Description
Festively colored and flavorful, these cookie delights are perfect for the holiday season and make great gifts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- Red food coloring (gel preferred)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add in the room temperature egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix everything until smooth.
- Gradually blend in the all-purpose flour and salt into the wet mixture. The dough should feel soft but not sticky.
- Split the dough into two equal parts. Color one half with red food coloring, mixing until you achieve a vibrant red shade.
- Roll about 1 teaspoon of each color into 4-inch ropes. Twist the red and white ropes together and bend them to form a candy cane shape.
- Place your shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For a stronger peppermint flavor, you can slightly increase the amount of peppermint extract. Consider using gel food coloring for brighter hues without changing the dough’s texture. Chilling the dough is optional but can help with handling if it feels too soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American