How to Make Candy Cane Cookies Original Betty Crocker Recipe

Candy cane cookies are a beloved holiday treat that blend the sweetness of sugar cookies with festive peppermint. If you’re looking to add a classic touch to your holiday baking, the Original Betty Crocker Candy Cane Cookies Recipe is the perfect choice. This recipe is simple yet delivers delicious results. It’s a great way to create soft, chewy cookies with a beautiful shape. Whether baking with loved ones or preparing treats to share, these candy cane cookies are sure to impress. Let’s dive into how you can make this holiday favorite using the timeless Betty Crocker recipe!

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Candy Cane Cookies Original Betty Crocker Recipe

Candy Cane Flavoring: Peppermint Extract and Crushed Candy Canes in the Candy Cane Cookies Original Betty Crocker Recipe

To achieve the perfect candy cane flavor, it’s essential to use both peppermint extract and crushed candy canes. Here’s how to incorporate them step by step:

1. Peppermint Extract: First, add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to your cookie dough. This provides a rich, aromatic base with the signature minty taste. Importantly, the extract blends seamlessly into the dough, ensuring every bite has a balanced peppermint flavor.
2. Crushed Candy Canes: Next, finely crush about ½ cup of candy canes. You can either use a food processor or place them in a ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin. Once crushed, mix the candy canes into the dough for a sweet, crunchy texture. Alternatively, you can sprinkle some on top of the cookies before baking to create a festive, sparkling finish.

By combining these two ingredients, you’ll not only enhance the flavor but also add texture, giving your candy cane cookies that perfect festive kick. Therefore, this simple step ensures that every bite is filled with delicious, minty goodness..

Sugar Cookies: The Perfect Base for Candy Cane Cookies Original Betty Crocker Recipe

The sugar cookie base is essential to creating soft, chewy candy cane cookies that complement the minty flavor perfectly. Here’s how to make the ideal sugar cookie dough:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Start by beating 1 cup of softened butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar. This creates a light and airy base for your dough. The sweetness of the sugar helps balance the peppermint flavor.
2. Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Next, mix in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The eggs provide structure and moisture, while the vanilla enhances the overall flavor, ensuring the cookies aren’t overly sweet.
3. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. This creates a soft, smooth dough that bakes up perfectly.
4. Why Sugar Cookies Work: The neutral, buttery flavor of the sugar cookie dough is the perfect canvas for the peppermint extract and crushed candy canes. The dough’s subtle sweetness lets the candy cane flavor shine without overwhelming the taste buds.

This simple sugar cookie recipe ensures your candy cane cookies have the perfect texture and flavor balance, making them the ideal treat for the holiday season.

Essential Baking Ingredients: Butter, Vanilla Extract, and Baking Powder for Soft and Chewy Cookies

For soft, chewy candy cane cookies, the right balance of ingredients is key. Here’s how butter, vanilla extract, and baking powder contribute to the perfect texture:

1. Butter: Start with 1 cup of softened butter. Butter not only adds richness but also provides the moisture needed to keep the cookies soft. It also helps the dough spread slightly during baking, giving your cookies a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
2. Vanilla Extract: Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a warm, sweet undertone. Vanilla enhances the flavor profile of the sugar cookie base and complements the peppermint in the candy cane, ensuring the taste isn’t overly minty or bland.
3. Baking Powder: Use 1 teaspoon of baking powder to ensure your cookies rise properly. Baking powder creates a light and airy texture, preventing the cookies from being too dense or flat. It helps the dough puff up as it bakes, resulting in soft, chewy cookies.

Together, these ingredients create the perfect base for your candy cane cookies, ensuring they are soft, flavorful, and have the ideal chewy texture.

