Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies – A Festive Holiday Favorite

These Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies are one of my favorite holiday treats to make—and one of the most requested! They're soft, buttery sugar cookies flavored with peppermint extract, twisted into cute edible candy canes, and dipped in crushed peppermint for that perfect festive crunch. The best part? They look beautifully complicated but are shockingly easy to make.

Every December, customers start asking weeks ahead if these will be available again. They're great for Christmas parties, gift boxes, classroom treats, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying at home with hot chocolate. These cookies bring the holiday spirit instantly—every bite tastes like Christmas morning.

What makes these cookies extra special is the simple but eye-catching design. By coloring half the dough red and keeping half natural, then rolling and twisting them together, you get a stunning candy cane swirl with very little effort. Kids love helping twist the dough, and adults love how nostalgic and cheerful they look.

If you're looking for a holiday cookie that's both impressive and beginner-friendly, this is the recipe you'll come back to year after year. They're soft—not crunchy—so they stay delicious for days and pack beautifully for shipping or gifting. Plus, the peppermint aroma while they bake is absolutely magical.

Why You'll Love These Cookies

• Soft, buttery, and perfectly peppermint-flavored
• Festive colors with a beautiful twisted shape
• Fun for kids to help make
• Great for gifts, parties, events, and cookie boxes
• Simple ingredients and no special tools required

Peppermint Candy Cane Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Red gel food coloring
• Optional: crushed peppermint pieces for dipping

Instructions

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Mix until combined.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Leave one part plain and color the other red.
6. Roll each color into thin ropes. Twist one red rope and one white rope together, then bend the top to form a candy cane shape.
7. Place on a baking sheet and chill 10–15 minutes to help hold their shape.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes or until set but not browned.
9. Dip the tops into melted white chocolate and crushed peppermint, if desired.

Tips for Perfect Candy Cane Cookies

• Use gel food coloring so the dough doesn't get sticky.
• Chill before baking so the canes keep their shape.
• Don't overbake—they should stay soft, not crispy.
• Make them ahead—they stay fresh up to one week in an airtight container.

These Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies are a holiday must-have—simple, delicious, and picture-perfect. Whether you're baking them for a family tradition, a Christmas party, or to add flair to your holiday dessert boxes, they always bring smiles. Enjoy your baking and happy holidays!

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