Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup crushed candy canes
- 1 cup white chocolate chips, plus more for dotting on the tops
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your cookie sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step aerates the dough and gives the cookies a tender texture. It usually takes about 2 minutes—don’t skip it!
- Add the extracts and eggs: Mix in the vanilla and peppermint extracts. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. The dough should look glossy and well-combined.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients: Turn your mixer to low and gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt. You’re looking for a dough that holds together but isn’t overly sticky. If it’s sticking to your fingers, add a bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- Fold in the goodies: Gently stir in the crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips. This is where the magic happens! Be careful not to overmix—you want those peppermint chunks to stay intact.
- Scoop and shape: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form dough balls about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons in size. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Bake to perfection: Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until the tops look set. The cookies will continue to bake on the sheet as they cool, so don’t overdo it. For that bakery-style look, press a few extra white chocolate chips onto the tops of the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Try not to eat them all at once (no judgment if you do, though)!
Notes
How to serve and impress your guests
For a cozy presentation, arrange these cookies on a platter with candy canes and a bowl of white chocolate dip. Or, for a more festive twist, drizzle them with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes before serving. Pair with a mug of peppermint hot chocolate, and you’re basically Santa’s favorite baker.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert