Candy Cane Cookies

What could be more festive than cookies at Christmas shaped like candy canes and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy?! Another holiday tradition...(Prep time includes time to roll and shape cookies)

• Ready In: 1 hr 9 mins
• Yields: 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine, softened
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1  cup powdered sugar
• 1  large egg
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  almond extract
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  red food coloring
• 1⁄2 cup  crushed  peppermint candy (like candy canes!)
• 1⁄2 cup white sugar

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°.
2. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, powdered sugar, egg and flavorings.
3. Blend in flour and salt.
4. Divide dough in half; blend in red food coloring into one half.
5. Shape one teaspoon dough from each half into 4 inch rope.
6. For smooth, even ropes, roll them back and forth on lightly floured board.
7. Place ropes side-by-side.
8. Press together lightly and twist.
9. Complete cookies one at a time.
10. Place on ungreased baking sheet.
11. Curve top down to from handle of cane.
12. Bake about 9 minutes or until set and very light brown.
13. Mix crushed candy and granulated sugar.
14. Immediately sprinkle warm cookies with candy mixture; remove from baking sheet.