How to Make Picture-Perfect Candy Cane Cookies
Updated: Nov. 15, 2019Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
Candy cane cookies are such a fun addition to your holiday cookie tins. Learn how to make these twisted, buttery treats at home.
Everyone in my family has their signature Christmas cookie that they bring to all the holiday parties. My mom bakes up batches of almond-flavored spritz, my sister decorates gorgeous sugar cookies and I make the kolachkes. My favorite, though, has to be my aunt Mary’s candy cane cookies. I look forward to these twisted treats every Christmas season.
Candy cane cookies are so near and dear to me because I know that my aunt takes the time to carefully shape each one. The result is a pretty cookie that has a wonderfully delicate texture and simple buttery flavor. While I’ll wait on Aunt Mary to make her annual batch of these cookies, I’ll walk you through how to make these cookies yourself.
How to Make Candy Cane Cookies
To make candy cane cookies at home, try this cookie recipe from Shannon Norris, Taste of Home‘s senior food stylist. To make these cookies, you’ll need:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- Red paste food coloring
Step 1: Make the dough (it’s easy!)
Stirring up the cookie dough for these holiday classics is super easy. Start by creaming together the butter, sugar and salt until nice and fluffy. Then add in the vanilla and egg yolk. Once combined, gradually beat in flour.
Next, divide the dough into equal halves. Set one half aside. Beat red food coloring paste or gel into the other half until the dough is candy cane red.
Editor tip: Be sure to use gel food coloring or food coloring paste (not liquid food coloring). It will give you that rich and vivid red color. Liquid coloring just isn’t potent enough for that. Our Test Kitchen uses this gel food coloring.
Step 2: Roll and portion the dough
Next, roll out the dough into six-inch squares. Start with the undyed dough to prevent any color carryover on your work surface. Wrap each square in plastic wrap or a reusable wax wrap and pop in the fridge for at least an hour—up to overnight.
Once chilled, break out your ruler. Slice each six-inch square into 36 one-inch square portions. This seems like a lot of math and fussing, but it makes getting the right proportions in your candy cane cookies much easier.
Step 3: Shape the candy cane cookies
Next, take a square of each color dough and soften it a bit in your hands. Then roll into a rope about six inches long. From there, twist the two ropes together.
All the measuring, rolling and twisting can be a bit of work, so enlist the help of a buddy to help you out. The work will go more quickly if you crank up our Christmas cooking baking playlist.
Editor tip: Cover your work surface in a sheet of parchment paper. This will prevent the red food dye (which is particularly strong) from staining your work surface. Marble and wood are particularly susceptible to staining.
Step 4: Bend and bake
All that’s left is to give these cookies the finishing touch. Give each rope a bend as you place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then pop in a 350ºF oven and bake for seven to nine minutes. Once baked, move to a wire rack to cool.
The end result is a wonderfully buttery cookie that goes great with a cup of coffee—or a cold glass of milk if you want to try them Santa-style. I guarantee if you add these to your treat tray, they’ll be gone in an instant, just like these other recipes perfect for a Christmas cookie exchange.
Christmas Candy Cane Cookies
These cookies were a holiday tradition in my family since I was a young child. Now my own family requests them before any others at Christmas. —Pat Schmeling, Germantown, Wisconsin
Candy Cane Chocolate Mini Loaves
Having a bunch of leftover candy canes after the holidays inspired me to use them up by adding them to a chocolate bread. Coffee and cocoa intensify the flavor. —Shelly Platten, Amherst, Wisconsin
Candy Cane Pie
When my college roommate first made this pie, I couldn't get enough! Using a store-bought crust helps save time when you're in the midst of the holidays. —Charlotte Stewart, Mesa, Arizona
Candy Cane Snowballs
I bake dozens of kinds of Christmas cookies to give to family and friends. I came up with this recipe when I had leftover candy canes. We dip the snowballs into a white candy coating, then into crushed peppermint candy. —Debby Anderson, Stockbridge, Georgia
Peppermint Stick Cookies
With cool mint flavor and a festive look, these whimsical creations will make you feel like you're in the North pole. The chilled dough is easy to shape, too. —Nancy Knapke, Fort Recovery, Ohio
Triple Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
This dazzling cookie showcases one of my family's favorite flavors, peppermint. It's always one of the first to disappear from the cookie tray. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Candy Cane Coffee Cakes
I make my festive-looking coffee cakes at Christmas and for breakfast company. My husband doesn't usually care for apricots, but he loves these. —Kelley Winship, West Rutland, Vermont
Peppermint Kisses
These are fun, refreshing and low in fat! —Lynn Bernstetter, Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
Classic Candy Cane Butter Cookies
To make cookies that look like candy canes, we color half the dough in classic red and twist away. They're fun to hang on the side of a coffee mug, or you can devour them on their own. —Shannon Roum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Layered Candy Cane Dessert
This fabulous dessert has the magical flavor of candy canes plus the bonus of an Oreo cookie crust. And it looks like a winter wonderland. —Dawn Kreuser, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Peppermint Puff Pastry Sticks
I wanted to impress my husband's family with something you'd expect to find in a European bakery, and these chocolaty treats are what I came up with. The flaky pastry melts in your mouth. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Chocolate Candy Cane Martinis
A peppermint martini is perfect for a fun Christmastime gathering of friends. Crushed candy canes on the rim add festive flair. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Candy Cane Rolls
Fun and lightly sweet, these festive rolls will delight children of all ages. Make them as part of a holiday brunch or an evening snack served with hot chocolate. Either way, you'll see satisfied smiles. —Janice Peterson, Huron, South Dakota
Candy Cane Blossom Cookies
We like to stir different flavored candy canes into the dough for fun variety. —Joan Cossette, Colbert, Washington
Elf Cupcakes
Rich and buttery vanilla cupcakes have a tender crumb and make a perfect base for these whimsical elves lost in fluffy frosting. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Meringue Candy Canes
These red-and-white striped treats get lots of compliments for their cute looks and minty taste. The seasonal confections are easy to make and so light that they melt in your mouth! —Anne Lindway of Indianapolis, Indiana
Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
These cookies are so simple, children can help prepare them. They taste delicious and look festive on cookie trays. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Chocolate-Dipped Candy Canes
I couldn't resist combining my two loves—peppermint and chocolate—in this recipe. These are so easy, but if one breaks in the process, just pop it in your mouth. —Sandra Baumgarten, Vancouver, Washington
Pulled Taffy Candy Canes
My grandmother always made these at Christmastime and said her mother did, too. The soft and chewy canes have a great minty flavor. They're especially nice because the whole family can pitch in to prepare them. —Sheryl O'Danne, Port Townsend, Washington
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