Candy Cane Cookies: A Sweet Twist on a Holiday Classic

Name: Candy Cane Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Butter; 1 cup Granulated Sugar; 1 large Egg; 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 2 ¾ cups Flour; 1 teaspoon Baking Powder; ½ teaspoon Salt; ½ teaspoon Peppermint Extract; Red Food Coloring (a few drops); Crushed Candy Canes (for decorating)

Ah, the holidays! A time for festive cheer, cozy sweaters, and—let’s be real—an excuse to indulge in all things sugary. If you’re looking for a fun and delicious way to spread some joy (and sugar) this season, candy cane cookies are where it’s at! Seriously, who can resist those delightful red-and-white swirls? 🍭

I remember the first time I tried making these cookie wonders. Spoiler: it didn’t go exactly as planned. But hey, that’s what makes baking fun, right? Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into how to whip up these festive treats, along with some tips, tricks, and maybe a little disaster prevention for your baking adventure.

Why Candy Cane Cookies?

Ever wondered why these cookies are a holiday must-have? Candy cane cookies bring together the sweet crunch of a sugar cookie and the refreshing taste of peppermint. That combination? Absolute magic. Plus, they look super cute on a dessert table or as part of a homemade gift basket. Imagine your friends’ faces when you show up at their door with a box of these bad boys. Talk about a “Holiday Hero” moment!

So, let’s chat about what makes candy cane cookies the star of the holiday baking show!

The Flavors of Christmas

Candy cane cookies channel everything we love about the holidays. Here’s why:

Sweetness: The sugary base is the perfect canvas for sweet decorations.
Peppermint: This iconic flavor is synonymous with the season. Need I say more?
Visual Appeal: The red and white swirls scream “holiday spirit” (and who doesn’t love aesthetics?).

Ingredients You’ll Need

Alright, let’s gather up everything before we start. Here’s a quick list for your shopping spree. It’s time to play Santa with your pantry! 🎅

Basic Ingredients

Butter: 1 cup (no substitute for that creamy goodness)
Granulated Sugar: 1 cup (it’s called candy cane cookies for a reason!)
Egg: 1 large (it basically holds everything together)
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon (because why not add some flavor?)
Flour: 2 ¾ cups
Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
Salt: ½ teaspoon
Peppermint Extract: ½ teaspoon (celebrate the candy cane essence!)
Red Food Coloring: a few drops (to get those festive swirls)
Candy Canes: crushed, for decorating (or for munching… no judgment)

Tools You’ll Need

Mixing bowl
Electric mixer (unless you like giving your arms a workout)
Baking sheet
Parchment paper (for non-stick magic)
Cooling rack (if you’re fancy, or just use the counter like me)

How to Make Candy Cane Cookies

Step 1: Prep Time

Before you jump in, it’s a good idea to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). No one likes waiting around when tasty treats are on the horizon! Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Trust me!

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Grab your mixing bowl and add the butter and granulated sugar. Mix until it’s fluffy and creamy. This step is basically the cookie version of warming up before a workout. A must-do!

Step 3: Add the Egg and Extracts

Next up, add in that egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix until just combined. Take a moment to inhale the glorious peppermint aroma—it’s like being punched in the face with holiday cheer. (In a good way, of course!)

Step 4: Dry Ingredients Unite!

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this mixture to your wet ingredients. Mix well, but don’t go all Hulk on it. We want soft, tender cookies, not dense hockey pucks!

Step 5: Split, Color, and Swirl

Divide your dough into two equal parts. Twist off a quarter from one of those halves and add a few drops of red food coloring. Knead it until the color is even. Now you have a classic white dough and a festive red dough! Fun times ahead!

Step 6: Roll ‘Em Up!

Roll small amounts of each dough into 6-inch ropes. Twist one red rope and one white rope together to create a pretty spiral. Shape it into a candy cane and place it on your baking sheet. Repeat until your baking sheet is filled with colorful candy canes.

Step 7: Bake, Baby, Bake!

Bake for 8-10 minutes, keeping an eye on them towards the end. You want them to look set but not browned. Once they are done, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few moments before transferring them to a cooling rack. An essential step that can be a tad hard to master, but hey, it’s called practice!

Step 8: Crush Those Candy Canes

While your cookies cool, crush those candy canes into smaller bits. Once your cookies are cool, sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top while they’re still slightly warm. It’s like a holiday confetti party!

Tips for the Perfect Candy Cane Cookies

Let’s not kid ourselves—sometimes things can go a little sideways. Here are some tips that I wish I’d known from the start:

Don’t skip the chilling: If your dough feels too soft to handle, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. A cooler dough means easier shaping!
Use fresh extracts: The flavor can make or break these cookies. Fresh peppermint extract is a game-changer!
Experiment with shapes: Not a fan of candy canes? Make circles or even little stars. Who’s to say? Get creative! 🎨

Enjoying Your Cookies

Now that you’ve whipped up these sugary delights, what’s next? Eat them, duh! But if you’re feeling generous (or want to avoid a one-person cookie binge), you can gift them to friends, neighbors, or anyone who looks like they could use a little sweetness in their life.

Also, if you’re thinking about how to enjoy them, why not throw a cookie decorating party? It’s a win-win: you get to eat cookies and hang out with friends! Just make sure to use more sprinkles than anyone thinks is reasonable. 😉

Final Thoughts

Making candy cane cookies is a holiday tradition that brings joy and sweetness into your life, both when baking and when devouring those festive morsels. With each swirl of red and white, you’ll feel all the holiday magic come alive in your kitchen.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients and let’s bake some joy! And remember, whatever holiday chaos that comes your way, you can always count on these cookies to brighten the mood. Now, go forth and conquer those cookie sheets, my friend! 🍪💖