Peppermint Icebox Cookies are a deliciously sweet, crunchy, candy cane filled cookie! These show stopping, slice and bake cookies are perfect for a Christmas cookie tray or just as a snack with a glass of milk!

Candy cane cookies are my youngest child’s favorite Christmas cookie! He does change his favorite Christmas cookie occasionaly, but this year, this is definitely it! When I finished baking them, I was surprised by how many kitchen visits I had from this dear child!

This year I truly had to search a bit to find candy canes. When I finally did, the small ones were the best price. So, there was a lot of peeling off wrappers. 😅 Thankfully, my wonderful husband helped! Surprisingly, a couple of years ago, I found already crushed candy canes at Bulk Barn. What a bonus!

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When I include Peppermint Icebox Cookies on a Christmas cookie tray, I always get asked, “What kind is this?”

Not sure why the suspicion, but as soon as I say Candy Cane cookies, they are quickly sampled. Obviously, I should just put better labels on my Christmas cookie trays!

I discovered this recipe about 20 years ago. And, since candy canes rarely get eaten when they are hung on our Christmas tree, I decided to use them up by trying this peppermint icebox cookies recipe. In any case, these candy cane cookies were such a hit! I now include this icebox cookies recipe in my Christmas cookie baking every year!

History of Candy Canes

There is a legend that a creative choirmaster invented the candy cane in 1670. Apparently,to keep the young singers quiet during the living creche performance, he gave them candy sticks, which had been bent into the shape of shepherd’s crooks. Of course, no one knows for sure when the candy cane was truly first created. It wasn’t until 1919 that a candy maker by the name of Bob McCormack began making candy canes similar to what we now have.

A great thing about slice and bake Christmas cookies is that they can be made ahead! When you place the dough logs into the refrigerator or freezer to chill, you can leave them in for as long as you want! Of course, in the refrigerator, the candy cane cookie dough logs will only keep for a week or two. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze the cookie dough logs for up to 4 months!

When baking Christmas cookies, or at any other time, it’s always handy to have a few icebox cookies recipes on hand. These candy cane cookies, along with Cinnamon Roll Cookies, Shortbread Cookies, and Candied Ginger icebox cookies are always included in my Christmas cookie round-up!

Ingredients for Peppermint Icebox Cookies

• Butter, I do use salted as usual.
• Sugar, jsut 1/4 cup, the candy canes are plenty sweet.
• Egg
• Vanilla and Peppermint extracts. Be sure that it is peppermint extract for baking, not peppermint oil.
• All purpose flour
• Candy canes, or other hard peppermint candies, finely crushed.
• Red decorator sugar, to roll the dough logs in.

How to Make Peppermint Icebox Cookies

1. Beat the butter, until soft and creamy, then add the sugar and mix well.

2. Add the egg, beating well, then stir the flavorings in.

3. Add the flour and mix well.

4. Stir in the crushed candy cane.

5. Shape the dough into 2 logs, 2 ” in diameter. Sprinkle red decorator sugar on the counter or table. I use pieces of plastic wrap placed on the counter for easier clean up. Roll the dough logs in the red decorator sugar. Wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap and freeze until firm..

6. Slice the dough logs into 1/4 inch thick slices and place on a parchment or silicone mat covered baking sheet.

7. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

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Other Christmassy Cookies to Try!!

Peppermint Icebox Cookies

PeppermintIcebox Cookies are a deliciously sweet, crunchy, candy cane filled cookie! These show stopping, slice and bake cookies are perfect for a Christmas cookie tray or just as a snack with a glass of milk!

Author:RebekahCooking Method:BakedCuisine:AmericanCourses:Dessert, SnackRecipe Keys:HomemadeSweets

Print Recipe

Pin RecipeBaked

Prep Time30 minsCook Time10 minsTotal Time40 minsDifficulty:IntermediateServings:40Calories:82Best Season:Winter

Ingredients

Servings

• ³⁄₄ cup butter, salted (softened)
• ¹⁄₄ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 2 cup all purpose flour
• ¹⁄₂ cup candy canes (finely crushed)
• 6-8 tbsp red decorator sugar

Instructions

Video

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How to make peppermint icebox cookies

1. Beat the butter, until soft and creamy. Add the sugar and mix well.

   

2. Add the egg, beating well, then stir the flavorings in.

   

3. Add the flour and mix well.

   

4. Stir in the crushed candy cane.

   

5. Shape the dough into 2 logs, 2 " in diameter. Sprinkle red decorator sugar on the counter or table. I use pieces of plastic wrap placed on the counter for easier clean up. Roll the dough logs in the red decorator sugar. Wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap and freeze until firm..

   

6. Slice the dough logs into 1/4 inch thick slices and place on a parchment or silicone mat covered baking sheet.

   

7. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

   

Nutrition Facts

Servings 40

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 82kcal

Calories from Fat 33kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 3.8g6%

Sodium 31mg2%

Potassium 13mg1%

Total Carbohydrate 11g4%

Sugars 5g

Protein 0.9g2%

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Vitamin A 5 IU

Thiamin 5 mg

Folate 5 mcg

Selenium 5 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Be sure to use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, so that the cookies don't stick to the pan.

You can put the crushed candy canes through a strainer with larger holes to sift out any too big pieces.

These cookies do harden once cooled. You may want to let them cool a few minutes after baking before removing to the wire cooling racks.