White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

When it comes to Christmas baking, peppermint cookies Christmas recipes are a must-have, and these white chocolate candy cane cookies top the list! They’re soft, chewy, and filled with festive flavors of peppermint and melty white chocolate. Plus, they look as cheerful as the holidays feel.

If you’re like me, the holiday season is all about gathering around the kitchen, filling the house with sweet smells, and indulging in treats that make the season special. These cookies are simple, beautiful, and perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself).

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Why You’ll Love These White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Festive & Fun: The red and white candy cane pieces pop against the golden cookie, making them perfect for parties or gifting.
Easy to Make: No chilling required just mix, bake, and enjoy.
Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy with a slight crunch from crushed candy canes.
Customizable: Swap out peppermint for other flavors or use different types of chocolate to make them your own.

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Ingredients for White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these white chocolate cookies:

Butter & Shortening: The combo ensures a soft texture with buttery flavor.
Sugars: Brown sugar adds chewiness, while white sugar creates crisp edges.
Flavorings: Vanilla and peppermint extracts deliver that signature holiday flavor.
Candy Canes: Crushed candy canes provide the festive crunch.
White Chocolate Chips: Melt-in-your-mouth sweetness in every bite.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Peppermint White Chocolate Cookies

1. Preheat Your Oven

Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, beat together softened butter, shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add the vanilla and peppermint extracts, then mix in the eggs one at a time.

3. Add Dry Ingredients

Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until combined.

Pro Tip: To prevent dry cookies, measure the flour correctly. Spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife.

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4. Fold in Candy Canes & Chocolate

Gently stir in the crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips.

5. Scoop & Shape

Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), form dough balls. For larger cookies, use 3 tablespoons and shape the dough taller than it is wide.

6. Bake

Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8–10 minutes for smaller cookies or 12–14 minutes for larger ones. The tops should look just set.

Optional: Add a few extra white chocolate chips on top of each cookie as they come out of the oven for a bakery-style finish.

7. Cool

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies A Holiday Favorite

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Tips for the Best White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing the dough can make your cookies tough. Mix just until combined.
Use Fresh Candy Canes: Old candy canes might be sticky or dull in flavor.
Prevent Spreading: Shape taller dough balls to keep the cookies thick.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezing Dough: Freeze unbaked dough balls in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Once cooled, store cookies in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

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Variations & Substitutions

Not a fan of peppermint? Swap peppermint extract for almond or orange extract for a different twist.
Mix it up: Try dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or milk chocolate chips instead of white chocolate.
Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Why White Chocolate & Peppermint is the Ultimate Holiday Combo

The creamy sweetness of white chocolate balances the refreshing minty crunch of candy canes. It’s like a bite of winter wonderland—sweet, cool, and oh-so-satisfying.

FAQs

Can I make these without peppermint extract?

Yes! You can rely solely on the candy canes for a milder mint flavor.

How do I prevent candy canes from melting too much?

Mix the crushed candy canes into the dough, and avoid placing large pieces directly on the edges of the cookies.

Why use both butter and shortening?

Butter adds flavor, while shortening ensures the cookies stay soft and don’t spread too much.

Can I use only butter instead of shortening in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute the shortening with an equal amount of butter, but the texture may change slightly. Shortening helps create a softer, more tender cookie, while using all butter may make the cookies spread a bit more and be slightly crispier around the edges.

How do I keep the crushed candy canes from melting too much in the cookies?

Crushed candy canes tend to melt slightly while baking, which adds to their festive look. However, to minimize excessive melting, try using larger candy cane chunks and avoid crushing them into fine dust. You can also fold them into the dough just before scooping the cookies to reduce the time they spend in the batter.

Looking for more festive treats? Check out these holiday favorites:

These white chocolate peppermint cookies are sure to bring joy to your holiday season. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a festive gift, or simply baking for fun, these cookies are a winner.

White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies for the HolidaysSwirl Shortbread Cookies

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White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies A Holiday

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Don’t forget to pin this recipe to your holiday board on Pinterest so you can come back to it every year!

Happy baking!

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