Get ready to transform your kitchen into a festive wonderland with these irresistible Twist Candy Cane Cookies that are guaranteed to become the star of your holiday dessert table! Imagine the delightful aroma of buttery, peppermint-infused cookies swirling through your home, creating memories that will last long after the last crumb has disappeared. These aren't just cookies - they're edible works of art that combine the classic charm of candy canes with a homemade touch that will have everyone begging for your secret recipe.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Red and green sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare your baking workspace by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the butter mixture. Beat until well combined and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. Leave one portion plain and add red food coloring to the other portion, mixing until the color is evenly distributed.
- Take small portions of red and plain dough, rolling each into thin ropes about 6 inches long.
- Twist the red and plain dough ropes together, gently pressing to create a candy cane-like spiral pattern.
- Carefully transfer the twisted cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Sprinkle red and green holiday sprinkles over the cookies before baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Enjoy your festive Twist Candy Cane Cookies!
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted for the perfect cookie texture.
- Color Technique: When adding food coloring, add gradually and mix thoroughly to achieve a vibrant, even color.
- Twisting Pro Tip: Keep your dough ropes chilled if they become too soft, which makes twisting easier.
- Sprinkle Strategy: Apply sprinkles immediately after removing from the oven for best adhesion.
- Storage Hack: Place a piece of bread in your airtight container to keep cookies soft and fresh.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
- Precision is Key: Use a ruler to ensure consistent rope lengths for uniform cookies.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
