These cookies were a family favorite during my growing-up years. They're fun to make with kids (and even more fun to eat). I hope you enjoy them as much as you enjoy stitching your Candy Cane Lane Bench Pillow!
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red food coloring
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy (take a big peppermint stick, place in a plastic bag wrapped in a towel, and hit with a hammer)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, shortening, powdered sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla.
- Blend in flour and salt.
- Divide dough in half and blend food coloring into one half (half of dough will be red, half white)
Take 1 tsp. size dough from red half and shape into 4-inch ropes (For smooth, even ropes, roll them back and forth on a lightly floured board.) - Repeat with white dough, shaping into 4-inch ropes.
- Place one red and one white rope side by side, press together, and twist.
- Place on ungreased baking sheet. Curve top down to form handle of candy cane.
- Bake 9 minutes at 375 degrees or until lightly brown. (Take out when even just a tiny bit brown so they don't overcook.)
- Mix crushed peppermint candy and granulated sugar together. After removing cookies from oven, immediately sprinkle cookies with candy mixture. (If cookies cool, the candy won't stick.)
- Let cookies remain on sheet for about one minute before removing.
- Remove from baking sheet very carefully with spatula.
Yield: 2 1/2 dozen
