DIY Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

My mother also gives the kids these giant candy canes every Christmas and I don't have the heart to tell her that they just don't like them quite that much.

In years past, I would let them sit in the pantry for six months before finally throwing them away. This year I had a better idea - DIY Candy Cane Sugar Scrub! I guess I am recycling candy canes :). Super easy and fast and would make a great gift.

Ingredients (makes one batch)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes
• 1/2 cup cooking oil (I used canola, but any type would work - sunflower, olive, safflower - I think a lighter oil works best)
• 8 drops peppermint oil (optional)

Yep, that's it! The essential peppermint oil is optional, but it makes it smell fabulous. You can buy it a health food store and some craft stores carry essential oils. I used five regular candy canes and that giant one you see in the photo. I was able to make three batches; each batch is about 1.25 cups of scrub.

Directions

First I pulverized the candy canes in a food processor until they were finely ground.

Look at that giant candy cane!

Finely crush them all, then mix in the sugar, canola oil and peppermint oil:

Fill a jar with the scrub and you're done!

These would make great gifts, but I kept them for myself :). I have one at the kitchen sink and one in the shower.

I mostly use it on my hands and feet, but I think you could use it anywhere. I especially love it in the shower because the peppermint is a nice wake-me-up on our cold winter mornings.