Candy Cane Cookies

By kelseyll

Ingredients

• Candy topping:
• I usually DOUBLE this recipe!!
• 1/2 c. butter, softened
• 1/2 c. vegetable shortening
• 2 c. confectioner's sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp red food color
• 1/2 c. crushed peppermint candy
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 375. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, powdered sugar, egg, almond and vanilla flavorings. Blend in flour and salt. Divide dough in half. Blend food coloring into half of the dough until desired color is reached.

Shape 1 teaspoon of dough from each half into a 4" rope. For smooth, even ropes, roll them back and forth on lightly floured board. Place ropes side by side, press together and twist. Complete all cookies at once. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Curve top down to form hook of candy cane.

Bake about 9 minutes or until set and very light brown. Mix crushed candy and granulated sugar. Immediately sprinkle hot cookies with candy topping and remove from the baking sheet.

Yield: about 4 dozen cookies