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Candy Cane Cookies Recipe: Easy Homemade Holiday Treats for Parties

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Festive candy cane cookies with buttery vanilla and peppermint flavor, twisted into whimsical red and white stripes. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and gifting, these cookies are easy to make and guaranteed to bring holiday cheer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Coarse sparkling sugar or granulated sugar for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  2. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until fully combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  4. Divide the dough evenly into two bowls. Add red gel food coloring to one bowl and knead until evenly colored. Leave the other half plain.
  5. Wrap both dough portions in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Pinch off walnut-sized pieces (about 2 teaspoons) of each color. Roll each into a 4-inch rope. Twist one red and one white rope together, then curve the top to form a candy cane shape. Place on baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between cookies.
  8. Sprinkle cookies lightly with coarse sugar if desired.
  9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are just turning golden. If cookies spread too much, chill shaped cookies on the tray for 10 extra minutes before baking.
  10. Let cookies cool on the tray for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Chilling the dough is crucial for vibrant colors and easy shaping. Use gel food coloring for best results. For gluten-free or vegan adaptations, substitute flour and egg as needed. Shape ropes gently to avoid cracking, and bake cookies in batches for even results.

Nutrition

Keywords: candy cane cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, peppermint cookies, festive dessert, easy cookie recipe, party treats, kid-friendly cookies

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/candy-cane-cookies-recipe-easy-homemade-holiday-treats-for-parties/