking horse and a mountain goat that's afraid of heights. The newcomers' tempestuous acceptance into the small community effects positive change in the lives of themselves, the townspeople, and even the animals. As John Sonneman prepares to open a candy shop, he bestows a small but priceless gift on a now-motherless girl named Lucy--a red and white striped, peppermint candy cane replete with Christian symbolism. Bright animation, engaging Christian popular and jazz songs, and a timeless message about hope and the power of the individual make this a modern Christmas classic.
Dress Your Car Like a Christmas Candy Cane
Deck your car in red-striped candy
Mystic Industries Candy Cane Vehicle Costume
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 02/15/2012)
Turns your car into a festive, rolling holiday greeting.
Candy Cane Poems
Poems about the Christian legend of the candy cane
Although history doesn't corroborate the idea that the candy cane was invented as a Christian symbol for Jesus, many people enjoy the symbolism. These Christmas Jesus candy cane poems celebrate the Christian folklore of the popular holiday treat.Jesus, Gentle Shepherd,
this cane of red and white
proclaims the sweet love story
born on Christmas night
This cane, you see, when turned around
begins your name of love
and now becomes a symbol
of peace proclaimed above
The lively peppermint flavor
is the regal gift of spice
The white is your purity
and the red your sacrifice
And so this cane reminds us
of just how much you care
and like your Christmas gift to us
it's meant for all to share
----
A significant symbol of Christmas
Is the simple candy cane.
It's shape is the crook of the shepherd,
One of the first who came.
The lively peppermint flavor is
The regal gift of spice.
The white is Jesus' purity.
The red is sacrifice.
The narrow stripes are friendship
And the nearness of his love.
Eternal, sweet compassion,
A gift from God above.
The candy cane reminds us all
how much God loved and cared.
And like His Christmas gift to us
It's meant to be broken and shared.
Candy Cane Shirts and Mugs
Get in the Christmas spirit with these gifts
Traditional or New-Fangled?
How do you like your candy canes?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byRed-and-white striped and pepperminty!
Joanne says:
I say bring back the Egg Nog Flavor candy canes by Bobs. Haven't seen this flavor in about 3 years and really do miss it. However I still like the traditional and some others flavors except Hersey's Chocolate candy cane. Bring back the Egg Nog Flavored canes.
Posted December 10, 2011
WaynesWorld says:
I wrote a little poem for my mom for one of her last Mothers Days. She loved candy canes and the peppermint flavor.
Here's that poem celebrating the things she loved.
All the Thing's We Love (You are Our Mother)
The dew on the green
In the early morning hour
The sunsets seen
The petals of the flower
Skies of blue
A contented sigh
Things old and new
Fresh apple pie
The woodpecker's taps
And summer rains
Afternoon naps
And candy canes
A northern's fight
A whittler's whittle
A child's delight
And peanut brittle
A rooster's crow
Canning beets
The first snow
And flannel sheets
Posted December 09, 2011
Naomi Harrison says:
I want the big peppermint STICK .... the way it was originally. :D
Posted December 24, 2010
Any flavor but peppermint!
RedPanda25 says:
I'm not that big of a fan for peppermint, so I would have to say I like the fruity ones the best!
Posted March 23, 2009
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Candy Cane Cocoa Recipe
Mmm, mmm good on those cold days!
- 4 cups milk
- 1 oz semisweet chocolate squares, chopped into small pieces
- 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 4 small peppermint candy canes
Directions
Heat the milk in a saucepan until it's the desired temperate. Do not boil. Then whisk in the chocolate pieces and the crushed peppermint candies until melted. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream. Add a small candy cane to each mug to serve as a stirring stick. Serves four.
Candy Cane Cookies
This recipe for candy cane cookies is from AllRecipes.com. You'll need the following ingredients:- 1 cup margarine
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
- 1/2 cup peppermint candy canes, crushed
- 1/2 cup white sugar for decoration
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large bowl, cream together the margarine, white sugar and confectioners' sugar. Beat in the egg, vanilla and peppermint extracts. Combine the flour and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until well blended. Cover or wrap dough and chill for at least one hour.
Grease cookie sheets. Divide dough into halves. Color one half red by mixing in the food color. Roll a small amount of each dough into a 2 inch long worm. Roll them together in a twisted rope and curve the end like a cane. Place onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. In a small bowl, mix together the crushed candy cane and remaining white sugar. Roll hot cookies in the sugar mixture.
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Do You Love Candy Canes?
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TamaraKajari
Dec 21, 2011 @ 3:55 pm | delete
- We have regular sweet kind here and I don't like it much. Now I see those are not the real thing :)
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KitandCaboodle Dec 12, 2011 @ 9:58 pm | delete
- Lovely lens on candy canes. Squid angel blessed!
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PositiveChristian
Dec 9, 2011 @ 2:16 pm | delete
- I live in England where candy canes are not associated with Christmas as they are in the USA. I can't say I would get too excited about them as they seem to be very similar to Seaside Rock, which I don't enjoy.
Great lens. Squid-liked and Angel-blessed.
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Merstarr
Nov 29, 2011 @ 8:54 am | delete
- I always thought they came from Santa's toy shop, as some kind of extension of the north 'pole'.. Don't even know if anyone ever told me that, but it's what I figured as a child and never thought about again... until today :)
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Dkprincess6
Oct 28, 2011 @ 11:35 am | delete
- Love those candy canes. I also make the candy cane cookies you have the recipe for. Yum, yum!
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