Candy Cane Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that captures the essence of the season with their festive colors and minty flavor. These cookies not only look beautiful on any holiday dessert table, but they also bring a touch of nostalgia, reminding you of the joy and charm that comes with the festivities. With a perfect balance of sweetness and peppermint, these cookies are sure to impress your family and friends.
Why We Love This Candy Cane Cookies Recipe
The charm of Candy Cane Cookies lies in their unique, eye-catching appearance and fabulous flavor. Each bite offers a lovely crunch with a soft center, making them a wonderful addition to holiday gatherings. The blend of vanilla and peppermint extracts transforms a simple cookie into something truly special, creating a festive atmosphere wherever they are served. Plus, the process of rolling and twisting the dough into candy cane shapes is fun for all ages, making it an excellent activity to involve your children or friends in the kitchen. These cookies evoke warm memories of the holidays, making them not just a treat but also a tradition.
Ingredients about Candy Cane Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Red and green sugar or icing for decoration
How to Make Candy Cane Cookies Directions
To kick off your holiday baking, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). As the oven warms up, you can start preparing your dough. In a large mixing bowl, take your softened unsalted butter and cream it together with the powdered sugar. Use a handheld mixer or a whisk, and beat it until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes. Then, add in your egg and vanilla extract, beating again until everything is well combined.
While the wet ingredients are coming together beautifully, take another bowl to whisk together your dry ingredients. Combine the all-purpose flour, peppermint extract, baking powder, and salt, ensuring there are no lumps. Gradually introduce this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring until you have a cohesive dough. Don’t rush this step; take your time to blend it well.
Now comes the fun part! Divide the dough in half and take one half to tint with red food coloring. Knead the dough gently until that lovely red color is evenly mixed throughout. Next, it’s time to shape your cookies. Roll small pieces from each colored dough into ropes. Start with one red and one white (untinted) rope, then twist them together gently to form the shape of a candy cane.
Place your newly shaped cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. They don’t need to be spaced too far apart since they won’t spread much. Slide your baking sheet into the oven and bake for 9 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for that light golden color on the edges. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool before decorating.
Once the cookies have cooled, you can unleash your creativity! Sprinkle red and green sugar or use icing to decorate them as you desire. This is your chance to personalize each candy cane to reflect your holiday spirit.
How to Serve Candy Cane Cookies
Candy Cane Cookies make a delightful addition to your holiday cookie trays, bringing vibrant color to your presentations. You can serve them alongside a steaming cup of hot chocolate or tea, making for an inviting snack that brings warmth to chilly days. For gatherings, consider placing them in a decorative jar or tin, adorned with festive ribbons, which can serve as a charming gift for friends, neighbors, or family. Their visually striking appearance and refreshing flavor will surely impress your guests, making your holiday parties even more memorable.
Expert Tips: Candy Cane Cookies
To ensure your Candy Cane Cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are some expert tips you can follow. First, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature, as this creates a smoother dough. If you want a stronger peppermint flavor, feel free to add a little more peppermint extract, but do so cautiously to avoid overpowering the vanilla notes. Also, when you tint your dough, go slowly with the food coloring to avoid an overly bright red shade; you want the colors to be festive yet soft.
Another tip is to chill your dough if it feels too soft while shaping; this will make it easier to handle. If you’re baking in a warm kitchen, consider placing the dough in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. Lastly, watch your cookies closely while baking. Every oven is slightly different, so your cookies could be done a minute or two earlier or later than expected.
How to Store Candy Cane Cookies
Storing your Candy Cane Cookies is simple. Once they are fully cooled, place them in an airtight container. If you layer them, use parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Your cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing the unbaked dough. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag; it can last up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, take it out, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, and shape as usual.
Variation of Candy Cane Cookies
While traditional Candy Cane Cookies are delectable as is, experimenting with different flavors can elevate them even further. For a twist, you might want to try adding crushed peppermint candies into the dough for an extra crunch and burst of flavor. Alternatively, why not switch up the extracts? Instead of using peppermint, opt for almond extract for a different nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of these cookies. For chocolate lovers, you can substitute a portion of the flour with cocoa powder to create a chocolaty version of these cookies, perfect for the festive season!
FAQ
What are Candy Cane Cookies?
Candy Cane Cookies are festive holiday treats made from a buttery dough flavored with vanilla and peppermint, shaped into colorful candy cane designs, and often decorated with festive sprinkles or icing.
How long do Candy Cane Cookies last?
When stored in an airtight container, Candy Cane Cookies can last up to a week at room temperature. They can be frozen for longer preservation, ensuring you have treats ready for the holiday season.
Can I make Candy Cane Cookies in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time, shape the cookies, and freeze them. When you’re ready, simply bake as directed, ensuring you enjoy fresh cookies whenever the craving strikes.
Can I use other colors for Candy Cane Cookies?
Absolutely! You can customize your candy canes with any color food coloring to match your holiday theme or personal preference, making them as vibrant or pastel as you desire.
What is the secret to soft Candy Cane Cookies?
To achieve a soft texture, ensure you do not overbake the cookies. They should be set around the edges and lightly golden, allowing for a delightful chewy center after cooling.
Candy Cane Cookies
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened At room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract Adjust for stronger flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Decoration
- as needed Red and green sugar or icing For decorating cookies
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 to 5 minutes).
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, peppermint extract, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough forms.
Shaping Cookies
- Divide the dough in half; tint one half with red food coloring, kneading until evenly mixed.
- Roll small pieces of the colored and uncolored dough into ropes, then twist them together to form candy cane shapes.
- Place shaped cookies on a lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
Baking
- Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and cool before decorating.
Decorating
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with red and green sugar or icing as desired.
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