These Sparkling Peppermint Sugar Cookies take basic sugar cookies and load them with crushed candy cane pieces for a yummy holiday treat fit for Santa and his elves (or just you and your family)!
(This recipe for Sparkling Peppermint Sugar Cookies was originally published in December 2010, but was updated with new photos in 2018).
It seems like every year, I get a ridiculously slow start on my holiday baking. I think it has something to do with the fact that Christmas seems to sneak up on me so quickly.
One minute I'm minding my own business eating all things pumpkin spice and the next minute Santa Claus is coming down the chimney scaring the heck out of me.
And let me tell you, Santa Claus does not enjoy pumpkin parfaits. Oh no, pumpkin is far too healthy for him. He'd much prefer sugary, buttery cookies. Like these Sparkling Peppermint Sugar Cookies.
Sparkling Peppermint Sugar Cookies Recipe
While mint is a totally appropriate flavor to enjoy any time of year, there's definitely something about peppermint that just screams holiday season. Candy canes are obviously to blame.
I originally spotted this peppermint sugar cookie recipe on one of my favorite dessert blogs, With Sprinkles on Top, and the photo was just too stunning for me to resist.
I changed up the recipe a bit (like adding some more mint extract for an extra holiday kick!) and absolutely loved the results. And I think Santa would be, too. Not that he needs any more sugar in his system.
Want to know something funny/sad? Though they're just regular old candy canes, I have to say, I was quite surprised a 10-pack was only $1. I mean, after inflation and all, I would have figured CVS would try to get at least $2.99 out of me for this box.
And you know, I am so trained to pay that that I actually said, "these are only $1? Ew, they must not be good" as I searched for the non-generic ones.
Then I realized a) they're candy canes. Is there a non-generic? and b) each one of these probably costs $.00001 to make. So, I gladly grabbed a few boxes and went on my way, before there was a markup on aisle 5.
These are pretty much basic sugar cookies, but with the addition of mint extract and crushed candy canes! Crushing candy canes is pretty much the bane of my existence, but its so worth it for these cookies! I've crushed them in my mini food processor before, but I think it's easiest to just put them in a bag and whack them with a mallet (or even a heavy book!).
Other than that, just make the simple dough, roll it into balls, and then roll those balls in a candy cane and sugar mixture.
I absolutely loved these sparkling peppermint sugar cookies! It's like taking sugar cookies and kicking them up some major holiday notches. Also, you should know that the "chewiness" of this cookie is very easy to control.
If you want a crunchy cookie, bake for 10 minutes. But if you want a chewy, soft cookie stick to 8. I vote chewy and soft every time.
These are totally the kind of cookies Santa will go crazy for. I mean, they're buttery, sugary, and super pepperminty. Plus, I think they're super pretty thanks to all those crushed candy cane pieces!
It almost makes me wish for a little bit of snow... At least so that we can have a white Christmas!
I honestly can't remember the last time I ate a candy cane for enjoyment, but I'll buy candy canes all season long if I can use them in baking treats like these candy cane sugar cookies.
Which begs the question: why is it so hard to find peppermint candy canes these days? After a quick trip to Target's candy aisle last year, I realized they had almost every single possible flavor candy cane in the world (soda flavors?!), except for peppermint.
And all those other flavors? Yup, they're more than $1 a box! Peppermint totally gets the shaft. Can we work to bring them back in style? These peppermint sugar cookies can be just the first step in our efforts.
Let's embrace the peppermint candy cane (but not so much that prices are driven up).
Happy holidays! Now let's get sugared up!
What's your favorite flavor candy cane? Does it bother you that peppermint candy canes seem to be neglected?
If you're looking for more fun holiday treats, try this Gingerbread Cookie Cake or this Frosted Vanilla Cookie Cranberry Bundt Cake. I also love these Homemade Candy Cane Peppermint Patties from Sprinkles and Sea Salt!
📖 Recipe
Sparkling Peppermint Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted buter, room temperature
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon mint extract
- 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup crushed candy canes (about 7 candy canes), divided
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine ¾ cup sugar and butter in a mixer (or large bowl with hand mixer) and cream together at medium speed until light and fluff, 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg, vanilla, and mint extract and blend to combine.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
- Slowly combine the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture and blend on low speed, until just combined, taking care not to over-mix.
- Fold in ¼ cup of the crushed candy canes.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining ¼ cup of crushed candy cane with the remaining ¼ cup sugar.
- Shape the dough into ¾ inch balls and roll each in the sugar/candy mixture. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just starting to turn golden. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for a couple minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Annie says
Yay! I'm so glad you liked these 🙂
Roberta says
Those cookies are beautiful. They look so good. And I don't even like peppermint.LOL
Karen says
These cookies look delicious! I'm definitely adding them to my Christmas baking list. Oh, and I just made the peppermint bark cookies from Bon Appetit last night! 🙂
sassy molassy says
Brilliant! I love how candy canes make everything look so festive.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
your right, these cookies are so pretty!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
These are beautiful cookies!
Erica says
These are adorable! So festive. I honestly don't think I've eaten a candy cane in years. I guess wintergreen would be my fav flavor though
Shannon says
ooh, classic 🙂 i'm with you on peppermint candy canes!
Fun and Fearless in Beantown says
These look so pretty! I love taking a candy cane and putting it in a mug of hot cocoa. Yum!
Maria says
So pretty!
Tabia says
OMG I want to leave work right now and go home to make these. Wow.
Monique says
How awesome! I havent started my holiday baking. I keep meaning to bake and gift but i keep bringing them in for people i work for... lol. ugh.
