Name: Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 1 h 37 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter softened; 1½ cups granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon cream of tartar; 1 tablespoon heavy cream; 1 large egg room temperature; 1½ teaspoons pure peppermint extract; 1¼ teaspoons clear vanilla flavoring; ⅛ teaspoon baking powder; 3 cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon red squeeze gel color

There’s something truly magical about the holidays, and these Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe capture that festive feeling with every bite. Crunchy, minty, and perfectly swirled in classic red and white, these cookies don’t just taste amazing — they bring out the kid in all of us!

A white square plate filled with many twisted candy cane shaped cookies. Each cookie has two thick spiraled layers, one bright red and one light cream, wrapping around each other in a tight twist. The cookies have a soft, slightly smooth texture. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and a glass of milk is blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Making these Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. I love how easy they are to whip up but still look so impressive on a cookie platter — you’ll feel like a pro baker, I promise.

Perfect Peppermint Punch: The peppermint extract gives these cookies a refreshing, unmistakable holiday flavor that lights up your taste buds without being overpowering.
Fun and Festive Design: The classic red-and-white twist captures the iconic candy cane look, making them lovely as gifts or festive treats.
Simple Ingredients & Steps: With pantry staples and easy instructions, this recipe is accessible even for beginners.
Versatile for Customization: You can tweak the flavor or colors, making this recipe a joyful canvas for your own holiday creativity.

The image shows several candy cane shaped cookies with two twisted colors: bright red and creamy white. Inside a rectangular white dish with a red rim and some worn edges, there are about six of these cookies, arranged loosely. Around the dish on a white marbled surface, there are three more cookies placed casually, and a black wire cooling rack is partially seen in the top left corner holding a few more cookies. A folded white towel with black stripes is in the bottom left corner. The cookies have a smooth, slightly textured surface with a gentle shine. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe plays a special role — from that creamy butter to the peppermint extract. Here’s a quick rundown on why each one counts and what to look for when shopping.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with cream of tartar powder, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, one whole large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla flavoring, a small white ceramic bowl of pure peppermint extract, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a simple white ceramic plate of all-purpose flour, and a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant red gel food coloring placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Using softened unsalted butter ensures the cookie dough comes together smoothly and lets you control the saltiness in the recipe.
Granulated sugar: This sweetens and helps give those crisp edges we all love.
Cream of tartar: A little magic that helps the cookies hold their texture, giving a slight tang and chewiness.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and moisture for a tender crumb.
Egg (room temperature): Acts as a binder and adds structure. Letting it come to room temp helps your dough mix smoothly.
Pure peppermint extract: The star flavor of the show — don’t substitute with peppermint oil, as it can be overpowering.
Clear vanilla flavoring: Enhances depth without changing the cookie color.
Baking powder: A little lift to keep the cookies tender and not too dense.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the dough its body and structure.
Red squeeze gel color: The intense red hue creates that vibrant, festive swirl without watering down the dough like liquid coloring might.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to switch things up a bit depending on the mood or occasion. This Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe is like a blank canvas — play around with the peppermint level or even the colors to suit your vibe.

Variation: One of my favorite twists is adding mini chocolate chips inside the dough before twisting. It adds a subtle chocolate surprise that pairs so nicely with peppermint!
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, swap butter for a plant-based alternative and heavy cream for coconut cream — though texture will vary slightly.
Seasonal changes: Try green gel food coloring alongside red to make a fun two-tone peppermint swirl perfect for St. Patrick's Day or Christmas!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter - The Foundation of Fluffy Cookies

Start by grabbing your stand mixer or a handheld mixer—either works! Beat the softened unsalted butter on medium-high speed for about 1½ to 2 minutes. You want it light and fluffy, almost like whipped cream. This step is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture later on. Don’t rush it; the fluffier your butter, the better your cookies will be.

Step 2: Mixing in the Sugar and Cream of Tartar for that Perfect Texture

Turn your mixer down to low and add the granulated sugar, cream of tartar, and heavy cream. Then bump the speed back up to medium. Mix for 2 to 3 minutes until your mixture looks fluffy and airy. This combination assures your cookies have a tender crumb with just the right chew.

