Magic of Candy Cane Cookies

Magic of Candy Cane Cookies

A swirl of red and white dough kissed with peppermint, Magic of Candy Cane Cookies bring the cozy sweetness of the holidays to life. These soft, buttery cookies look like they came straight out of a Christmas storybook and taste just as nostalgic.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Red gel food coloring

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough Base

Beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix until just combined. In another bowl, whisk the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half.

Step 2: Color and Chill the Dough

Leave one half of the dough plain for the white portion. Add red gel food coloring to the other half and mix until evenly tinted. Wrap each dough separately and chill for at least one hour.

Step 3: Shape the Candy Canes

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll a teaspoon of red dough and a teaspoon of white dough into ropes about 10 to 12 centimeters long. Twist the ropes together, then curve the top to form the classic candy cane shape. Place each on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until set but not browned. Cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack.

Pro Tips

• Use gel food coloring for richer color and better dough consistency.
• Chill the dough between shaping batches to maintain clean twists.
• Roll the ropes gently to keep them round and even.
• Use equal amounts of red and white dough for the best shape.
• Use a silicone mat to reduce browning on the bottom.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Magic of Candy Cane Cookies are perfect on any holiday dessert board. Pair them with hot cocoa, peppermint mocha, eggnog, or warm chai. They also make beautiful cookie exchange gifts. Tie two cookies together with ribbon for a festive stocking stuffer. Serve them beside shortbread, chocolate crinkle cookies, or gingerbread for a bright pop of color.

Nutrition Table

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 cookie	110	1g	14g	5g	0g	7g

Disclaimer: Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on brands used and ingredient accuracy. Consult a nutrition professional for precise information.

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