Candy Cane Cookies

These cute candy cane cookies are made with red and white cookie dough twisted into a classic holiday shape, and baked for a fun festive treat.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 287 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• 0.5 cup butter
• 0.5 cup shortening
• 1.5 teaspoons almond extract
• 0.5 teaspoon red food coloring
• 2.5 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Step 2

Beat confectioners’ sugar, butter, and shortening in a large bowl until creamy. Beat in egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 3

Whisk flour and salt together in a separate bowl; gradually stir into the butter mixture until combined. Divide dough in half. Stir red food coloring into one half until evenly tinted.

Step 4

For each cookie, roll 1 teaspoon red dough and 1 teaspoon plain dough on a lightly floured surface into 4-inch strips. Place dough strips side by side, press lightly together, and twist to form a rope. Curve top of rope down to look like the handle of a candy cane. Place shaped cookie on an ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, forming one complete cookie at a time so the dough does not dry out.

Step 5

Bake cookies in the preheated oven until lightly golden, about 9 to 10 minutes.

Step 6

Remove cookies from the oven and sprinkle with a mixture of crushed peppermint candies and granulated sugar, if desired. Cool completely.