It isn’t the holidays without eye-catching cookies that are sure to be the star of the cookie platter–like our Christmas candy cane cookies recipe! This minty cookie is not only delicious, but gorgeous to look at, and fun to make! Consisting of red and white sugar cookie dough, that gets twisted together and then formed in to the shape of a candy cane, this is one of my favorite cookie recipes to make with kids! There is just so much for little ones to assist with, from measuring to stirring, rolling, and shaping the cookies. It’s like playing with play dough!

Christmas Candy Cane Cookies

This post contains affiliate links. Hand selecting Santa’s cookies is a BIG deal in my house every year. Great care is taken to make sure that Santa gets the best of the best, and these candy cane cookies are one of the few everyone agrees on! They are so festive and tasty, and Santa hardly even leaves a crumb behind! *giggle*

This Candy Cane Cookies Recipe:

• Yields: 28-30
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Red paste food coloring 
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup milk, whole or 2%
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• A large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Step 1

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

Step 2

In a bowl of the stand mixer or large bowl, beat together sugar and butter until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Beat in milk and extracts until well combined.

Step 4

Add egg and beat well.

Step 5

Gradually add flour mixture until well blended.

Step 6

Divide dough in half. 

Step 7

Place half of dough in a separate bowl and color with food coloring. 

Step 8

Cover both with plastic wrap and place refrigerator to chill at least 4 hours. 

Step 9

Remove from refrigerator and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 10

Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mat. 

Step 11

For each candy cane, scoop 1 rounded tablespoon each color of dough and roll each into 6 inch rope.

Step 12

Place white rope next to red rope, pressing together slightly and lightly twist by holding each end and turning.

Step 13

Place on prepared cookie sheet and curve the top to form cane. 

Step 14

Bake 8-10 minutes or until cookies are set and light brown. 

Step 15

Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.

Step 16

Store in airtight container.

how to store candy cane cookies

After all that hard work, make sure you store your candy cane cookies in an airtight container so that they last longer! If stored at room temperature (in an airtight container) these cookies are good for up to a week, but if refrigerated, they are good for closer to 10 days.

Can You Freeze Candy CAne Cookies?

Yes! You can freeze candy can cookies for up to 3 months. The trick is making sure that the cookies are completely sealed in freezer bags!

are candy cane cookies gluten free?

These candy can cookies can easily be adapted to fit a gluten free diet, if you use gluten-free all purpose flour and gluten free baking powder. Be sure to check the labels of all ingredients to make sure you are safe!

Yield: 28-30 cookies

Christmas Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

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Santa will have a new favorite cookie this year! These easy Christmas Candy Cane cookies are sure to be a hit at all of your holiday gatherings!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup milk, whole or 2%
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Red paste food coloring

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
2. In a bowl of the stand mixer or large bowl, beat together sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in milk and extracts until well combined.
4. Add egg and beat well.
5. Gradually add flour mixture until well blended.
6. Divide dough in half.
7. Place half of dough in a separate bowl and color with food coloring.
8. Cover both with plastic wrap and place refrigerator to chill at least 4 hours.
9. Remove from refrigerator and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
10. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mat.
11. For each candy cane, scoop 1 rounded tablespoon each color of dough and roll each into 6 inch rope.
12. Place white rope next to red rope, pressing together slightly and lightly twist by holding each end and turning.
13. Place on prepared cookie sheet and curve the top to form cane.
14. Bake 8-10 minutes or until cookies are set and light brown.
15. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.
16. Store in airtight container. 

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What holiday gathering are you going to take a platter of Christmas candy cane cookies to this year?