Delicious Peppermint Swirl Cookies Recipe for the Holidays Recipe

Introduction

These Delicious Peppermint Swirl Cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. They combine a classic buttery cookie with refreshing peppermint and a festive red swirl, topped with crushed candy canes for extra crunch and flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Red food coloring
• Crushed candy canes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the egg and peppermint extract until well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
5. Step 5: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Leave one plain and add a few drops of red food coloring to the other. Mix until the color is even.
6. Step 6: Roll each dough portion into a 1-inch diameter log. Place the logs side by side and gently press together. Roll lightly to create distinct swirls.
7. Step 7: Wrap the combined dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove chilled dough and slice into ¼-inch thick rounds. Arrange on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the tops of each cookie with crushed candy canes.
10. Step 10: Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Centers may be soft but will firm as they cool.
11. Step 11: Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red without altering dough consistency.
• Substitute peppermint extract with vanilla extract for a classic swirl cookie flavor.
• Try adding finely chopped dark chocolate to the dough for an extra festive touch.
• For a softer cookie, slightly reduce baking time and monitor closely.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. To reheat, let the cookies come to room temperature or warm briefly in a low oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use candy cane pieces instead of crushed candy canes?

Yes, you can use small candy cane pieces, but crushing them finely helps distribute the flavor evenly and prevents the cookies from being too crunchy on top.

How do I keep the peppermint flavor from being too strong?

You can reduce the peppermint extract slightly according to taste, especially if you prefer a more subtle mint flavor in your cookies.

Delicious Peppermint Swirl Cookies Recipe for the Holidays Recipe

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These Delicious Peppermint Swirl Cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holidays. Featuring a delightful blend of classic buttery sugar cookie dough swirled with vibrant red peppermint-flavored dough, and topped with crunchy crushed candy canes, these cookies deliver a perfect balance of sweetness and refreshing minty flavor. Easy to make and sure to impress, they are ideal for sharing with family and friends at holiday gatherings.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Coloring and Toppings

• Red food coloring
• Crushed candy canes

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This helps to aerate the dough for a tender cookie.
3. Add Egg and Peppermint Extract: Beat in the large egg and peppermint extract until well combined, infusing the dough with a festive mint flavor.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide and Color Dough: Split the dough into two equal halves. Leave one half plain, and to the other add a few drops of red food coloring. Mix until the color is evenly incorporated.
6. Form Dough Logs: Take a portion of the red dough and a portion of the plain dough. Roll each into a log about 1 inch in diameter. Place the two logs side-by-side and gently press them together. Roll the combined dough slightly to blend the colors while keeping the swirl pattern distinct.
7. Chill Dough: Wrap the combined logs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms the dough, making it easier to slice.
8. Slice and Arrange: Once chilled, slice the dough logs into ¼-inch thick rounds. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
9. Add Topping: Sprinkle the tops of each cookie slice evenly with crushed candy canes to add crunch and additional peppermint flavor.
10. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still look slightly soft, but they will set as they cool.
11. Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to maintain crispness.

Notes

• You can substitute crushed peppermint candies or candy cane pieces for crunch and flavor.
• Be careful not to overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
• For a stronger peppermint flavor, consider adding a little more peppermint extract according to taste.
• Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• Chilling the dough logs is important to maintain the swirl pattern and make slicing easier.

Keywords: peppermint cookies, holiday cookies, peppermint swirl, sugar cookies, Christmas cookies, festive treats