Walk into any store during December, and you'll spot them instantly—those red-and-white striped hooks of peppermint sweetness hanging from Christmas trees, tucked into stockings, and decorating ...

Start by making your crème brûlée base as usual. Follow the recipe for making the custard, but in place of some of the vanilla, add a little peppermint extract. I like to do 1/2 tsp. vanilla and 1/2 ...