Christmas Cookie Recipes: Candy Cane Cookies

By Sirena Van Schaik

Every year, when Christmas comes around, we are once again surrounded by images of Christmas and Santa Claus. He is the jolly old fellow with a “tummy like a bowlful of jello,” and he comes on Christmas Eve to give presents to all the good boys and girls. The only thing that he asks for in return is a few Christmas Cookies and a glass of milk.

Usually, throughout that long journey around the earth, Santa is often seen eating chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies and there isn’t a lot of variety for him at all. I’m sure Santa likes more than one type of cookie and would probably love to have a variety of treats waiting for him on the plate. So why not try something a little new for Santa with the Candy Cane Cookies.

Oh sure, we all know who Santa is but don’t you think he would like some wonderful cookies that taste like candy cane. If you aren’t sure about offering Candy Cane Cookies at Christmas, just stop and think about what the North Pole is made of and you will know that Candy Cane is just the right choice.

What you need:

2½ cups of flour, all-purpose
½ cup of sugar
1 cup of confectioners’ sugar
1 cup of butter
1 tsp of salt
1 egg
½ cup of crushed candy canes
3/4 tsp of peppermint flavoring
1 tsp of vanilla extract
Red food coloring

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Set to the side.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and white sugar with an electric mixer.
3. Slowly add the egg, vanilla extract and peppermint flavoring to the butter mixture. Continue to blend together until everything is mixed thoroughly.
4. Slowly add the flour, blending as you pour in the flour, into the butter mixture.
5. Split the dough into two separate portions and set one to the side. Add a few drops of red food coloring to the other portion until you get the desired color.
6. Cover and place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours; overnight is better and makes the dough easier to handle.
7. Remove the dough from the fridge, and roll out about a teaspoon of each color into 4 inch cookies.
   Pinch the two cookies together and then twist the two colors together. Shape into a candy cane shape and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake in the oven, set at 375°F, for 8 to 10 minutes or until the sides are starting to brown.
   While the cookies are baking, combine the crushed candy cane and confectioners’ sugar; mix until well-blended.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven, allow them to cool slightly and then sprinkle the candy cane mixture on the top of the cookies.

Allow the cookies to cool completely before you serve them to Santa and any of the little helpers you have running around.