Chocolate Orange Candy Cane Cookies
These festive chocolate orange candy cane cookies are a delightful treat, combining rich chocolate with a zesty orange flavor in a fun, holiday-themed shape.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Medium bowl
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1-2 tbsp milk if needed
Orange Dough
- Orange Gel Food Coloring
- 1 tsp orange extract
- orange zest of 1/2 orange
Chocolate Dough
- Brown Gel Food Coloring
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing on low speed until just combined, adding milk if dough is too dry.
Flavoring the Dough
- Divide the dough into two equal portions.
- For the orange portion, knead in orange extract, zest, and enough orange food coloring for a vibrant color.
- For the chocolate portion, knead in cocoa powder and enough brown food coloring for a rich brown color.
Chilling and Baking
- Wrap each dough portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll small pieces of orange and chocolate dough into 4-5 inch ropes of similar length and thickness.
- Twist the two ropes together gently and then curve one end to form a candy cane shape.
- Place shaped cookies on prepared baking sheets, 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are just set.
- Cool cookies on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Ensure not to overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender. The chilling step is crucial for easier handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. For best results, use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering the dough consistency significantly.