Description
Candy Cane Cookies are festive red-and-white twisted holiday treats with buttery peppermint flavor and a soft, tender texture. They’re fun to make, beautiful to gift, and perfect for December baking, cookie exchanges, and holiday dessert platters.
Ingredients
Scale
-
- For the Dough:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Red food coloring
- Optional Toppings:
- Crushed peppermint candies
- White chocolate drizzle or candy melts
Instructions
- Cream the Butter & Sugars: Beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs & Flavor: Mix in eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add gradually to the wet mixture and blend into dough.
- Divide & Color: Split dough in half. Tint one half red. Wrap both portions in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Shape Cookies: Roll a small rope of red dough and a small rope of white dough (4–5 inches each). Twist together and curve the top to form a candy cane shape. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9–10 minutes until edges are just set. Do not overbake.
- Decorate: Cool on a rack. Add crushed peppermint or drizzle with melted white chocolate if desired.
Notes
- Chill the dough to help cookies keep their shape.
- Twist dough gently to avoid cracks.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant red without overmixing.
- For softer cookies, remove from oven before edges brown.
- Freeze dough ropes for quick make-ahead holiday baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cookies, Christmas Baking, Holiday Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: candy cane cookies, peppermint cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday baking, red and white twist cookies, festive cookies