Description
Delight in the festive spirit with Pioneer Woman Candy Cane Cookies! These whimsical and delicious cookies capture the essence of the holidays with their peppermint flavor and playful candy cane shape, making them perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying with a cozy cup of cocoa.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Red food coloring, as needed
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until dough forms.
- Divide and Color the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Leave one half plain and tint the other with red food coloring until the desired shade is achieved.
- Shape the Candy Cane Cookies: Roll small amounts of each color dough into 4-inch strips. Twist a strip of each color together and curve the top to form a candy cane shape. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, until they are just turning lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to maintain their shape.
- Add Peppermint Crunch: Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies for added crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Chill the Dough: For easier handling, chill the dough for about 30 minutes if it’s too sticky.
- Consistent Strips: Roll dough strips evenly for uniform baking.
- Flavor Variation: Swap peppermint flavor with cinnamon or vanilla if preferred.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10minutes