Candy Cane Cookies: A Delightful Holiday Treat
Baking during the holidays is a cherished tradition for many. With various flavors, colors, and shapes, cookies hold a special place in the hearts of countless families. Among the vast array of cookie recipes, Candy Cane Cookies stand out with their festive colors and delightful peppermint flavor. Imagine those perfectly twisted candy cane shapes bringing joy to your holiday gatherings. This is why many people enjoy making and sharing these cookies with friends and family during the Christmas season.
Why Make This Recipe
Candy Cane Cookies are not just adorable; they also capture the spirit of the holiday season. Their striking red and white colors remind us of traditional candy canes that hang on Christmas trees and adorn stockings. When you bake these cookies, you create an inviting aroma in your kitchen that instantly boosts the holiday spirit. Plus, these cookies are incredibly versatile. You can serve them at parties, wrap them as gifts, or enjoy them as a late-night treat with a warm mug of hot cocoa.
Making Candy Cane Cookies can also be a fun family activity. Children love the process of shaping the cookies, and adults will enjoy the nostalgia of hanging candy canes on trees or using them as festive decorations. The recipe is easy to follow, making it suitable for both novice and seasoned bakers. Baking together can strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.
How to Make Candy Cane Cookies
Creating your Candy Cane Cookies at home is easier than you might think. You simply need some basic ingredients and a little bit of time. The key elements of this delightful recipe include plenty of minty flavor and a touch of creativity in the shaping of the cookies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- Red food coloring (gel preferred)
Directions:
Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it heats up, take some time to line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer or a whisk to beat them together until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. This process introduces air into the dough, making your cookies softer.
Add the Wet Ingredients: Once the butter and sugar are fluffy, add the large room-temperature egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix until everything is smooth and well combined. The peppermint extract will give your cookies that classic candy cane flavor.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour and salt. This step is crucial as it ensures that the salt is evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Form the Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing slowly until you create a soft dough. Don’t overmix; just ensure that all ingredients are well combined.
Color the Dough: Now it’s time to make your cookies festive! Divide the dough into two equal halves. Add red food coloring to one half of the dough. Use a spoon or your hands to knead the color in until you achieve your desired shade of red.
Shape the Cookies: Take a small piece of both the red and white dough. Roll each piece into a 4-inch rope. Place the two ropes side by side and twist them together to form your candy cane shape. It might take a bit of practice, but it’ll be worth it!
Bake the Cookies: Place the formed cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake. You want them to be slightly soft in the center when you take them out.
Cool the Cookies: After baking, let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes. Then gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time prevents them from becoming soggy and allows them to set properly.
Store the Cookies: Once completely cooled, store your Candy Cane Cookies in an airtight container. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, though they are likely to disappear much sooner!
How to Serve Candy Cane Cookies
Candy Cane Cookies are best served with a side of festive cheer. You can plate them on a decorative dish and present them at holiday parties, or pack them in colorful bags as gifts. They are also delightful when enjoyed warm from the oven with a tall glass of milk or hot cocoa.
Consider pairing them with a few other festive treats on a dessert table, such as gingerbread men or snowflake cookies. The vibrant colors and minty flavors of Candy Cane Cookies will definitely stand out among the spread, making them a holiday favorite.
How to Store Candy Cane Cookies
Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and flavor of your cookies. When your Candy Cane Cookies are completely cool, store them in an airtight container. This will keep them soft and avoid any moisture that could lead to sogginess.
If you want to keep them for a longer time, consider freezing the cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature.
Tips to Make Candy Cane Cookies
Softened Butter Is Key: Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature. This will make it easier to cream with the powdered sugar, leading to a light and fluffy mixture.
Be Gentle with the Dough: When twisting the ropes together, be gentle. This keeps the colors from blending together too much and allows for a beautiful candy cane appearance.
Watch the Baking Time: Every oven is different. Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake, and remove them when they are slightly soft in the middle for the best texture.
Experiment with Flavors: While peppermint is traditional, you can experiment with other extracts like almond or orange to give the cookies a different twist!
Variations
If you want to mix things up, consider adding chocolate chips to the dough for a chocolate-peppermint version. Or, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate after they cool for a delicious chocolate coating. For a holiday flair, try sprinkling crushed candy canes over the cookies right when they come out of the oven, adding extra texture and flavor.
FAQs
What if I don’t have peppermint extract?
You can use crushed peppermint candies instead. Simply mix them into the cookie dough or sprinkle them on top before baking for a festive crunch.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to two days before baking. Just let it soften a bit at room temperature before shaping the cookies.
How can I make the colors brighter?
For more intense colors, use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring. Gel coloring is much more concentrated, which gives you bolder colors without adding excess liquid to the dough.
Baking Candy Cane Cookies is a joyful activity that brings the holiday spirit right into your home. With this easy recipe, you can create a batch of these delightful treats and share them with your loved ones, bringing a little bit of cheer to everyone’s day!
Candy Cane Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Add the large egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix until smooth.
- In another bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half and add red food coloring to one half, kneading until the color is mixed well.
- Roll small pieces of both red and white dough into 4-inch ropes and twist them together to form candy cane shapes.
- Place formed cookies on the baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.