Step 3: Infusing the Peppermint and Vanilla Magic

With the mixer on low, add the egg next—make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth blending. Follow with the peppermint extract and clear vanilla flavoring. This is the step where your dough begins to come alive with that signature minty aroma. Be precise with peppermint – it can overpower quickly if you add too much, so stick to the recommended amount.

Step 4: Adding Dry Ingredients and Coloring the Dough

Add the baking powder and flour slowly, half a cup at a time, mixing just until the flour is fully incorporated and you see no streaks left. Dividing the dough into two balls now is crucial—one ball stays white, the other gets the red gel color mixed in gently on low speed. Chill both for an hour; this step helps the dough firm up so it keeps that candy cane shape when baked.

Step 5: Rolling & Twisting into Those Iconic Candy Cane Shapes

Use parchment paper on your work surface to avoid any red dye stains. Roll small balls of red and white dough into about 5-inch ropes. Keep your hands cool to avoid softening the dough too much—this helps keep the ropes firm and easy to twist. Twist the ropes gently together, keeping them rounded (don’t flatten!), then curl the top to make the classic candy cane hook. Pop them on a parchment-lined baking sheet with enough space to bake evenly.

Step 6: Baking & Cooling - The Final Countdown

Bake your candy cane cookies at 350°F for just 7 minutes—watch closely as ovens can vary, and you want sunny golden edges but not browned centers. Let them cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This rests the cookies so they firm up just right without breaking.

Top Tip

I’ve learned through many holiday baking sessions that patience is the real secret weapon for this Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe. Taking time to chill dough and keep it cool while rolling can make all the difference between a messy blur and a picture-perfect candy cane.

Chill, Chill, Chill: Don’t skip the refrigeration—it stops these cookies from spreading and losing their classic shape.
Temperature Matters: Keeping your hands cool while rolling means the dough won't get too soft and you’ll get neat, tight twists.
Watch Your Oven: Ovens vary, so start checking cookies around 6-7 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Use Parchment Paper: A game-changer for cleanup and keeping your counter dye-free while rolling the red dough ropes!

How to Serve Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with a light dusting of powdered sugar over these cookies — it gives a snowy winter feel. Sometimes I add a drizzle of melted white chocolate for extra sweetness and shimmer. It’s simple but makes the cookies look extra festive and inviting.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine alongside a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows or a peppermint latte to keep the minty theme going. They also pair wonderfully with a cheese board featuring mild cheeses and fresh fruit for a fun holiday spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging my Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe in a wreath shape on a decorative platter — it’s always a conversation starter. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane tied with red ribbon creates perfect homemade gifts that feel so personal and special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They stay wonderfully fresh for up to a week — perfect for snacking or last-minute hosting.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies after baking by wrapping them in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. When ready, thaw at room temperature. The peppermint flavor holds up great, and the texture stays just right.

Reheating

If you want to refresh the cookies, a quick 5-7 seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in a low oven makes them feel freshly baked — just keep an eye to avoid drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use liquid peppermint extract instead of pure peppermint extract?

Pure peppermint extract is preferred for this recipe because it provides a balanced, fresh flavor without overpowering the dough. Liquid peppermint extract or oils can be more potent and may alter the taste significantly. If using a substitute, add it sparingly and taste as you go.

What if I don’t have cream of tartar?

Cream of tartar helps with the texture and stability of the cookies but if you don’t have it on hand, you can usually omit it or replace it with an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar. Just be aware that the texture might be slightly different, but the cookies will still taste delicious.

How do I prevent the red dough from staining my hands or surfaces?

I always recommend covering your counter or board with parchment paper before rolling the red dough ropes. Wearing disposable gloves or chilling the dough a second time before rolling also helps reduce any red dye transfer. Avoid touching the dough with warm hands to keep it from getting too soft and sticky.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! These cookies dough balls can be prepared and chilled for up to 3 days before baking. You can also bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for a week or freeze them for longer storage, making them perfect for preparing in advance.

Final Thoughts

This Candy Cane Cookies with Peppermint Flavor Recipe holds a special spot in my heart — it’s the perfect blend of cozy nostalgia and holiday cheer. Baking these is more than just making cookies; it’s about slowing down, enjoying the process, and sharing joy with family or friends. I can’t wait for you to try making them and bring a little extra sparkle to your holiday season.