Festive Sugar Stick Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season. Imagine the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling your kitchen, as you create these charming, twirled delights that not only look impressive but are incredibly easy to make. With a sweet, buttery flavor and just a hint of mint (if you choose to add it), these cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face and warmth to your celebrations.

What You’ll Need for Festive Sugar Stick Cookies

Gather your ingredients for these scrumptious cookies. You’ll need:

250 g all-purpose flour (Type 405)
125 g cold butter, diced
100 g sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (non-alcoholic)
1/2 teaspoon mint extract (optional)
Red food coloring (gel or paste for best results)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for decoration)

How to Make Festive Sugar Stick Cookies

Creating these cookies is a fun and straightforward process. Just follow these steps for delicious results:

In a large bowl, mix the flour and sugar together.
Add the cold butter; using your fingers or a pastry blender, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles a sandy texture.
Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and optional mint extract. Knead everything together until you have a smooth dough.
Divide the dough into two halves. Wrap one half in plastic wrap. To the other half, add the red food coloring. Mix well until the color is evenly distributed. Let both halves rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 175 °C (350 °F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Shape the dough into long rolls.
Place one red roll next to a white roll, twist them gently together and shape them into a candy cane.
Coat the twisted cookies in granulated sugar and place them on the lined baking sheet.
Chill the baking sheet in the fridge for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and they seem firm.
Once baked, carefully transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely.

How to Serve Festive Sugar Stick Cookies

These cookies are perfect for a holiday gathering or a cozy night in. Here are some ideas for serving them:

Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter or a festive cookie jar for a beautiful display.
Pair them with a cup of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee for a comforting treat.
Use them as a fun addition to your holiday dessert table, mixing them with other festive treats like gingerbread and shortbread.

Expert Tips for Festive Sugar Stick Cookies

Make Ahead: You can make the dough a day in advance and keep it wrapped in the fridge. This will save you time on busy holiday days!
Creative Colors: Try using different colors for special occasions. For example, green for St. Patrick’s Day or pastel colors for spring celebrations.
Add Sprinkles: For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some colorful nonpareils on top before baking.

Festive Sugar Stick Cookies FAQs

1. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before rolling and baking.

2. What if I don’t have mint extract?
No problem! Just leave it out for a classic sugar cookie flavor or try adding a hint of almond extract instead.

3. How do I store leftover cookies?
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need to keep them longer, consider freezing them.

Try making Festive Sugar Stick Cookies this holiday season, and watch them disappear in no time! These cookies are not only easy to bake but are also a joy to share with family and friends. Happy baking!

Festive Sugar Stick Cookies

Delightful twirled cookies perfect for the holiday season with a sweet, buttery flavor and optional mint.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 40

Servings: 12 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 80

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

250 g all-purpose flour (Type 405)
125 g cold butter, diced Ensure the butter is cold for better texture.
100 g sugar
1 large egg Room temperature is best.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (non-alcoholic)
1/2 teaspoon mint extract (optional) Leave out for classic flavor or substitute with almond extract.
Red food coloring (gel or paste for best results) Adjust amount for desired color intensity.

Decoration Ingredients

2 tablespoons granulated sugar For coating the cookies.

Method

Preparation

In a large bowl, mix the flour and sugar together.
Add the cold butter; work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles a sandy texture.
Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and optional mint extract. Knead until you have a smooth dough.
Divide the dough into two halves. Wrap one half in plastic wrap and color the other half with red food coloring.
Let both halves rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Baking

Preheat your oven to 175 °C (350 °F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Shape the dough into long rolls, twist a red roll together with a white roll to form candy cane shapes.
Coat the twisted cookies in granulated sugar and place them on the baking sheet.
Chill the baking sheet in the fridge for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely.