Candy Cane Cookies

Candy Cane Cookies

Candy Cane Cookies are my favorite way to spread Christmas cheer! This nostalgic butter cookie has a rich almond flavor and is a Christmas staple in our house. It takes a little time and practice to get that perfect red and white swirl but I promise this eye catching cookie is worth the effort. Everyone loves making these and once you nail the technique there’s really nothing to it. This festive little cookie looks so cute hanging from a coffee mug, adds a whole lot of pretty to a cookie plate, and will steal the show at a cookie exchange or Christmas party. Bring a smile to someone’s face this holiday season with Candy Cane Cookies!

Here’s all you’ll need: shortening, butter, confectioners’ sugar, an egg, almond extract, vanilla extract, flour, salt, red food coloring, and sugar. Candy Cane Cookies list of ingredients #candycanecookies #christmascookies #howtomakecandycanecookies #bestchristmascookies #holidaybaking #holidayrecipes #christmasrecipes

Time to get baking! Add the shortening, butter and confectioners sugar to a large bowl. Mix with a hand mixer for 5-7 minutes or until the mixture is light and fluffy. Confectioners’ sugar keeps these cookies light and gives them that melt in your mouth feel.

Shortening, butter, and Confectioners' sugar are mixed together in a large bowl. #candycanecookies #cookierecipes #christmascookies #rolledcookies #holidaycookies

Next blend in the egg, salt, almond and vanilla extracts. Of course for those of you with nut allergies out there, skip the almond extract and replace it with equal amounts of vanilla. Gradually mix in the flour at a low speed until fully combined. An egg, salt, almond extract, vanilla extract and flour are added to the butter mixture with a hand mixer to form a dough. #candycanecookies #cookies #cookierecipes #bestcookierecipes #christmasrecipes #christmascookies #holidaycookies #holidayrecipes

Divide the dough in half. Add food coloring to one of the halves to tint the dough red. Wrap each portion of the cookie dough individually and refrigerate for 2 hours or until the dough is firm and easy to handle. All out of red food coloring? Green works well too and will keep it Christmas-y! Food coloring is added to half of the cookie dough to tint it red. #candycanecookies #christmascookieplate #christmascookieideas #christmascookierecipes #favoritechristmascookies #oldfashionedchristmascookies #nostalgicchristmascookies

Now for the fun part! Remove the cookie dough from the fridge. Grab about 1-2 teaspoons of plain cookie dough and 1-2 teaspoons of red cookie dough. Shape each into a 4-5 inch rope. Place the two ropes side by side. Lightly press the ropes together and twist to form a swirl. Curve the top of the cookie downwards to form the candy cane shape. Repeat until all the cookie dough is used.

So a few things to keep in mind; if the dough is too hard you can warm it in your hands to soften. If the dough is too soft toss it back in the fridge to harden. A quick and soft hand works best. And most importantly don’t overthink it. Recruit some little helpers because it’s just like playing with play-doh. Have fun with it!

Red and white dough are rolled into thin ropes and twisted together to form a candy cane shape. #candycanecookies #christmascookies #cookerecipes #christmascookierecipes #holidaybaking #christmasbakinggifts #christmascookieplatter #christmascookieexchange

Place the Candy Cane Cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be sure to keep the cookies placed about 2 inches apart. Parchment paper is such a great tool for baking and helps to reduce browning. I highly recommend in all of my cookie baking posts. Always have always will.

And here’s my best cookie baking tips for that picture perfect cookie every time. Use the top and middle racks in the oven, never the bottom. Always rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking which means about halfway through baking time swap positions. So the cookies that were baking on the top rack get bumped down to the middle rack and the cookies that were baking on the middle rack get moved up to the top. I also rotate the baking sheets so that the cookies that were in the front of the oven are now in the back and vice versa. This helps all the cookies to bake evenly and will yield the very best results. Every. Time.

Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven for 8-9 minutes or until set. Remove from the oven and while the cookies are still warm, immediately sprinkle them with sugar. Cool on wire racks. Candy Cane Cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet ready for the oven. #candycanecookies #classiccookies #classicchristmascookies #vintagechristmascookies #nostalgicchristmascookies

Serve with coffee, hot cocoa and of course your favorite Christmas movie and enjoy!! Don’t forget to try some of our most popular cookie recipes like Cappuccino Swirl Cookies and Mini Cinnamon Roll Cookies too. What are your favorite holiday cookies to bake? Candy Cane Cookies by Happylifeblogspot.com #candycane #candycanecookies #christmascookies #christmascookierecipes #cookieplaterecipes #howtomakecandycanecookies #buttercookies #holidayrecipes #holidaycookies #christmasrecipes #recipestomakewithkids #buttercookies #oldfashionedcookies

Candy Cane Cookies

December 8, 2020
: 3-4 dozen cookies (depending on size)
: Medium

By:

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' 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
  • 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
  • 1/2 cup sugar or edible glitter
Directions
  • Step 1 Add shortening, butter and confectioners sugar to a large bowl. Mix with a hand mixer for 5-7 minutes or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Step 2 Blend in the egg, salt, almond and vanilla extracts. Gradually mix in the flour at a low speed until fully combined.
  • Step 3 Divide the dough in half. Add food coloring to one of the halves to tint the dough red. Wrap each portion of the cookie dough individually and refrigerate for 2 hours or until the dough is firm and easy to handle.
  • Step 4 Remove the cookie dough from the fridge. Grab about 1-2 teaspoons of plain cookie dough and 1-2 teaspoons of red cookie dough. Shape each into a 4-5 inch rope. Place the two ropes side by side. Lightly press the ropes together and twist to form a swirl. Curve the top of the cookie downwards to form the candy cane shape. Repeat until all the cookie dough is used.
  • Step 5 Place the Candy Cane Cookies approximately 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven for 8-9 minutes or until set. Remove from the oven and while the cookies are still warm, immediately sprinkle them with sugar. Cool on wire racks. Enjoy!

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