Decoration Tips: Decorating with Crushed Candy Canes for a Festive Touch

Decorating your candy cane cookies with crushed candy canes adds a festive, colorful touch that makes them stand out. Here’s how to do it perfectly:

1. Crush the Candy Canes: Begin by placing about ½ cup of candy canes in a ziplock bag. Use a rolling pin to crush them into small, bite-sized pieces. This will give you a crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft cookie dough.
2. Dough Preparation: After shaping the cookie dough into candy cane shapes, gently press the cookie edges into the crushed candy canes before baking. This ensures the candy sticks during the baking process, giving your cookies a pop of color and sweetness on the edges.
3. Sprinkle on Top: For added decoration, sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top of the cookies right before baking. The candy will melt slightly into the dough, leaving a colorful, glossy finish.
4. Final Touch: If you want extra sparkle, you can lightly dust the cooled cookies with edible glitter or powdered sugar, enhancing their festive appearance.

These simple steps will transform your candy cane cookies into a delightful holiday treat, combining flavor with a beautiful, colorful finish that everyone will love.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Candy Cane Cookies Original Betty Crocker Recipe

Prepare the Cookie Dough: Mixing the Sugar Cookie Dough and Incorporating Peppermint Flavor

To create the perfect candy cane cookie dough, start by combining your ingredients in the right order and adding the peppermint flavor. Here’s how:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Begin by creaming 1 cup of softened butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar in a large bowl. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step creates a smooth, airy base that will help the cookies bake evenly.
2. Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Next, add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated. These ingredients provide moisture and flavor, ensuring the dough remains soft and easy to work with.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
4. Incorporate Peppermint Flavor: To give your cookies their signature minty taste, add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough. Stir until the extract is evenly distributed throughout the dough, ensuring every bite is filled with peppermint flavor.
5. Chill the Dough: Once the dough is ready, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and shape into candy cane forms.

By following these simple steps, you’ll have a smooth, flavorful cookie dough ready to shape and bake into perfect candy cane cookies.

Shaping the Cookies: Rolling Dough into the Iconic Candy Cane Shape

Shaping your cookies into the classic candy cane form is simple and adds a fun, festive touch. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Prepare the Dough: After chilling the dough for 30 minutes, remove it from the refrigerator. Divide the dough into small, manageable portions to make it easier to work with.
2. Roll the Dough: Take a small portion of dough and roll it between your hands into a 4-inch long log. Aim for a smooth, even texture, ensuring no cracks form in the dough.
3. Shape the Cane: Gently bend each log into the iconic candy cane shape by curving one end into a hook. You can make them as large or small as you like, but keeping them around 4 inches long is ideal for even baking.
4. Add the Crushed Candy Canes: Before baking, if you wish, you can gently roll the ends of the shaped dough in crushed candy canes to add extra flavor and a festive touch.

By following these steps, you’ll easily create perfectly shaped candy cane cookies that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat!

Baking: Tips for the Perfect Baking Time and Temperature for Chewy Yet Crisp Edges

To bake the perfect candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe, it’s crucial to get the right balance between chewy centers and crisp edges. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you achieve the perfect bake:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the ideal temperature for baking candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe, ensuring the cookies cook through evenly without burning.
2. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents them from sticking, giving the perfect texture to the candy cane cookies.
3. Bake for the Right Time: Place your shaped candy cane cookies on the baking sheet, ensuring they’re spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake them in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. This baking time ensures the candy cane cookies stay chewy on the inside while developing crisp, golden edges.
4. Monitor the Cookies: Keep a close eye on the cookies during the final minutes of baking. As soon as the edges are golden and the centers look set, remove them from the oven. Overbaking can lead to overly crispy cookies, so it’s important to catch them just at the right time.
5. Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This ensures they maintain their shape and gives the edges the perfect crispness.

By following these steps, you’ll achieve the perfect balance of chewy centers and crisp edges for your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe, making them a holiday treat everyone will love!

Cooling and Decorating: How to Decorate Your Cookies Once They’re Out of the Oven, with Crushed Candy Cane Sprinkles

Once your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe are baked to perfection, it’s time to cool and decorate them for a festive touch. Here’s a step-by-step guide for achieving a beautifully decorated finish:

1. Cool the Cookies: After baking your candy cane cookies, allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking when moved. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling properly ensures that the cookies stay soft inside while firming up on the edges.
2. Prepare Crushed Candy Canes: While your cookies are cooling, prepare crushed candy canes by placing a few candy canes in a ziplock bag and gently crushing them with a rolling pin until you have fine, colorful pieces. These will add a beautiful, crunchy texture and vibrant red and white specks to your cookies.
3. Decorate the Cookies: Once the cookies have fully cooled, it’s time to decorate. Gently press the crushed candy canes onto the edges of the cookies or sprinkle them on top. If you want a more pronounced candy cane look, you can also lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch.
4. Let the Decoration Set: Allow the candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe to sit for about 10 minutes. This gives the candy canes a chance to adhere to the cookies without falling off.

