Holiday Candy Cane Cookies
Delightful festive cookies that resemble candy canes, featuring buttery flavor with a hint of peppermint. Perfect for holiday gatherings and gift giving.
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 90kcal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour (Type 405)
- 125 g cold butter, cut into cubes
- 100 g sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional) For that classic flavor
- 1 drop Red food coloring (gel or paste for the best results) Use gel or paste for vibrant color
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for decoration)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar.
- Add the cold butter cubes and work them into the flour mixture using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until it looks crumbly.
- Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and if desired, the peppermint extract.
- Quickly knead the mixture into a smooth dough, being careful not to over-knead.
Coloring and Chilling the Dough
- Split the dough in half. Wrap one half in plastic wrap and set aside.
- Add red food coloring to the other half and knead until the color is vibrant and uniform.
- Wrap both halves of the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Shaping the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough half into long ropes about 30cm in length.
- From each color, take a small piece and roll it into thinner, approximately 15cm long strands.
- Place one red and one white strand side by side and gently twist them together to create the spiral effect of a candy cane.
- Bend the twisted roll into a candy cane shape, keeping the colors distinct.
- Roll the formed candy canes in granulated sugar and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Baking
- Refrigerate the decorated baking sheet for another 10-15 minutes.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are slightly golden.
Cooling
- Carefully transfer the cookies from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chill the dough properly for the best texture. Use quality food coloring for vibrant results. You can sprinkle crushed candy canes on top before baking for an extra festive touch.