Description
Light, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats infused with crunchy crushed candy canes. Whipped butter, powdered sugar, and cornstarch create a delicate, tender crumb with crisp edges, finished with peppermint bits for festive sparkle.
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
4 regular-size candy canes, crushed (~¼ cup)
Instructions
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Preheat oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
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Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand or hand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat butter and powdered sugar together on medium speed about 2 minutes until very light and fluffy.
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Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour and cornstarch together.
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Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to creamed butter mixture, whipping on low‑medium speed until dough becomes fluffy and smooth.
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Add candy canes: Gently fold in the finely crushed candy canes until evenly distributed.
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Shape cookies: Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
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Bake: Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking for a soft, meltaway texture.
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Cool: Let cookies cool on sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
Whip butter and sugar thoroughly for airy texture.
Cornstarch softens shortbread for melt-in-mouth crumb.
Crush candy canes finely for even distribution, minimal melting.
Use room temperature ingredients for smooth blending.
Store airtight up to 7 days; freeze baked cookies for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian / Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (1/24 recipe)
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: candy cane shortbread cookies, whipped shortbread holiday cookies, peppermint christmas cookies, buttery meltaway cookies, festive shortbread recipe