Winter Market Peppermint Twist (Print Version)
Tender vegan cookies infused with peppermint and swirled with red and white, perfect for holidays.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
03 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
07 - 1/4 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - 1 tsp peppermint extract
→ For Swirl & Decoration
10 - Red gel food coloring (vegan-friendly)
11 - 1/3 cup crushed vegan peppermint candies or candy canes
# Step-by-step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat vegan butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in non-dairy milk, vanilla, and peppermint extracts until smooth.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until a soft, pliable dough forms.
05 - Divide dough in half. Tint one portion with red food coloring, mixing thoroughly until color is evenly distributed throughout.
06 - Pinch off 1 tsp of each dough (red and white), twist together, then roll into a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet and gently flatten. Repeat with remaining dough.
07 - Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over each cookie, pressing lightly into dough to adhere.
08 - Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain slightly soft. Cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The swirling red and white dough turns into edible holiday art that people can't believe is homemade
- That cool peppermint hit balances the sweet tender crumb in a way that feels like winter itself
02 -
- Twisting the dough too tightly will make the cookies dense, so keep the motion gentle and loose
- The food coloring intensity will bake out slightly, so go a shade darker than you think you need
03 -
- If your kitchen is warm, chill the dough for 15 minutes before shaping to prevent the red and white from blurring together
- Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for the fluffiest butter mixture, but hand mixing works too if needed