Candy Cane Cookies – A Christmas Tradition

There is no single Christmas food item that says Christmas to me like a candy cane cookie. My mom regularly made these at Christmastime and they are still one of my favorite Christmas memories.  These cookies are fun to make and have a tendency to turn even the grinchiest frown into a smile.

My first attempt at making these Betty Crocker cookies was several years ago and I was disappointed because they did not taste how I remembered them. I decided that this year I would figure out how to replicate the taste of my mom’s cookies. It turned out to be easier than I thought.  After searching the Internet I discovered that Betty Crocker has changed its recipe for Candy Cane Cookies.  However, the old recipe still lives on through old cookbooks and the Internet! The following recipe is primarily from the old Betty Crocker version, but I used butter instead of shortening.

Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• red food coloring
• 2 tbs crushed candy canes*
• 2 tbs granulated sugar

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 F.
2. Stir together candy/cane and granulated sugar; set aside.
3. Mix butter, powdered sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla thoroughly.  Mix flour and salt and then stir into the wet mixture.
4. Divide dough in half and blend red food coloring into one half.
5. Roll a 4-inch strip from each color. For smooth, even strips, roll them back and forth on a lightly floured board. Place strips side by side, press lightly together and twist like rope.  Place on ungreased baking sheet. Curve top down to form the handle of the candy cane.
6. Bake 9 minutes, until lightly browned.
7. Immediately sprinkle candy cane/sugar mixture over cookies. Remove from cookie sheet to wire cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

These cookies are a fun tradition.  Is this recipe part of your childhood memories? Feel free to leave a comment.  Share and let’s talk about it.