Candy Cane Christmas Cookies

Candy cane cookies are one of my family’s favorite treats during the holidays! They’re easy to make and taste absolutely delicious. This year, I thought I’d share the recipe we follow, making about 4 dozen of these yummy cookies!

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup butter or margarine, softened

• ½ cup shortening

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

• 1 egg

• 1½ teaspoons almond extract

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour (If using self-rising flour, omit salt. If using quick-mixing flour, stir 2 tablespoons of milk into the butter mixture.)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon red food color

• ½ cup crushed peppermint candy

• ½ cup granulated sugar

DIRECTIONS:

STEP 1 - Heat oven to 375°

STEP 2 - Mix butter, shortening, confectioners' sugar, egg, and vanilla, and almond extract thoroughly.

STEP 3 - Blend in flour and salt.

STEP 4 - Divide dough in half; blend red food coloring into one half.

STEP 5 - Shape 1 teaspoon of dough from each half into a 4-inch rope. For smooth, even ropes, roll them back and forth on a lightly floured surface.

STEP 6 - Place ropes side by side then press them together lightly and twist, completing each cookie one at a time.

STEP 7 - Place your cookies on an ungreased baking sheet. Curve the top of each cookie down to form the handle of the cane.

STEP 8 - Bake for 9 minutes or until set and light brown.

STEP 9 - Mix crushed peppermint candy and granulated sugar.

STEP 10 - Immediately sprinkle cookies with candy mixture and remove them from the baking sheet.

That’s it! Follow this recipe and you’ll be left with wonderful Christmas cookies to share with the whole family. If you try them out, snap a photo and share the results with me online! Be sure to tag me on Instagram (@TrinaJenkins6), Twitter (@TrinaEJenkins), and Facebook (@TrinaJenkins6).