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Magic of Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 87 reviews

These festive Candy Cane Cookies combine the classic sweetness of sugar cookies with refreshing peppermint flavor and a vibrant red-and-white swirl, shaped perfectly like candy canes. Ideal for holiday celebrations, they are soft, buttery, and imbued with a delightful hint of mint, making them a fun and tasty seasonal treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 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 gel food coloring

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Butter and Sugar: Beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together in a mixing bowl until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring a light texture for the cookies.
  2. Add Flavorings and Egg: Mix in the large egg at room temperature, then add vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Stir to evenly combine all the wet ingredients.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to distribute the salt evenly in the flour.
  4. Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing carefully until a consistent dough forms without overmixing.
  5. Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Add red gel food coloring to one half and knead gently until the color is thoroughly incorporated.
  6. Chill Dough: Wrap each half of the dough separately in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up and make them easier to handle.
  7. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to get it ready for baking.
  8. Shape the Candy Canes: Roll equal sized pieces of both the red and white dough into ropes. Twist the ropes together gently, then shape them into classic candy cane shapes and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  9. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are set and the cookies are firm but not browned.
  10. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking trays before serving to let them set properly and maintain their shape.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring to achieve vibrant colors without altering dough consistency.
  • Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading and makes shaping easier.
  • Do not overbake to keep cookies soft and tender.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • For enhanced peppermint flavor, add crushed candy canes to the dough or as decoration after baking.

Keywords: Candy Cane Cookies, Peppermint Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Christmas Cookies, Sugar Cookies

Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/magic-of-candy-cane-cookies-recipe-2/