Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies are a refreshing tasting buttery shortbread cookie with crushed peppermint candies in every bite. Dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with more candy cane bits, these are the perfect holiday cookies.
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Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies have a special place in my heart because of how simple and easy they are to make. Just mix, chill, slice and bake. The end result is soft buttery cookies with a delicious peppermint crunch.
There is a wait time for the candy cane shortbread cookie dough to chill, but it's worth it because it makes the dough firmer for cutting, and it helps to enhance the peppermint flavor in every bite. Yum!
We LOVE peppermint around here (and by that, I mean me, I love it), so winter months are usually filled with peppermint iced coffee and White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn, etc.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Buzz From Readers
"We made these peppermint shortbread cookies this afternoon and they are amazing! They are so easy to make and delicious. Perfect for the holidays."
- Dawn
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Super easy to make. No eggs, no leavening agents, just a few basic ingredients, and you're done. This is one of the reasons to love these shortbread cookies (and our Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookies, and Jam Shortbread Bars too).
- White chocolate, need I say more? Adding the white chocolate drizzle or dip to the cookies is optional but helps them to look as incredible as they taste.
- You can make them in advance. Make the Candy Cane Shortbread Cookie dough ahead of time and keep it in the freezer until ready to bake. Perfect for party planning!
🛒 Ingredients
Butter- Butter is a very important ingredient when it comes to shortbread because it helps to get the perfect melt-in-your-mouth consistency and keeps them tasting rich.
Powdered sugar- This will be used to sweeten the dough and to get it to hold together well.
Crushed Peppermint Candies- See the note below on what type of peppermint candies work best in cookies and why.
White Chocolate Chips- For melting down and garnishing our cookies with. You can omit them if desired, but I love the way they look! If you still have some on hand, be sure to try them in our Strawberry White Chocolate Cookies!
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Peppermint Candies. Use Bob's Sweet Stripes or soft peppermint candies. Avoid candy canes because they melt, spread, and create sticky spots.
White Chocolate. You can swap white chocolate chips for almond bark, candy melts, or dark chocolate if you prefer a less-sweet finish.
Shape Options. Instead of slicing into rounds, form the dough into a rectangle and cut into bars for easier shaping and fewer broken edges.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use Store Brand Ingredients Butter, flour, and powdered sugar are nearly identical across brands once baked. Store brand will save the most money.
Skip the Dip. Dipping in chocolate is optional. If you are budgeting, drizzle a small amount instead to stretch the chocolate further.
Freeze Dough Instead of Baking All at Once. Only bake what you need. Frozen dough prevents waste and gives you fresh cookies later.
🥄 Instructions for Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies
Step 1: Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add in the vanilla extract and mix well.
Step 3: Add in the flour and the crushed peppermint candies and mix again.
Step 4: Press the dough into a log on parchment paper and cover it with plastic wrap.
Step 5: Place in fridge and chill for at least 1 hour.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 7: Remove the dough from the fridge.
Step 8: Slice the dough ¼ inch thick. You should have about 12 cookies.
Step 9: Arrange on the baking sheet leaving space between each.
Step 10: Bake for 10-12 minutes and then allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 11: Melt your chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
Step 12: Dip half of the cookies into the white chocolate and then sprinkle with additional crushed peppermint if desired.
Step 13: Let them set before eating.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Skip Candy Canes. Candy canes melt in the oven, creating sticky spots or holes in the cookies. They are not ideal for baking.
- Use Bob's Sweet Stripes. Bob's Sweet Stripes hold their shape, stay soft, and give the best peppermint texture and flavor without melting or turning crunchy.
- Double Duty Ingredient. These candies also work great in White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn if you have extras.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage. Store Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 to 5 days. Keep parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
Make Ahead. Shape dough into a log and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before slicing and baking.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve these Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies with hot cocoa, peppermint mochas, holiday coffee, tea, or milk. They pair well on Christmas cookie trays, dessert boards, or alongside simple treats like chocolate bark or shortbread bars.
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❓ Peppermint Shortbread Cookies FAQs
Chilling the dough is a good way to firm up the soft butter. A soft dough will spread during baking, but chilled shortbread will retain its shape better.
While shortbread cookies can be frozen, peppermint shortbread shouldn't. The peppermint candies will become gooey, chewy, and messy as they thaw.
Store your cooled and set peppermint shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For best results, eat sooner rather than later so that the peppermint candies don't get too stale.
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🐝 If you tried these Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - ($1.98)
- ½ cup powdered sugar - ($0.18)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ($0.03)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour - ($0.26)
- ½ cups peppermint candies, finely crushed (Sweet Stripes preferred) - ($1.12)
- 4 ounces white chocolate chips (about 1 cup) - ($1.31)
Instructions
- Mix dough. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in the vanilla extract. Add the flour and crushed peppermint candies and mix until a cohesive dough forms.
- Chill. Shape the dough into a log using parchment paper. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Bake. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the dough into ¼-inch rounds and arrange on the baking sheet with space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, just until set. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Dip and decorate. Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Dip half of each cooled cookie into the chocolate and place on parchment paper. Sprinkle with additional crushed peppermint if desired. Let set completely.
Notes
- Peppermint texture. Finely crushed candies melt less and give cleaner cookie edges. Sweet Stripes work better than candy canes.
- Make ahead. Dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before slicing and baking.
- Storage. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended, as peppermint candies soften when thawed.
Nutritional Information
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Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
I love how easy shortbread is to make, yet it tastes magnificent every single time. Adding these to my baking list for next week!
Gina Abernathy says
I've been on the look out for a shortbread cookie recipe--thank you! Your cookies are so pretty. Hopefully, I can make some today.
Dawn Conklin says
We made these peppermint shortbread cookies this afternoon and they are amazing! They are so easy to make and delicious. Perfect for the holidays.
Nicole says
So glad you liked them!
Emily Flint says
I love anything peppermint and these cookies were so delicious! Perfect for the holidays!
Nicole says
We're big peppermint fans around here!
Andra says
Can't wait to try this recipe, I love shortbread cookies and these are perfect for the season 😀
Nicole says
They totally are! Hope you like them 🙂
Kayla DiMaggio says
These peppermint shortbread cookies are so delicious! Sweet, buttery and delicious!
Hollie says
Fast, easy and so festive! Thank you!
Zhen of greedygirlgourmet says
So Christmasy! Can't wait to try this recipe!
Nicole says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy!