The holidays are a time for togetherness, laughter, and of course, delicious treats! This year, ditch the store-bought cookies and try your hand at these delightful Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies. They're surprisingly easy to make, bursting with festive flavor, and guaranteed to become a new holiday favorite in your household. These cookies are perfect for easy recipes lovers looking for a quick dinner idea or a healthy meal alternative that satisfies your sweet tooth. They also make fantastic homemade cooking gifts!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup crushed candy canes (reserve some for garnish)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the Candy Canes:
Before you begin, crush your candy canes into small pieces. Use a food processor for even crushing, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Set aside some crushed candy canes for decorating later.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is easily achieved using an electric mixer.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 5: Gradually Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Stir in Candy Canes:
Gently fold in the crushed candy canes.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set.
Step 8: Cool and Decorate:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with the reserved crushed candy canes.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened; this will ensure that your cookies are light and fluffy.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Cooling is Important: Let the cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent the candy canes from melting.
Variations:
- Peppermint Extract: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract along with the vanilla extract for an extra boost of peppermint flavor.
- White Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of white chocolate chips for added sweetness and texture.
- Different Candy: Experiment with other crushed candies, such as peppermint bark or crushed chocolate candies.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-180
- Fat: Approximately 8-10g
- Sugar: Approximately 15-20g
These delicious Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies are a perfect addition to your holiday baking repertoire. They're a simple, delightful treat that everyone will enjoy. This easy recipe ensures delicious dishes are within everyone’s reach, making it a perfect option for quick dinner ideas and healthy meals. Happy baking!