Description
These Christmas Candy Cane Cookies are soft, buttery holiday cookies twisted into festive red and white spirals. They are flavored with vanilla and a hint of peppermint, creating the perfect nostalgic Christmas treat. Crispy on the edges and tender in the center, they make a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie box and are guaranteed to impress guests and kids alike.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Red gel food coloring
For Rolling (Optional)
½ cup crushed peppermint candies
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
1. Prepare the dough
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, mixing until smooth.
2. Add the dry ingredients
Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Divide and color
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Leave one portion plain and color the second portion with red gel food coloring. Mix until the color is even.
4. Shape the candy canes
Roll a small piece of red dough into a rope about 5 inches long. Do the same with a piece of plain dough. Twist the ropes together, then bend the top into a candy cane shape.
5. Coat (optional)
Roll each shaped cookie in the peppermint-sugar mixture for extra sparkle and crunch.
6. Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until set but not browned.
7. Cool and serve
Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. Enjoy warm or store for later.
Notes
For vibrant red, use gel food coloring instead of liquid.
– Cookies keep for 1 week in an airtight container.
– Freeze shaped dough for up to 2 months.
– Add more peppermint if you want stronger flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg