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Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies

A delicious shortbread cookie topped with smooth chocolate and crushed candy canes. This Christmas cookie is easy to make and beautiful.


An easy Christmas cookie that looks beautiful and tastes delicious, this shortbread base is tender and buttery and topped with classic holiday flavors.

finished cookies with crushed peppermint candies

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Super delicious. You’ll love how tender and buttery the shortbread base is, and the classic holiday flavors of chocolate and peppermint are the perfect combination.
  • Easy to make. This Christmas cookie is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
  • Perfect for holiday entertaining. These cookies are perfect for holiday parties or as a festive gift.

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

ingredients on counter.

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You’ll need the following for these holiday cookies:

  • salted butter 
  • brown sugar 
  • all-purpose flour
  • semisweet chocolate chips
  • white chocolate chips (or white chocolate baking bar)
  • vegetable shortening
  • crushed peppermint candies (available in the baking aisle during the holiday season, or online here.)

🍴Instructions

Step One: make the dough

creamed butter and sugar and crumbly dough

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place two racks in the upper and lower middle positions. Then, prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together at medium speed until they are light and fluffy. Add 2 cups of flour to the butter mixture and mix it in on low speed. The cookie dough will look very crumbly, but do not add any liquid. Turn it onto a lightly floured surface and mix in the remaining ¼ cup of flour by hand.

Step Two: roll out and cut

dough being rolled out and cut into circles

Roll the cookie dough out so that it is about ½ inch thick. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, dust it with flour. Cut the dough into circles. Place them on a prepared baking sheet. They will not spread much.

Step three: bake and cool

baked cookies on parchment

Bake the cookies for 20 minutes, until cookies are set and the edges are golden brown. Cool completely on a cooling rack before dipping.

Step Four: decorate

hand dipping cookies into melted chocolate and adding crushed candy canes.

Put the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave on LOW for 45 seconds. Stir them halfway through. Dip the cookies in the chocolate and put them on a piece of waxed or parchment paper. Add the crushed peppermints while the chocolate is still melted. Let them rest on the paper until the chocolate sets.

🥫 Storage instructions

Store the fully cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Place a layer of parchment paper between the cookies to prevent them from sticking together.

Cookies can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

🔍 FAQs

Why is there no egg yolk or vanilla?

Because this is a very simple dough. Trust me. You’ll love it. They have great flavor and texture.

Do I have to use two different kinds of chocolate?

I like the contrast of dark and white chocolate, but you can use all of one or the other if you prefer.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can freeze the fully baked cookies or the dough. Let them thaw completely before decorating.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

  • Don’t roll the dough too thin or the cookies will break as they bake.
  • You may find it helpful to pour the chocolate into a 1 cup measuring cup so it’s deep enough to dip easily.
  • You can add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract when you beat the butter and sugar.
  • This classic shortbread recipe is so versatile: you can cut it into rectangles, make sandwich cookies, or sprinkle them with sanding sugar before baking.

📘 Related Recipes

🍽 Serve it with

Having a cozy holiday gathering? Try these recipes too:

plate of cookies coated in white and regular chocolate.

📖 Here’s the recipe

close up view of cookie topped with chocolate and crushed candy cane.
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Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies

Print Recipe
A delicious shortbread cookie topped with smooth chocolate and crushed candy canes. This Christmas cookie is easy to make and beautiful.
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:50 minutes
Click here to grab a free seasonal e-cookbook!

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup salted butter at room temperature
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • 4 teaspoons vegetable shortening divided
  • 1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions

  • Prep baking sheets. Preheat oven to 325 degrees with two racks in the upper middle and lower middle positions. Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Make dough. Cream butter and sugar in an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add 2 cups of flour and mix on low until the flour is mixed in. The cookie dough will appear very crumbly, but do not add any liquid. Turn it on onto a floured surface and mix in the remaining ¼ cup of flour by hand.
  • Roll out and cut. Roll the cookie dough out to ½ inch thickness, dusting the rolling pin with flour if the dough sticks. Cut into rounds using a cookie cutter or biscuit cutter. Place on a prepared baking sheet. They will not spread much.
  • Bake and cool. Bake the cookies for 20 minutes, until cookies are set and edges are golden brown. Cool completely on wire racks for dipping.
  • Dip and decorate. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave on LOW for 45 seconds, stirring halfway through. Dip the cookies in the chocolate and place them on a piece of waxed or parchment paper. Add the crushed peppermints while the chocolate is still melted. Let them rest on the paper until the chocolate sets.

Notes

You can double or triple the dough easily with a stand mixer.

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, european
Keyword: candy cane shortbread cookies, easy christmas cookies
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 133kcal
Author: Katie Shaw
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