By following these steps, your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe will not only taste amazing but also look visually stunning with vibrant crushed candy cane sprinkles!

Creative Variations of the Candy Cane Cookies Original Betty Crocker Recipe

Add Chocolate: How to Drizzle Melted Chocolate for Extra Flavor

Adding a drizzle of melted chocolate to your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe elevates both the flavor and appearance of these festive treats. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Melt the Chocolate: Start by choosing your favorite chocolate dark, milk, or white chocolate work well. Break the chocolate into small pieces and place them in a heatproof bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted.
2. Prepare Your Drizzling Tools: Once the chocolate is melted, let it cool slightly before using it. To drizzle the chocolate, use a fork or place the melted chocolate in a piping bag for more control. If you don’t have a piping bag, a simple ziplock bag with the tip cut off will work just as well.
3. Drizzle the Chocolate: Hold the fork or piping bag above the cooled candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe and gently drizzle the melted chocolate back and forth over the cookies. Create a zig-zag pattern or a more random design, depending on the look you prefer. You can drizzle as much or as little chocolate as you like.
4. Let the Chocolate Set: Once you’ve drizzled the chocolate, allow the cookies to sit for 10-15 minutes to let the chocolate harden. For faster setting, you can place the cookies in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

Sugar Cookie Twist: Adding Colored Sugar for Extra Festive Flair

Adding colored sugar to your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe gives them an extra pop of color and festive sparkle. Here’s how to incorporate this simple yet effective decoration step:

1. Choose Your Colored Sugar: Select red, green, or white colored sugar to complement the candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe. You can find these sugars at most baking stores or even make your own by adding a few drops of food coloring to regular sugar and shaking it well.
2. Apply the Sugar Before Baking: Once your cookie dough is shaped into the candy cane form, lightly press one side of the dough into a plate of colored sugar. Be sure to coat the edges or the entire cookie to give it that extra festive look. The sugar will melt slightly during baking, adding a beautiful glossy finish.
3. Finish With Extra Sparkle: For an extra touch, you can sprinkle a little more colored sugar over the cookies just before they finish baking. This will ensure that the color stays vibrant and visible, giving your cookies a more polished, celebratory look.

By adding colored sugar to your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe, you’re giving them a fun, seasonal twist that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious!

Candy Cane Sandwich Cookies: A Creative Take on the Classic, with a Creamy Filling

For a fun and indulgent twist on the candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe, try turning them into candy cane sandwich cookies. Here’s how to make them extra special with a creamy filling:

1. Prepare the Filling: To create the creamy filling, mix together powdered sugar, butter, and a splash of vanilla extract. You can also add a hint of peppermint extract for an extra burst of minty flavor, complementing the candy cane cookies perfectly. Adjust the consistency by adding a bit of milk until it’s smooth and spreadable.
2. Bake the Cookies: Follow the candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe to bake your cookies as usual. Once they are fully cooled, match up similar-sized cookies to create pairs for the sandwich.
3. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a generous layer of the creamy filling on the flat side of one cookie, then place another cookie on top to create a sandwich. Press gently to secure the filling without squeezing it out.
4. Decorate (Optional): For an extra festive touch, you can roll the edges of the sandwich in crushed candy canes or colored sugar, just like in the original recipe, to add a colorful finish.

These candy cane sandwich cookies add a fun, creamy twist to the classic, taking your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe to a whole new level of deliciousness!

