Description
Festive, buttery, and infused with peppermint joy, these Candy Cane Cookies are a fun and easy holiday recipe perfect for cookie swaps, gifting, or cozy December evenings. With a soft sugar cookie base, a peppermint kick, and candy cane crunch, they are a must-add to your holiday baking list. Great for quick holiday treats, dessert ideas, and festive snack inspiration. This easy recipe is also a hit for anyone searching for creative Christmas cookie or dessert ideas.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
2–3 drops red food coloring
½ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
1. Cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients.
4. Roll dough into ropes and shape into rings or wreaths. Place on lined baking sheet.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
6. Cool completely.
7. Mix powdered sugar with milk to make a drizzle icing.
8. Divide icing and tint half with red food coloring.
9. Drizzle cookies with red and white icing.
10. Immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes over top.
Notes
Let cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
Crush candy canes just before use to keep them from clumping.
Store in a single layer or with parchment between to preserve icing detail.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Candy Cane Cookies, holiday cookies, peppermint cookies, Christmas dessert, festive baking