Christmas Candy Cane Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch

Makes

4 dozen

Updated: Nov. 02, 2023
These cookies were a holiday tradition in my family since I was a young child. Now my own family requests them before any others at Christmas. —Pat Schmeling, Germantown, Wisconsin
Christmas Candy Cane Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
  • 1/2 cup peppermint candy, crushed
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Divide dough in half; mix the food coloring into 1 portion. Cover and refrigerate both doughs for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
  2. Shape 1 teaspoon plain dough into a 4-in. rope. Shape 1 teaspoon red dough into a 4-in. rope. Place ropes side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane. Repeat with remaining plain and red dough, placing cookies 2 in. apart on baking sheets.
  3. Bake at 375° for 8-9 minutes or until set. Combine the crushed candy and sugar; sprinkle warm cookies with candy mixture. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Test Kitchen tip: If you prefer smaller Christmas cookies, use 1/2 tsp. each of white and red dough to make these candy canes, and roll the ropes to 2 in. long. Reduce the baking time to 6-8 minutes. Finely crushed peppermint candy adheres well to the warm cookies.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 86 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.