Red Hot Cinnamon Cookies

Chewy spicy and glowing with cinnamon heat Red Hot Cookies will light up any holiday platter and are an absolute dream for cinnamon candy fans. Born from my need to use up a jar of red hot candies after Christmas these chewy cookies became such a hit that my family now begs for them at every winter gathering. If you want a playful twist on classic sugar cookies that delivers bold color and unique flavor this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

I first made these on a whim when my daughter spotted leftover candies and now they have earned a permanent spot in our holiday cookie box. The crunch and chew of melted candies is so addictive.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Start with softened butter for even mixing and smooth dough Use good quality butter for flavor
• Egg yolks: These boost chewiness and richness in the cookies Save the whites for another use
• Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the richest flavor Homemade vanilla adds great depth
• All purpose flour: Be careful to spoon and level the flour into your measuring cup Avoid packing it down
• Red hot candies: The star of the show These bring the heat color and extra chew Crush your candies before use A rolling pin and zip bag work best

Instructions

Prepare the Candies:

Place the red hot candies in a sturdy zip top bag and crush with a rolling pin until you have small chunky pieces You want pieces small enough to mix evenly but still visible in the dough

Cream the Butter and Sugar:

Beat softened unsalted butter with sugar in a mixing bowl on medium speed for two to three minutes until airy and pale This ensures every bite is tender and flavorful

Add Yolks and Vanilla:

Mix in egg yolks and real vanilla extract Beat until the mixture is fully combined and looks glossy Scrape down the sides to make sure nothing is missed

Blend in Dry Ingredients:

Gradually spoon in all purpose flour Mixing on low Blend just until a crumbly dough forms It will look dry at this stage

Bring Dough Together:

Keep mixing and eventually the dough will come together into a smooth ball It may take a minute more than other cookie doughs but be patient and it will work

Fold in Crushed Red Hots:

Use a spatula or clean hands to fold the crushed red hot candies into the dough Distribute them evenly so every cookie has bursts of candy

Shape and Bake:

Scoop cookie dough balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet Gently tap the tops of each one with your fingertips just to flatten slightly This helps them bake evenly and prevents stickiness Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit about 10 to 12 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden

Cool Completely:

Let cookies cool on the pan for five minutes Move to a parchment lined wire rack The parchment keeps melted candy from sticking

Red hot candies not only bring spice they melt into chewy little treasures in each cookie My nieces always try to pick out the pieces with the biggest red hot burst and it always leads to lots of laughs and sticky fingers at family gatherings

Storage Tips

Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature They stay chewy for about a week For longer storage freeze baked cookies in a tightly sealed bag Lay parchment between layers to keep them from sticking Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have red hot candies try cinnamon imperials or another small cinnamon candy for a similar result You can swap unsalted butter with salted but remember to reduce added salt in the recipe Vanilla paste gives even bigger vanilla flavor For a gluten free batch use a one for one gluten free flour blend

Serving Suggestions

Red Hot Cookies are especially fun for holiday trays Valentine’s Day or bake sales Stack them high on a platter for a burst of color Pair with black coffee or chai tea The sweet heat plays well with rich creamy drinks For a festive look sandwich two cookies with a little vanilla buttercream between

Cultural and Historical Context

Cinnamon candies have a long tradition of both holiday baking and sweet shop nostalgia By folding red hots into cookies you bring an old fashioned impulse into a modern easy cookie I love how this recipe bridges classic candy and homemade treat

Seasonal Adaptations

Add sparkly red and pink sprinkles for a Valentine’s twist Fold in white chocolate chips for creamy contrast Stir in a pinch of ground cinnamon for even more flavor depth

Success Stories

My neighbor tried these cookies with crushed fireball candies and said they were a surprise hit at her adult party I have brought these to school cookie swaps and there were never any leftovers Just a tray of crumbs every time

Freezer Meal Conversion

To freeze dough scoop into balls and freeze raw on a baking sheet Once solid transfer to a freezer bag Bake straight from the freezer adding two extra minutes to baking time They bake up just as chewy as fresh

I have learned the hard way that firm cookie dough and using parchment make all the difference for these cookies Sticky sheet pans are no fun Cleanup is a breeze and you get gorgeous cookies every time

Common Questions About Recipes

→ What type of cinnamon candy works best?

Classic red hot candies are ideal as they melt slightly and infuse the dough with spicy cinnamon flavor.

→ Can I use a whole egg instead of yolks?

Egg yolks add chewiness, but a whole egg can be substituted for a softer texture.

→ How should the dough feel when mixed?

The dough may seem dry and crumbly at first but comes together into a smooth ball with thorough mixing.

→ What’s the best way to crush the candies?

Place the red hot candies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin for best results.

→ How to store these cookies for freshness?

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for longer freshness.