Peanut Butter Version: Swapping Out Some of the Butter for Peanut Butter to Create a Different Flavor Profile

For a fun twist on the candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe, consider incorporating peanut butter into the dough for a rich, nutty flavor. Here’s how to make this simple swap:

1. Adjust the Ingredients: In the candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe, replace about half of the butter with creamy peanut butter. This will infuse the cookies with a delightful peanut flavor while still maintaining the soft, chewy texture.
2. Mix the Dough: Follow the original recipe’s instructions for mixing the dough. The peanut butter will add moisture and a touch of richness, so you may need to adjust the flour slightly if the dough feels too sticky.
3. Flavor Pairing: The combination of peanut butter and peppermint is a unique and delicious pairing. As you follow the recipe, you’ll notice how the nutty flavor complements the cool minty taste of the candy cane cookies, creating a delightful contrast.
4. Bake as Usual: Once your dough is ready, shape the cookies as instructed and bake at the recommended temperature. The peanut butter version of the candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe will still bake to a soft and chewy texture with slightly crisp edges.

This peanut butter version of your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe brings a nutty twist to the traditional flavor, offering an irresistible combination of sweet, salty, and minty that everyone will love!

Creative Variations of the Candy Cane Cookies Original Betty Crocker Recipe

Storage Tips: How to Keep Your Cookies Fresh for Days or Freeze Them for Later

To keep your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe fresh, follow these tips:

1. Room Temperature Storage: Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This will keep them soft and fresh for up to 1 week. You can also add a piece of bread to help maintain their chewiness.
2. Freezing for Later: To store cookies for a longer period, freeze them. First, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for 2 hours. Then, transfer the cookies to an airtight container or zipper bag. They will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
3. Thawing Tips: When you’re ready to enjoy the cookies, let them thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes. You can also heat them briefly in the microwave to bring back that fresh-baked taste.

With these storage methods, your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe will stay fresh, so you can enjoy them at your convenience! Crocker recipe will stay delicious and ready to enjoy anytime!

Serving Ideas: Perfect Cookie Platters for Christmas Parties or Gift-Giving

The candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe make a delightful addition to any holiday party or as a gift. Here’s how to present them in a fun, festive way:

1. Cookie Platters: Create a beautiful platter by arranging your candy cane cookies alongside other treats like gingerbread and sugar cookies. Add some peppermint sticks or festive sprinkles to give the platter a holiday vibe.
2. Gift Boxes: For a thoughtful gift, stack your cookies in a gift box lined with parchment paper. Tie the box with a ribbon or place the cookies in a clear treat bag for a charming touch.
3. Party Favors: Send guests home with a sweet treat. Package a few candy cane cookies in small cellophane bags, tie them with a colorful ribbon, and hand them out as favors.

These ideas will ensure your candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe are a hit at your holiday parties and make the perfect homemade gift! gift for loved ones!

Why Candy Cane Cookies Are a Must-Have: A Quick Recap of the Reasons These Cookies Are Perfect for Any Holiday Gathering

The candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe are a holiday essential for many reasons:

1. Festive Flavor: Peppermint extract and crushed candy canes provide the perfect holiday taste. This makes them a popular treat for celebrations.
2. Charming Appearance: The candy cane shape adds a cheerful touch to your cookie platter. They not only taste great but look festive too.
3. Simple to Make: With basic ingredients, the recipe is easy to follow. Even beginner bakers can create these delicious cookies with ease.
4. Versatile Serving: These cookies are perfect for any occasion. Whether at a party, as gifts, or enjoyed at home, they fit any setting.

In short, candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe combine festive flavor, appealing design, and easy preparation, making them a must-have for holiday gatherings.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Candy Cane Cookie Recipe for the Holidays

In conclusion, the candy cane cookies original Betty Crocker recipe offers a festive treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. From mixing the dough to shaping those iconic candy canes and adding colorful crushed candy cane sprinkles, these cookies are both fun and easy to make. With the addition of peppermint extract and chocolate drizzles, you can truly make them your own.

Now that you have all the steps, it’s time to give it a try! Whether you’re baking for a party, gifting them to friends and family, or simply enjoying them yourself, these cookies will add a delicious touch to your holiday celebrations.

Share your candy cane cookie creations with us and enjoy the holidays!

For more festive baking ideas, check out our Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie Recipe. Happy baking!