Description
Candy Cane Cookies are a classic holiday treat that bring joy and festive cheer to any celebration. These beautifully swirled cookies, with their irresistible peppermint flavor and vibrant red and white stripes, have become a beloved tradition for many families. Whether you’re baking them for a cookie exchange, gifting them to loved ones, or simply indulging in a batch for yourself, these Candy Cane Cookies are sure to spread holiday happiness and delight your senses.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Red food coloring (gel preferred)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together on medium-high speed for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Crack in the egg, then stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts until smooth.
4. Gradually mix the flour and salt into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
5. Split the dough into two equal parts. Add red gel food coloring to one half and knead until evenly colored.
6. Roll out teaspoon-sized pieces of each colored dough into ~4-inch ropes. Twist one red and one plain rope together, then curve into a candy cane shape.
7. Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1-2 inches apart. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden and the tops remain pale.
8. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy these festive treats!
Notes
To ensure your Candy Cane Cookies turn out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
– Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature for the best results.
– Accurately measure your flour to avoid overly dry or dense cookies.
– Keep a close eye on your cookies in the oven to avoid overbaking.
– Experiment with flavors like almond extract or orange zest for unique variations.
– Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top or drizzle with melted white chocolate for decoration.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg