Candy Cane Twist Cookies

These cookies look like little candy canes. So cute and festive! And yep, they taste as good as they look.

They’ve got that soft sugar cookie vibe with just a hint of peppermint. I made them for a holiday party, and everyone grabbed one. Or three.

Wanna bake something fun and merry? These Candy Cane Twist Cookies are a holiday must. Let’s make a batch together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for the Holidays: With their cheerful red and white swirls, these cookies add a festive touch to any holiday table. The peppermint flavor is a signature holiday taste, making them ideal for seasonal celebrations.
• Easy to Make: Though they look intricate, these cookies are surprisingly simple to prepare. The dough comes together quickly and requires just a few ingredients.
• Fun to Decorate: The twist design is a fun technique to try and will impress anyone who sees your cookies. It’s a great way to get creative with the kids or get into the holiday spirit.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days, so you can bake the cookies when it’s convenient.
• Customizable: You can adjust the level of peppermint flavor, or even dip the cookies in melted chocolate for an extra decadent touch.

Required Kitchen Tools

To make these Candy Cane Twist Cookies, you’ll need just a few simple kitchen tools:

• Mixing Bowls: For combining dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.
• Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: To cream the butter and sugars for a smooth, fluffy dough.
• Cookie Sheet: For baking the cookies.
• Parchment Paper: To line the cookie sheets for easy cleanup.
• Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough into thin sheets.
• Sharp Knife or Pizza Cutter: To cut the dough into strips for twisting.
• Cookie Cutter (optional): For cutting cookies into festive shapes, though the twists are the highlight!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature): Softened butter gives the cookies their tender texture and rich flavor.
• ½ cup granulated sugar: This provides sweetness and helps the dough come together.
• ¼ cup powdered sugar: This adds a smooth texture and helps the cookies melt in your mouth.
• 1 large egg (use only egg white for white dough): The egg white will help to create a lighter dough for the white part of the twist.
• 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint emulsion or extract: The key ingredient to giving these cookies their signature minty flavor.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances the flavor and rounds out the peppermint.
• Red food coloring (for red dough): To create the classic candy cane look, red dough is essential.
• Liquid whitener (for white dough): This will give the white dough a brighter, more appealing color.
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base of the dough, providing structure.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch: This ingredient helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture for these cookies.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s break down how to make these Candy Cane Twist Cookies from start to finish:

1. Prepare the Dough

Start by combining the wet ingredients in two separate bowls: one for the white dough and one for the red dough.

For the White Dough:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and powdered sugar using a hand or stand mixer. Beat until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg white (only) and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
3. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and cornstarch, stirring until the dough forms a soft ball.
4. Add the liquid whitener and mix until you have a smooth white dough. Set this dough aside.

For the Red Dough:

1. In a separate bowl, repeat the same process, creaming the butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until fluffy.
2. Add the egg white and peppermint extract, then mix to combine.
3. Gradually add the flour and cornstarch, mixing until the dough forms a soft ball.
4. Add the red food coloring and mix until the dough is a vibrant red color. You can add more food coloring to get the desired shade.

2. Chill the Dough

To make the dough easier to handle, wrap both portions in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours). This will help the dough firm up and prevent it from being too sticky when you’re twisting the two colors together.

3. Form the Candy Cane Twists

Once the dough has chilled and is ready to go, it’s time to shape the cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Take equal-sized portions of the red and white dough and roll each portion into a log that’s about 8-10 inches long.
3. Place the red and white dough logs side by side and gently press them together. Twist them together to form a spiral. This will give you the candy cane shape.
4. Carefully bend the twisted dough into a classic candy cane shape by curving one end into a hook.
5. Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

4. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look a little soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variations for Candy Cane Twist Cookies

While the classic red-and-white twist is beautiful on its own, you can play around with some variations to suit your taste and creativity:

• Add Chocolate Dips: After baking, dip the ends of the cookies in melted chocolate (either dark, milk, or white chocolate) for an extra layer of flavor. Then, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for even more minty goodness.
• Try Different Colors: While red and white are iconic, you can try other color combinations such as green and white or pink and white for a fun twist.
• Add Sprinkles: If you want a little extra crunch or sparkle, sprinkle some coarse sugar or holiday-themed sprinkles on top before baking.
• Use Other Extracts: If you’re not a fan of peppermint, try using almond extract or orange extract for a different flavor profile.
• Make Them Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version of these cookies.

How to Serve Candy Cane Twist Cookies

These Candy Cane Twist Cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or just enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa. Here are some ideas for serving:

• Holiday Cookie Platter: Arrange these festive cookies on a holiday-themed platter along with other Christmas treats like gingerbread cookies or sugar cookies.
• Gift Them: Package the cookies in a decorative tin or box as a homemade gift for teachers, neighbors, or friends.
• Serve with Hot Cocoa: These cookies are the perfect pairing for a cozy cup of hot chocolate. Add whipped cream or marshmallows for an extra touch.
• Enjoy with Ice Cream: For a special dessert, crumble these cookies on top of vanilla or peppermint ice cream for a festive sundae.

Storing Candy Cane Twist Cookies

If you have any leftover cookies (though I doubt you will!), here’s how to store them:

• Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This will keep them fresh and prevent them from becoming too hard.
• Freezing: You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. Just place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag and thaw them at room temperature when ready to eat.

Nutrition with Table Format

Nutrient	Per Cookie (Approx.)
Calories	120
Total Fat	6g
Saturated Fat	3g
Cholesterol	15mg
Sodium	25mg
Total Carbohydrates	17g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Sugars	9g
Protein	1g

Note: Nutrition information is approximate and may vary based on ingredients used and portion sizes.

Conclusion

Candy Cane Twist Cookies are a beautiful, festive, and delicious treat that’s perfect for the holidays. The combination of buttery dough with peppermint flavor creates a nostalgic taste that’s both sweet and refreshing. With their fun twist design and cheerful colors, these cookies will surely brighten up any holiday gathering. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow, and the results are always impressive.

Give these cookies a try and share them with your loved ones – they’re guaranteed to spread holiday cheer and make your celebrations even more special!