Healthier Candy Cane Cookies | Lower Sugar Christmas Treat

Candy cane cookies are a festive Christmas treat! Get classic peppermint and vanilla flavor, plus extra sweetness and crunch from the candy cane topping, without a sugar overload.

Making cookies at Christmas is a tradition my stepmom started and one that I hope to continue for years to come.

Although my stepmom always made sugar cookies, I stepped out of the box one year and made candy cane cookies.

Ever since that one year, my daughter has asked me if we can make them again!

HEALTHIER CANDY CANE COOKIES

In our efforts to eat less sugar, I created a Healthier Sugar Cookie that allowed us to keep our tradition AND stick to our real food goals.

After perfecting the sugar cookies, I thought it was time to try my hand at healthier candy cane cookies. When I dug up the original recipe, I realized it’s nearly the same as a sugar cookie!

With just a few tweaks, candy cane cookies were in the oven. And my daughter couldn’t be happier!

WHY MAKE CANDY CANE SUGAR COOKIES

Now, you might be wondering, why would you make a SEPARATE type of cookie using the exact same dough?

Oh, friends – these cookies look like candy canes!

Besides being a fun shape, candy cane sugar cookies are also:

• Easy to mix up. The simple dough comes together fast, and you don’t need to chill the dough either.
• Customizable. I like peppermint best, but you can also choose almond extract for a nutty cookie, or just use vanilla extract for a classic sweet flavor.
• A Christmas classic. The candy cane cookies are probably the most festive cookie on the tray!

HEALTHIER CANDY CANE COOKIE RECIPE INGREDIENTS

Here’s what you need for this classic candy cane cookie recipe.

• Butter. Use unsalted butter that is at room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
• Sugar. I recommend using Turbinado sugar. The larger granules help to reduce the amount of sugar even further.
• Egg. One large egg in the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape.
• Extracts. Traditionally, this candy cane cookie recipe calls for both vanilla extract and peppermint extract. I’ve tested using almond extract or only vanilla extract, and for me, peppermint and vanilla together is where it’s at.
• Flour. I tested several batches of cookies using all purpose and whole wheat flour. 100% all-purpose flour works the best for these cookies.
• Salt and Baking Powder. For flavor and lift.
• Red Food Coloring. I used this food coloring. If your family has sensitivities to food dye, you can make your own. If you want to buy a healthier option, these food colors are made from plants, vegetables, and seeds.
• Toppings. Cut-out sugar cookies are typically iced, but candy cane cookies are not. Instead, they’re sprinkled with a mixture of crushed peppermint candies and sugar for a bit of crunch and sweetness.

HOW TO MAKE CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Make the Cookie Dough

Step 1. In a bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, OR using a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream the sugar and butter until it is very light in color, about 5-10 minutes.

Step 2. Add the egg and extract(s) and mix until well combined.

Step 3. Next, add 1 cup of the flour, salt, and baking powder and mix on low. Add the remaining flour and mix until the dough is no longer crumbly and starts to stick together, mostly cleaning the sides of the bowl.

Shape the Cookies

Step 4. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 5. Divide the dough into two equal pieces.

Step 6. On a silpat mat OR on a counter lined with parchment paper, add 8 drops of food coloring to one piece of dough and knead until the color is evenly distributed, about 5 minutes.

Step 7. Using a cookie scoop, or eyeballing it, divide each color of dough into 16 pieces.

Step 8. Take one piece of white dough and roll it into a long rope about 5 inches long. Repeat with a piece of red dough.

Step 9. Twist the white rope and red rope together and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Curve the top in a candy cane shape.

Step 10. Repeat this process with the remaining pieces of dough.

Bake the Cookies

Step 11. Bake the candy cane Christmas cookies in the oven for 7 minutes, and then rotate the pan. Bake for another 2-3 minutes, just until the edges start to turn light brown. Remove the pan and place on a wire rack to cool.

Make the Topping

Step 12. While the cookies are baking, prepare the topping.

Step 13. Place candy canes and sugar in a food processor or blender and pulse until the candy is broken into small pieces, but not so much that it turns into powder.

Step 14. Pinch the topping with your fingers and sprinkle on the warm cookies immediately after you pull them from the oven.

Step 15. Let the topped cookies cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours before stacking.

Store candy cane cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to one week. (You can buy containers locally at Walmart or order them for delivery on Amazon.) They also freeze well if you make batches of cookies ahead of time! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight container in the freezer for the best freshness.

HOW TO MAKE CANDY CANE COOKIE TOPPING

I took mini candy canes and Turbinado sugar and pulsed them together in my blender.

If you don’t have mini candy canes, substitute them with other red and white peppermints. But honestly, any candy mixture will do! Peppermint candy comes in all shapes and sizes and colors.

I don’t recommend whizzing the candy into oblivion. That makes a super fine powder that isn’t as pretty on the cookies. Plus, it doesn’t carry quite enough mint for my tastes.

You want small chunks of peppermint candy plus granules of sugar. When they land on the hot cookies, the sugar will melt slightly, adhering the crushed candy canes to the tops of the cookies.

TOOLS FOR MAKING PEPPERMINT CANDY CANE COOKIES

While you don’t NEED any fancy tools to make peppermint candy cane cookies, there are a few things that make the whole process easier.

One last tip for these cookies: be sure to read the entire recipe through all the way. There are no hoops to jump through or anything tricky, but there are a few moving parts. There’s rolling and twisting, and I want your cookies to be amazing!

CANDY CANE COOKIES FAQS

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