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5.0 from 21 votes

Candy Cane Cookies

These fun candy cane cookies are made of sugar cookie dough wrapped together like a candy cane then sprinkled with sugar! They’re fun to make, fun to eat, and make fun Christmas gifts or favors!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Chilling Time
30 mins
Total Time
58 mins
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 141 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 4 ounces full fat cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose unbleached flour
  • 2 TBS cornstarch
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 40-50 drops Red food coloring
  • coarse decorating sugar or sprinkles optional garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cream the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth, then add the sugar and beat for three minutes or until light and fluffy.
  2. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
  3. Mix in the flour, cornstarch, and salt until fully combined, then divide the dough in half.
  4. Add 40-50 drops of red food coloring to one half of the dough and mix until well incorporated and the color you want.
  5. Make cookie dough balls using about 1 tablespoon dough for each ball from both the red and white dough and place on a cookie sheet. Refrigerate dough balls for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 350° F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Remove both red and white dough balls from the refrigerator a couple at a time.
  8. Roll each ball into a log about 7" long, then place one red log and one white log side by side and pinch the ends together to connect the logs at the top and bottom.
  9. Hold the top of the joined logs and twist the logs together to create the stripes. After twisting the red and white dough together, bend the top over into a hook to form a candy cane shape.
  10. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheets and sprinkle with sprinkles or sugar then bake for 8 minutes.
  11. After baking, allow cookies to cool for 15-20 minutes on cookie sheet before moving to a cooling rack. This will help prevent the cookies from breaking. Let cool completely then enjoy!

Notes

  • Use 1 teaspoon peppermint extract in place of one teaspoon of vanilla for a peppermint flavor.
  • Keep cookie balls in the fridge until ready to roll, work with a few at a time so they stay chilled. If they start to thaw as they sit out, put them back in the fridge and try again.
  • Make sure to chill the dough for 30 to 60 minutes to make it easier to roll the dough into candy canes. I don’t recommend chilling for much longer or if you do, let them thaw slightly before rolling out.
  • Press any cracks out of the candy cane before baking.
  • Get kids or other extra hands to help roll dough and form candy canes! This will make the process faster and is fun for everyone to be involved!
  • Try different types of garnishes on the candy cane cookies like crush candy canes, decorating sugar, and white crystal sprinkles.

Nutrition Information

Calories 141kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 22mg (7%) Sodium 67mg (3%) Potassium 26mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 192IU (4%) Calcium 9mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 141

% Daily Value*

Calories 141kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 67mg 3%
Potassium 26mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 192IU 4%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.