Christmas Cookie Carnival: Candy Cane Cookies

I wanted a more Christmasy looking cookie today, one that you would see and say, "Oh, look, a Christmas cookie." :)  Yesterday I got an email with a chocolate version of a candy cane cookie and I wanted to try that, but the reviews were not good at all so I searched around and found a better recipe.  This cookie does require some work and patience and honestly the end result looks great but tastes so-so...not spectacular but certainly worthy of including on a cookie platter.  It's a great cookie to go with a cup 'a. :P

Make up the simple dough, divide in half, and add red food coloring to half.

I didn't add much food coloring, I rather like the pink toned results I got.  You can now set the dough in the fridge for a while for easier handling, although I used it right away and did okay.

This is the perfect recipe for getting teenage boys involved.

You should have seen the smile on his face when I asked him to get the hammer and crush the peppermint candies. :)  You mix 1/2 cup of crushed candy with 1/2 cup sugar for sprinkling over the top of the cookies.

Now take a small amount from each bowl of dough and place on a cutting board (or whatever surface you are working on.) 

Gently roll the dough pieces back and forth with your palms/fingers until you have little "ropes."

I spooned some of the sugar/candy mixture onto my board and rolled the ropes in that as well for some.  Now put both ropes side by side and twist together.

Place on the baking sheet and bend one end around for the hook.  When they are done baking, sprinkle the candy/sugar mixture over the top.  These will be fragile until they cool, so leave them on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Pretty, aren't they?  Oh, look, a Christmas Cookie!!

Candy Cane Cookies (adapted from Allrecipes.com)

1 cup butter
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 cup crushed peppermint hard candies
1/2 cup sugar
red food coloring

Preheat oven to 375.  Mix crushed candy and 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl; set aside.  Cream butter and powdered sugar.  Add egg and extracts until smooth.  Mix in flour and salt.  Divide dough in half, and add food coloring to half.  Roll each dough into 4 inch ropes and twist together.  Place on cookie sheet and curve top down for handle of cane.  Bake for 9 to 10 minutes.  While still warm, sprinkle with candy/sugar mixture.

Parchment paper is a baker's best friend.  Your cookies will always turn out great when you use it.  You can use one sheet for a whole batch.