Well, after a nice long week off, I’m very well-rested and ready to get back to blogging! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family! We sure did! However, I’m feeling QUITE guilty about my pie-intake over the past few days…I’m not proud to admit I’ve pretty much single-handedly polished off two whole pies without help. SO, no more pie for me for awhile….I’ll just switch to cookies! 😉
I’m thrilled to say, I think I’ve just found my new favorite Christmas cookie! These are soft and chewy with the tiniest bit of crunch, and they have a delicate kiss of peppermint flavor- thus their name. They’re absolutely delicious and perfect for the holidays! But what makes these so special?? Why, the use of candy cane flour, of course! Never heard of candy cane flour? That’s because I made it up! 😉 When I was finished crushing my peppermints for the topping, I sifted out the dust (it’s a flour/powdered sugar consistency, which is why I deemed it ‘candy cane flour’) and stirred it into my flour/baking powder/salt mixture. It adds a delicate, subtle peppermint flavor without being overpowering- sometimes at Christmas, lots of “pepperminty” things tend to be a little too “pepperminty” for my taste. This was perfect. I even stirred a little of my leftover ‘candy cane flour’ in my coffee this morning! Delicious!
Peppermint Kisses
-basically just an embellished adaptation of Dorie Greenspan’s “Grandma’s All-Occasion Sugar Cookies”
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup candy cane flour**
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
crushed peppermints, for garnish (about 1/2 cup)
6 ounces (3 squares) white chocolate flavored almond bark or candy coating
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
Whisk the flour, salt, baking powder and candy cane flour together.
Working with a stand mixer, preferably one fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter at medium speed for a minute or so, until smooth. Beat in the sugar and continue to beat for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is light and pale. Add the egg and yolk and beat for another minute or two; beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and steadily add the flour mixture, mixing only until it has been incorporated. When mixed, the dough will be soft, creamy, and malleable.
Drop the dough onto the baking sheets by rounded spoonfuls.
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, rotating the sheets at the midpoint. The cookies should feel firm, but they should not color much, if at all. Cool completely.
Heat the almond bark in the microwave in 30-second intervals until melted and creamy. Drizzle over the cooled cookies (I used a ziploc bag with the tip snipped off, but you could also just drizzle with a spoon), then sprinkle with the crushed peppermints.
Makes about 40 cookies.
**Like I noted above, “candy cane flour” is just finely crushed candy canes- you can make it with your food processor or just use a hammer (or rolling pin) and a ziploc bag (which is what I did). Try it in your coffee, stir it into cookie dough, sprinkle over cakes or even dip the rim of your martini glasses in it for a festive cocktail! So fun! 🙂
Thanks to Jana, Jeff, Carol and Albert for suggesting the name of these cookies! 😉
these sound lovely. i love all things minty!
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Comment by Chris — November 30, 2010 @ 5:08 PM
Oh, I think these will be added to my Christmas Cookie list! Can’t wait to try them!
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Comment by Sheila Craft Freeman — November 30, 2010 @ 5:34 PM
I am SO making these for our cookie exchange!! 🙂 WOOHOO!! Thanks Amy!!
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Comment by Hayley — November 30, 2010 @ 11:25 PM
Candy cane flour…I love it! What a brilliant idea, and nothing goes to waste.
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Comment by Nuts about Food — December 1, 2010 @ 3:01 AM
mmmm looks good! perfect for the holidays!
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Comment by ashley — December 1, 2010 @ 1:42 PM
Dorie’s sugar cookies are my FAVORITE recipe. They are the hubby’s favorite too! And that counts for a lot seeing as that’s really the only thing he eats that I bake. DOH!
Nice embellishments though! They are so festive!!
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Comment by Jeannette — December 1, 2010 @ 1:56 PM
These look AMAZING! Adding them to my “to do” list for Christmas. 🙂
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Comment by Amanda — December 1, 2010 @ 2:06 PM
Amy, these are adorable! I love the candy cane flour idea! So creative.
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Comment by delishliving — December 1, 2010 @ 3:25 PM
[…] Peppermint Kisses […]
Pingback by Cookies | Kelly family eats — December 1, 2010 @ 4:38 PM
I wouldn’t mind turning down a good slice of pie for these! They look wonderful.
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Comment by Eliana — December 1, 2010 @ 6:22 PM
I’m impressed Amy, what a fun, creative idea with the candy cane flour 🙂 These look terrific and so perfectly festive.
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Comment by Tracey — December 1, 2010 @ 7:53 PM
Everything about these cookies make me happy! Definitely adding to my list!
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Comment by Holly. — December 1, 2010 @ 9:44 PM
Your candy cane flour idea is the most original holiday idea ever!! Love it…and I will making it ASAP!! (and the cookies!)
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Comment by Brenda — December 1, 2010 @ 9:52 PM
These are mouth watering! The perfect goodie to get me in the holiday spirit too. Lovely photos
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Comment by Trish — December 2, 2010 @ 1:58 PM
What a stunning holiday recipe! Would you like to submit it to my contest to win a cookbook? Just wanting to share the holiday cheer (and exposure to your blog) Would love for you to win 🙂 http://ow.ly/3j61M
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Comment by Melody Fury — December 3, 2010 @ 2:25 PM
Thanks for the recipe – I made these yesterday and they were delicious!!
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amy Reply:
December 5th, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Angie- you’re so welcome!! I’m so happy you enjoyed them! Happy holidays!
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Comment by Angie — December 5, 2010 @ 12:40 PM
These are so cute and look delicious!
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Comment by Elizabeth — December 5, 2010 @ 5:04 PM
I am making these right now! I love the “candy cane flour”. I made some extra to add to coffee and hot chocolate. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
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amy Reply:
December 11th, 2010 at 10:58 PM
You’re so welcome, Sarah! Hope you enjoy!!!
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Comment by Sarah — December 11, 2010 @ 6:41 PM
oh dear god, I made these and now I am hooked! Is it possible to bless and curse somebody in the same sentence? Anyways, I made a few alterations if you want to hear about them… I used the chocolate mint candy canes and added a packet of rich hot chocolate to the flour. Instead of white chocolate on top, before I baked them I rolled the top in more crushed up candy canes, and it made this WONDERFUL glaze type thing… yummmm! if they have to roll me out of my house it is going to be because of this blog!
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Comment by Erin — December 14, 2010 @ 4:40 AM
Erin- I’m so happy you enjoyed these and your alterations sound fantastic! Great ideas! Merry Christmas!!
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Comment by amy — December 14, 2010 @ 10:35 AM
Just this morning I made these cookies and I liked them so much went ahead and baked another batch. WOW these cookies are so good. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe.
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amy Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 4:08 PM
So glad to hear it, Cheryl! Thank you and merry Christmas!
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Comment by Cheryl — December 16, 2010 @ 2:10 PM
I made these for Christmas and they came out great! Everyone loved them! Thank you so much for sharing! : )
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Comment by Megan — December 29, 2010 @ 12:55 PM
Oh good, Megan! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them!! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!
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Comment by amy — December 29, 2010 @ 1:20 PM
[…] Peppermint Kisses From Sing For Your Supper […]
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