1. Parenting & Family

Candy Cane Cookies

From , former About.com Guide

These candy cane cookies are festive and make nice gifts for your child's teacher or for your friends.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes

Total Time: 29 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons almond flavoring
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Cream the shortening and butter; mix in sugar, egg, almond and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt and add to shortening mixture. Divide dough in half.

Blend red food coloring into one half. Roll 1 teaspoon of the red dough and 1 teaspoon of the white dough on lightly floured board into 4 inch strips. Place strips side by side and press lightly together and twist. Curve top of rope down to look like the handle of a candy cane. (NOTE: Make one complete cookie at a time. If the dough of one color is shaped first, the rolls will become too dry to twist.)

Bake 9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove while still warm. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup crushed peppermint stick candy and 1/2 cup sugar (optional).
Makes 2 dozen

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.