There is something truly magical about Festive Candy Cane Cookies: Irresistibly Tender, Perfect Stripes Recipe. These delightful cookies combine a tender buttery base with the refreshing hint of peppermint and eye-catching red and white stripes that capture the spirit of the season. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or simply craving a sweet treat that looks as festive as it tastes, these cookies promise a charming and delicious experience every time. Each bite melts in your mouth, perfectly balancing softness with just the right hint of crispness along the edges.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the cornerstone of baking any great cookie, and this recipe is no exception. Each element plays a crucial role, from the creamy butter that ensures tenderness to the peppermint extract that brings holiday cheer to every bite.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Creates a rich, tender texture without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Helps achieve that soft, melt-in-your-mouth crumb rather than a gritty sweetness.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough together and adds moisture for softness.
- Vanilla extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): Enhances the overall flavor profile by adding warmth and depth.
- Peppermint extract (1/2 teaspoon): Delivers that unmistakable candy cane freshness without overwhelming the palate.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): Forms the base of the dough, providing structure and body.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Red food coloring: Brings the festive red stripes alive, making these cookies a joy to look at.
- Granulated sugar for sprinkling (optional): Adds a slight crunch and sparkle, perfect for that final holiday touch.
How to Make Festive Candy Cane Cookies: Irresistibly Tender, Perfect Stripes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This setup ensures your cookies bake evenly, and the parchment prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is essential for that dreamy, tender texture our Festive Candy Cane Cookies: Irresistibly Tender, Perfect Stripes Recipe is known for, as the air incorporated during creaming helps give the cookies a lightness you’ll love.
Step 3: Add the Flavors
Beat in the egg, followed by the vanilla and peppermint extracts. The peppermint extract is what gives these cookies their signature personality, so be sure to measure carefully for a perfectly balanced flavor that’s festive without being overpowering.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour and salt into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. This step requires gentle mixing to avoid toughening the dough. Once combined, your cookie dough base is ready for its signature color twist!
Step 5: Color and Shape the Dough
Divide the dough evenly in half. Leave one half plain and tint the other with red food coloring until it’s evenly colored. To shape, pinch off about one teaspoon from each color and roll into 4-inch ropes. Twist one red and one white rope together, then gently curve the top to create that classic candy cane shape. This part is not only satisfying but brings the festive spirit straight to your fingertips.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Place the twisted candy cane cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If you like a little sparkle, sprinkle a touch of granulated sugar on top before baking. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cookies just set and the bottoms are lightly golden. Let them cool on the sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely—this helps them firm up perfectly without losing their tender quality.
How to Serve Festive Candy Cane Cookies: Irresistibly Tender, Perfect Stripes Recipe
Garnishes
While the cookies themselves are stunning, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can add extra charm and an elegant sweetness that pairs well with the peppermint flavors. Mini crushed candy canes sprinkled on top can add a delightful crunch and festive touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with warm beverages like hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or a cozy cup of coffee. Their tender texture and refreshing peppermint notes make them ideal companions for any indulgent holiday drink, creating a festive flavor experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few candy cane cookies tied with a red and white ribbon for a charming gift or arranging them on a holiday platter alongside other colorful treats. You can also wrap them individually in cellophane bags with festive tags to spread joy with homemade holiday gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Festive Candy Cane Cookies: Irresistibly Tender, Perfect Stripes Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Layer them with parchment paper to keep the delicate shapes intact and prevent sticking.
Freezing
These cookies freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for holiday prep ahead of time. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a resealable bag or airtight container. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months without losing their tender texture or festive appeal.
Reheating
For that freshly baked feel, warm the cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This gentle heat refreshes their softness and revives the peppermint aroma, making each bite as delightful as the first.
FAQs
Can I use different food coloring for the stripes?
Absolutely! While red is traditional for candy canes, feel free to experiment with green or even pastel colors to match your holiday decor or personal preference.
What if I don’t have peppermint extract?
You can substitute with a similar amount of vanilla extract, but the signature peppermint flavor will be missing. Alternatively, a small amount of crushed peppermint candies mixed into the dough can add a fun twist.
Why do my cookies spread too much when baking?
Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar. Additionally, chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes before shaping helps maintain the candy cane shapes during baking.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance, tightly wrapped and chilled in the refrigerator. This actually helps the dough firm up and makes shaping those perfect stripes easier.
How do I prevent the colors from mixing during shaping?
Handle the dough gently and avoid pressing too hard when twisting. Rolling each color rope separately to a consistent thickness before twisting helps keep the stripes clear and defined.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend enough trying the Festive Candy Cane Cookies: Irresistibly Tender, Perfect Stripes Recipe this holiday season. They are as joyful to make as they are to eat, adding a classic touch of festive charm to your cookie table. Whether you’re gifting them, serving at a party, or savoring a quiet moment with a cup of cocoa, these cookies bring warmth, sweetness, and the unmistakable spirit of the holidays to your kitchen.
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Festive Candy Cane Cookies: Irresistibly Tender, Perfect Stripes Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Festive Candy Cane Cookies are irresistibly tender and feature perfect red and white stripes that capture the holiday spirit. Flavored with peppermint and vanilla, these soft sugar cookies are shaped into charming candy cane forms, making them ideal for Christmas gift trays and festive celebrations.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients
- Red food coloring
- Granulated sugar for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring a light texture in your cookies.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract thoroughly until well combined to infuse flavor into the dough.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the flour and salt into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms with no dry patches.
- Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough into two equal halves. Leave one half plain, and mix red food coloring into the other half until it is evenly tinted a vibrant red.
- Shape Candy Canes: Pinch off about 1 teaspoon from each dough color and roll each into a 4-inch long rope. Twist one red and one white rope together, then gently curve the top to mimic a candy cane shape.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading. Optionally, sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar for extra sparkle and sweetness.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until they’re just set and the bottoms turn a very light golden color.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their tender texture.
Notes
- If the dough is too soft to handle, chill it for 20–30 minutes to make shaping easier.
- Be gentle while twisting and curving the dough to avoid breaking your candy cane shapes.
- These cookies freeze well, making them perfect for preparing ahead for holiday gift trays.