Can you freeze cookies??
and hold the phone... i have to go back in your posts... do i see HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT??? no effing way! i need to get on that ASAP
Julie Q says
these look so delicious!!! I've been on a peppermint kick lately, will whip these up for xmas eve fo sho 🙂
Victoria says
These are so festive and they look delicious! I love peppermint (one of my favorite holiday-time flavors!)
Nicole says
I love the pretty candy cane dust! Soda flavored candy canes? Peppermint all the way.
Liz @ Blog is the New Black says
Great job- look awesome!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i like peppermint okay - i LOVE it with cookies and chocolate though!
Sharlene says
These cookies are gorgeous! I love the adaptation of simple sugar cookies into something more festive.
Rhonda says
Something about candy canes that illicit the holiday spirit. I am traditionaly all the way...must red and white stripped peppermint.
Pam says
What a fantastic idea! I can't wait to try these tasty treats.
Kerstin says
Sugar cookies are my favorites and these are so pretty and perfect for the holidays! I
Jennie @ Oh, Sweet Day says
These look so pretty! I love the classic peppermint candy cane for sure!
Kelly says
Gorgeous. I too, made cookies with peppermint the other day. So yummy. Must. Post.
sarah k. @ the pajama chef says
beautiful cookies! can't wait to try them 🙂
Culinary Cory says
These look and sound tasty. I'm totally going to try your peppermint cookies sometime soon.
emily says
your cookies look so festive and delish! i made a giant batch of cookie bark tonight, and i'm definitely on some kind of sugar high. 🙂
Velva says
Christmas has a way of sneaking up on me too. This year, I decided (first year) I am going to bake (scary thought), and these cookies might just be on my list. My kids would love them.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Velva
joan says
Peppermint! The other flavors do not speak "holiday" for me. 🙂
Lizzy says
I bought all these ingredients yesterday.. I cannot wait to make these cookies! They look awesome. I'm a pretty bad baker so I hope I don't miss them up. Thanks Sues !
Lizzy says
I bought all these ingredients yesterday.. I cannot wait to make these cookies! They look awesome. I'm a pretty bad baker so I hope I don't mess them up. Thanks Sues !
Marie says
the peppermint cookies you made last year are my FAVORITE christmas cookie now- I made them last winter and everyone loved them- making them again this weekend! 🙂
Melissa @ Made in Melissa's Kitchen says
I personally don't really care for peppermint, but we are having a hot chocolate bar at my work this week and I think my co-workers would love these!
Mary says
Peppermint is a flavor that I really love. These cookies look beautiful and I'll wager that they are delicious. I hope you are both enjoying the weekend. Blessings...Mary
Susan says
Those are the prettiest dessert!
Travel Food Phil says
These are great! Been trying to think of something to make for Xmas day snacks and this has given me few ideas of my own, thanks!
Elle says
These look so festive! My 7 yr old son just decided he *does* like candy canes, so these would be fun to make with him. Thanks!
Stephanie says
These look great! I haven't bought candy canes in years but now I want to just to make these cookies.
Denise says
I made these tonight to share with my daughter's ballet class tomorrow after their Nutcracker performance for the parents. We sampled a few and they are delicious. My daughter is so excited to share these with her friends. May even make more for my husband to take to work this week. Thanks for sharing all your recipe finds!
Kori says
These sound delicious! What a fun way to use candy canes. Thanks for sharing, and a very Merry Christmas to you!
Kelsey says
Megan made these and they were awesome!
The Nanny says
Found you on Pinterest.com and baked these cookies tonight as a trial run before making more as christmas presents, they turned out great and so easy to make. I bought 48 candy canes since they're difficult to find so I stocked up when I saw them, guess I'll be making loads of these 🙂
Thank you from across the pond.
Sues says
@The Nanny- Thanks so much for commenting! I'm so happy you found our blog and liked the cookies! I definitely stocked up on candy canes, too 🙂
Rainy says
I made a batch last night and they were PERFECT! Today I'm working on a big batch for church on Christmas morning. Thank you!
Karen says
I dipped these on one end in white chocolate and then in crushed peppermint. Very festive!
Liz says
Definitely making these at my holiday cookie party Sunday! Can't wait! Candy canes are my absolute favorite, and these look fabulous.
Misty says
Tried making the cookies they turned out great. Can't wait to make more.
Craig says
Made these this past week for a cookie swap. Came out awesome! Highly recommended. No changes needed (and I even doubled the recipe).
Emily says
Just finished a batch for my cookie boxes I'm giving as gifts...awesome! Super easy, tasty, and pretty! Loved it and will be holding on to this recipe for next year!!
Andrea says
Candy canes is perfect for christmas, my children love it! I have made it yesterday from your recipe.
Calderon says
These look great! I haven’t bought candy canes in years but now I want to just to make these cookies.
Heather B. says
They are so pretty! A joy to make. Just finished a batch for Xmas. Might chocolate drizzle some.
Julie B. says
Loved them! Followed the recipe to the letter & I wouldn't change a thing! These were the perfect sugar-butter cookie with a peppermint twist..so yummy (& just the recipe I was looking for:) The recipe was super easy & the cookies are pretty! The hardest part was getting the candy canes out of the wrapping & crushing them (lol!) I'll do something different next time..smaller candies or canes? Great recipe!! I'll be making more!
Mindy says
I have been making these cookies every year, multiple times, for my students in middle and high school, and they're always a favorite!! And my favorite as well! Thank you!