Christmas Candy Cane Cookies are a festive and fun treat that bring the holiday spirit to your dessert table. These delightful cookies are shaped like candy canes, with a swirl of red and white dough that makes them as beautiful as they are delicious. Infused with a hint of peppermint, these cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family or adding to your holiday cookie platter. The combination of buttery sweetness and peppermint flavor, along with their charming appearance, makes these cookies a must-bake during the Christmas season.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Red food coloring
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
- Additional powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Divide and Color the Dough:
- Divide the dough in half. Leave one half plain and set aside.
- To the other half, add a few drops of red food coloring and the peppermint extract (if using). Mix until the color is evenly distributed.
- Shape the Candy Canes:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Take a small amount of the plain dough and roll it into a 4-inch rope. Repeat with the red dough.
- Place the two ropes side by side and gently twist them together. Carefully curve the top to form the shape of a candy cane.
- Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Finishing Touch:
- Once the cookies are cooled, you can dust them lightly with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch.
Enjoy your Christmas Candy Cane Cookies, a perfect holiday treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat!
