White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

The festive season brings with it an array of delightful flavors, and nothing captures the essence of Christmas quite like White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies. These cookies combine the buttery goodness of classic cookies with the sweetness of white chocolate and the refreshing crunch of candy canes. Perfectly festive and irresistibly delicious, they’re sure to be the highlight of your holiday baking.

Let’s dive into the details of this recipe, from crafting the perfect dough to creating cookies that are both visually stunning and full of flavor.

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

1. Holiday Appeal: The vibrant red and white candy cane pieces make these cookies as beautiful as they are delicious.
2. Decadent Flavor: The sweetness of white chocolate complements the minty freshness of crushed candy canes.
3. Easy to Make: With a straightforward recipe and simple ingredients, these cookies come together in no time.
4. Versatile: Perfect as gifts, party treats, or a snack to enjoy with a warm cup of cocoa.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

1. Soften the Butter: Let the butter sit at room temperature until softened for easy mixing.
2. Crush the Candy Canes: Place candy canes in a zip-top bag and crush them using a rolling pin or meat mallet until you have small, bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

1. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.

Step 3: Fold in the Mix-Ins

1. Add White Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips with a spatula or wooden spoon.
2. Incorporate Candy Canes: Stir in the crushed candy canes, being careful not to overmix as the candy cane pieces can start to melt from the warmth of the dough.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

1. Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents spreading during baking.

Step 5: Preheat the Oven

1. Set the Temperature: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup and even baking.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

1. Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough into balls, about 1 ½ tablespoons each. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
2. Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they’ll set as the cookies cool.

Step 7: Cool and Garnish

1. Cool on a Rack: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Add Extra Candy Cane: While the cookies are still warm, gently press a few reserved candy cane pieces onto the tops for a festive touch.

Tips for Perfect Cookies

1. Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough is key to preventing excessive spreading during baking.
2. Use Fresh Candy Canes: Fresh, crisp candy canes are easier to crush and give a better texture.
3. Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so mix the dough just until the ingredients are incorporated.
4. Keep an Eye on Baking Time: White chocolate can brown quickly, so keep a close eye on the cookies during the last few minutes of baking.

Variations

1. Dark Chocolate Twist: Substitute half of the white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
2. Nutty Addition: Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch.
3. Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
4. Drizzle Decoration: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies for an extra decorative touch.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of buttery cookie dough, sweet white chocolate, and minty candy cane creates a flavor profile that’s both classic and unique. The candy cane pieces not only add a festive look but also provide a delightful crunch, while the white chocolate brings a creamy sweetness that balances the bold peppermint flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies are delightful on their own but pair wonderfully with:

• A steaming cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
• A glass of cold milk for a classic cookie experience.
• A festive cocktail like peppermint martinis for an adult holiday gathering.

Final Thoughts

These White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies are a must-try for the holiday season. They’re simple to make, endlessly customizable, and bring the perfect balance of sweetness and peppermint freshness. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, preparing gifts for loved ones, or simply indulging in seasonal flavors, this recipe is guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.

So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let the magic of holiday baking begin!

Yield: 24 Cookies

White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies Recipe

Print

The festive season brings with it an array of delightful flavors, and nothing captures the essence of Christmas quite like White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies. These cookies combine the buttery goodness of classic cookies with the sweetness of white chocolate and the refreshing crunch of candy canes. Perfectly festive and irresistibly delicious, they’re sure to be the highlight of your holiday baking.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Chill Time 30 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes (plus extra for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
3. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until well combined.

2. Add Dry Ingredients:

1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
2. Fold in the white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.

3. Chill the Dough:

1. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps prevent spreading during baking.

4. Preheat the Oven:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

5. Shape and Bake:

1. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will still look slightly underbaked but will set as they cool.

6. Cool and Garnish:

1. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Sprinkle additional crushed candy canes over the cookies while they’re still slightly warm for extra festive flair.

Notes

• Candy Canes: Crush the candy canes in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin to get a mix of fine and coarse pieces.