Add a festive touch to your holiday baking with these Candy Cane Sugar Cookies!
With their vibrant red, green, and classic white swirls, these buttery cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Whether you're baking with family or whipping up a batch to share, these whimsical treats are sure to spread cheer with every bite!
Let me show you another Christmas Cookie Recipe you need to bake this holiday season.
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Our Christmas cookie celebration continues with Candy Cane Sugar Cookies. These cookies always look great on a cookie tray around the holidays.
If you host a cookie exchange, give cookies as gifts or just bake for your own family, this is a fun sugar cookie everyone will love.
This recipe for Candy Cane Sugar Cookies makes three different color combinations. One set is in the traditional red and white, one is red and green and another is green and white candy canes.
Table of Contents
Why you'll LOVE this recipe:
Festive – The red, green, and white stripes give these cookies a cheerful holiday look.
Delicious Flavor – Buttery, soft, and lightly sweet with hints of vanilla and almond.
Perfect for the Holidays – Great for cookie exchanges, dessert platters, and homemade gifts.
Easy to Make – Simple steps make it fun for all skill levels, including kids.
Beautiful – The candy cane twist adds a unique and eye-catching touch.
Nostalgic Charm – Brings back classic holiday memories with every bite.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Ingredients
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Almond Extract: If you're not a fan of almond flavor or have allergies, replace the almond extract with additional vanilla extract or peppermint extract for a festive touch.
- Food Coloring: Try blue and white for a wintery, icy effect. For a fun and whimsical approach, mix pink and white for a playful pastel candy cane.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and shortening, then mix in confectioners' sugar, egg, and extracts. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt, then blend into the butter mixture on low speed until combined. Divide the dough into three portions, coloring one red, one green, and leaving one plain. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
How to Form the Candy Cane Shape
Step 2: Pinch off a rounded teaspoon of two different colored doughs and roll each into 4-inch ropes on a floured surface. Place them side by side, pinch the tops together, twist, and shape into a hook. Arrange on parchment-lined baking trays and repeat, alternating colors, until the tray is filled with candy cane sugar cookies.
Step 3: Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes or until golden, being careful not to overbake to avoid dryness. The cookies will be delicate, so handle them gently when transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Storage Tips
Room Temperature: Make sure that the cookies are completely cool. Then, place them in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. You can also layer the cookies between sheets of wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. Cookies stored properly will remain fresh up to 12 days.
Freezer: If you want to store them for longer periods of time, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to three months. Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
You can keep cookies fresh by storing them in a cool, dry place. I like to store cookies in plastic containers on a shelf in my pantry closet.
Lay the baked cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Place the tray in the freezer to flash freeze the cookies for about 30 minutes. Then place the cookies in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags.
More Recipes to Love
These cookie recipes will be great for hosting a cookie exchange, give away cookies as gifts or just bake for your own family,
- Mexican Wedding Cookies from Flour on My Face
- Snickerdoodles from Glenda Embree
- Christmas Ugly Sweater Cookies from Fat Dad Foodie
- Chocolate Marshmallow Peppermint Cookies
- Shortbread Cookies - my favorite cookies all year long!
📖 Recipe Card
Candy Cane Sugar Cookies Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- ½ cup softened butter at room temperature
- ½ cup Shortening
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ tsp. almond extract
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. salt
- red and green food coloring
Method
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and shortening. Then add the confectioners sugar, egg, and extracts.
- Combine the flour and salt together in a separate bowl and then add it to the butter mixture. Blend on low speed until incorporated.
- Divide the dough into 3 sections and add to 3 separate bowls.
- Mix red food coloring into one, green into another, and leave one plain. Wrap dough separately in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least an hour.
- How to Form the Candy Cane Shapes
- Pull off a rounded teaspoon of two different colored doughs. Roll them into long ropes about 4 inches long on top of a floured surface.
- Next, place the two ropes side by side and pinch them together at the top. Then twist the two colored doughs together and gently bend the top into a hook.
- Place directly on cookie sheets that have been lined with Parchment Baking Sheets.
- Finish making the candy canes alternating the colors till you have a baking sheet full of candy cane sugar cookies.
- Bake in a preheated 375° for 10 minutes or until they are golden. You don't want to over bake the cookies as they will be dry.
Michele Michael says
Thx for posting at Funtastic Friday link party. These must look so sweet on a Christmas table. Pinned to my cookie board.
Audrey Stewart says
This will be my first year of making and twisting candy cane cookies. Once school is out for the holidays, the kids want to bake cookies.
Glenda says
Theses are seriously so fun! Such a great idea and I can't wait to make some for my grandkids! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Lois says
Thank you for visiting!