The first bite of these White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies is like stepping into a cozy winter wonderland—each cookie is beautifully soft and bursting with a delightful balance of sweet and minty flavors. I’ll never forget the moment I pulled my first batch from the oven; the heavenly scent of vanilla and peppermint filled the kitchen, bringing back memories of holiday festivities with my family.
When I set out to create these cookies, I sought a treat that would not only satisfy my sweet tooth but also make my kitchen smell like the holidays. With rich white chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, they’ve quickly become a staple during the festive season. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa, these cookies are the ultimate way to bring cheer to any occasion. So, let’s get baking—your home will thank you for it!
Why are White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies a must-try?
Irresistible sweetness: The rich white chocolate combines brilliantly with the minty crunch of candy canes, creating a taste that’s sure to impress.
Festive flair: With vibrant colors and seasonal flavors, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter nights.
Easy to make: No fuss here—simple ingredients come together effortlessly for a mouthwatering treat.
Perfectly soft: These cookies bake to perfection, offering a delightful softness with each bite.
Crowd-pleasing magic: Whether enjoyed solo or shared with friends, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles all around!
White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
• Unsalted butter – Adds a rich, creamy texture to your cookies.
• Shortening – Keeps the cookies tender and helps them hold their shape.
• White sugar – Sweetens the dough and contributes to a delightful crunch.
• Brown sugar – Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor to the cookies.
• Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall sweetness and complements the minty notes.
• Peppermint extract – Provides that unmistakable winter flavor, making these cookies truly festive!
• Large eggs – Binds the ingredients together, creating a rich, soft cookie base.
For the Dry Mixture
• All-purpose flour – The backbone of the cookie dough, ensuring the perfect structure.
• Baking soda – Acts as a leavening agent for light, fluffy cookies.
• Salt – Balances the sweetness, enhancing the flavor profile of the cookies.
For the Finishing Touch
• Crushed candy canes – Sprinkle in holiday cheer and a delightful crunch.
• White chocolate chips – Melts into creamy pockets of sweetness; add extra for a delightful topping!
With these essential ingredients for White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies, you are just moments away from creating a memorable festive treat that will have everyone asking for more!
How to Make White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
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Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick when it’s time to enjoy them.
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Beat together the softened butter, shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes. This step creates a light texture that’s essential for delicious cookies!
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Add in the vanilla and peppermint extracts, then mix in the eggs one at a time. The extracts will infuse our cookie dough with delightful flavors, while the eggs bring richness.
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Mix on low speed to combine the flour, baking soda, and salt into your creamed mixture. If the dough sticks to your fingers when pinched, don’t fret—just add a tablespoon of flour until the right consistency is reached.
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Stir in the crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed. These ingredients will provide that festive crunch and creamy sweetness you love!
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Form the dough into balls, approximately 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each, and space them 2 inches apart on the lined cookie sheets. This allows them to spread without sticking together while baking.
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Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops look just set. After removing them from the oven, place a few extra white chocolate chips on top as a sweet finishing touch, if desired!
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Cool the cookies on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up, retaining that soft texture once fully cooled.
Optional: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies for an extra festive touch!
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies Variations
Feel free to play with these ideas to make your cookies even more delightful!
- Minty Chocolate: Substitute crushed Andes mints for candy canes for an extra layer of chocolatey mint flavor.
- Nutty Delight: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough for a wonderful crunch that complements the sweetness.
- Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to enjoy these cookies without the gluten.
- Dark Chocolate: Replace white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips for a touch of rich bitterness balancing the sweet flavors beautifully.
- Coconut Twist: Mix in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut for a tropical flavor hint that pairs beautifully with peppermint.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or cinnamon to the dough for a surprising warmth amidst the sweet and minty highlights.
- Less Sweet: Reduce the white sugar by 1/4 cup for cookies that are less sweet but still full of flavor enjoyment.
- Holiday Sprinkles: Top your cookies with festive sprinkles before baking to add a holiday pop of color and fun!
Each variation provides a unique twist, ensuring that each batch feels special and full of warmth!
Tips for the Best White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
- Butter Temperature: Always use softened butter for a fluffy dough; too cold won’t incorporate air properly.
- Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing once you add flour; it can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until combined for the perfect texture.
- Candy Cane Crunch: Don’t crush your candy canes too finely; larger pieces add delightful texture and visual appeal to your cookies.
- Baking Time: Keep a close eye on your cookies while baking. Underbaking slightly keeps them soft, but they should not be doughy.
- Cooling Period: Allow your cookies to cool on the sheets initially; this step prevents them from breaking while transferring to a rack.
What to Serve with White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies?
Embrace the cozy holiday spirit by creating a delightful spread that enhances your sweet treats and warms the heart.
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Hot Cocoa: The creamy richness of hot cocoa is the perfect partner, making every sip a sweet embrace alongside your crunchy cookies.
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Peppermint Bark: A festive treat, peppermint bark adds extra layers of minty flavor to your holiday dessert table, enhancing the candy cane essence.
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Milk: Classic and comforting, a glass of cold milk balances the sweetness of the cookies, allowing every bite to melt in your mouth.
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Christmas Cake: A slice of spiced Christmas cake complements the minty notes with its warm spices, creating that wonderful holiday harmony.
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Fruit Salad: A fresh fruit salad with seasonal berries introduces a burst of zesty flavor, cutting through the richness of the cookies for a wholesome bite.
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Coffee: Whether brewed strong or served as a latte, coffee’s slight bitterness beautifully contrasts with the cookie’s sweetness, making it a delightful pairing.
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Cheesecake: A light, airy cheesecake topped with festive fruits echoes the cookie’s flavors, inviting a touch of elegance to your dessert spread.
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Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts ideally beside the warm cookies, enveloping the taste buds in a creamy, sweet romance.
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Spiced Cider: Warm spiced cider offers a cozy, aromatic drink that complements the cookies, indulging your senses with every sip and bite.
How to Store and Freeze White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their freshness and soft texture.
Fridge: If you’re keeping them longer, place the cookies in the fridge for up to 1 week. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freezer: Freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating: For a warm and gooey treat, reheat cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Enjoy that delicious melted chocolate and festive crunch again!
Make Ahead Options
These White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance. Simply follow the initial steps of the recipe, then wrap the formed dough balls tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate them. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully while maintaining the cookies’ soft texture. When you’re ready to bake, just preheat your oven and place the refrigerated dough on lined cookie sheets, adding a minute or two to the bake time. Baking from chilled dough results in cookies that are just as delicious—slightly thicker and wonderfully tender!
White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies Recipe FAQs
How do I choose the right candy canes?
Absolutely! When selecting candy canes for your White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies, look for ones that are freshly packaged and free of dark spots or cracks. The minty flavor is essential, so opt for brands that emphasize natural peppermint flavors. If you can, buy mini candy canes for a more delicate crunch!
What’s the best way to store my cookies?
To keep your White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, moving them to the fridge can extend their freshness to about a week. Just remember to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking!
Can I freeze these cookies?
Very! Freezing these cookies is both simple and effective. Start by arranging the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch. Freeze for about 1-2 hours until solid, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature—that holiday magic can come back anytime!
What if my cookie dough is too sticky?
If you find the dough for your White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies is too sticky, no worries! If your dough is sticking to your fingers when you squeeze it, simply add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until you achieve the right consistency. Just remember to mix gently after each addition to keep your cookies light and fluffy!
Are these cookies safe for pets?
No, these cookies are not safe for pets. While peppermint is generally safe, ingredients like chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cats. It’s best to keep these festive treats to yourself and save other goodies specially made for your furry friends!
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! To make your White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies gluten-free, simply substitute regular all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Ensure that your other ingredients, like baking powder and chocolate chips, are also gluten-free to keep everything safe for those with dietary restrictions. Enjoy your delightful cookie making!
Decadent White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies to Delight You
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Beat together the softened butter, shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add in the vanilla and peppermint extracts, then mix in the eggs one at a time.
- Mix on low speed to combine the flour, baking soda, and salt into your creamed mixture.
- Stir in the crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Form the dough into balls, approximately 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each, and space them 2 inches apart on the lined cookie sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops look just set.
- Cool the cookies on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.