Candy Cane Cookies or Cutouts

Bring festive cheer to your holiday baking with these delightful Candy Cane Cookies or Cutouts! Featuring a buttery, soft dough infused with vanilla and peppermint extracts, this recipe offers versatile options for shaping either classic candy cane twists or whimsical cutouts using cookie cutters. The two-toned dough, colored with vibrant red food coloring, creates stunning visual appeal, while optional crushed peppermint candy adds a sweet, minty crunch. Perfectly golden in just 9-11 minutes, these cookies make an ideal treat for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or an afternoon snack with a mug of hot cocoa. Simple to prepare and brimming with holiday spirit, these cookies will quickly become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 38/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Peppermint extract
• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 10 drops Red food coloring
• 0.25 cup Optional: crushed peppermint candy

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 2

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the bowl. Beat until fully incorporated.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 4

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing in small portions until a soft dough forms.

Step 5

Divide the dough in half. Leave one half plain, and color the other half with the red food coloring by kneading the drops into the dough until evenly red.

Step 6

Wrap each dough half in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes for easier handling.

Step 7

For candy cane shapes: Roll small portions of each dough into long, thin ropes about 4 inches long. Twist one plain rope with one red rope and curve the top to form a candy cane shape. Repeat with remaining dough.

Step 8

For cookie cutouts: Roll out both doughs separately to about 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes, or layer the red dough over the plain for marbled patterns.

Step 9

Place the shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

Step 10

Optionally sprinkle crushed peppermint candy over the cookies for an extra festive touch.

Step 11

Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 13

Serve and enjoy your festive candy cane cookies or delightful cutouts!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(863.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3907.5

Total Fat 202.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 123.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 712.7mg	0%
Sodium 1181.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 494.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.2g	0%
Total Sugars 259.2g
Protein 38.9g	0%

Vitamin D 48IU	0%
Calcium 115.3mg	0%
Iron 14.9mg	0%
Potassium 449.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.0%

Protein: 3.9%

Carbs: 50.0%