Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Candy Cane Cookies


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Well, I've finally started my Christmas Cookie baking and today's recipe is one I've been making for years that I originally got from my friend Traci.

When the kiddos were little we used to get together during the holidays and make all kinds of cookies and baked goods.  Now as we are all getting a little (and I mean teeny) bit older we don't seem to have as much time to get together anymore other than the occasional lunch .  But I still always make the Candy Cane Cookies that Traci taught me each year at Christmas. 

Here is the usually reaction I get from people who haven't ever tried peppermint cookies.  "Peppermint?  In a cookie?  That's kinda strange."  But let me reassure you the end result is always the same "Wow!  Those are the best cookies ever!"

So give these cookies a try this year and maybe they'll become a regular addition to your holiday cookie baking too.

Here's what you need:

1 cup margarine or Butter flavored Crisco
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract ( I use a 1/2 tsp. but the original recipe calls for 1/4 tsp.  It will be really strong smelling until after baking)
red food coloring (about 15 drops)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

In a bowl mix the flour and baking powder and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer or medium bowl, cream together margarine, sugar.

Add the egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract.

Add flour mixture 1 cup at a time, mixing until incorporated.  The dough will be a little stiff. 

Place 1/2 the dough in a separate bowl and set aside.  Add about 15 drops of red food coloring to the dough still in the mixer to tint.  Mix until the dough is a nice red color.  It will be on the slightly pink side.
 
With lightly floured fingertips pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a small walnut and roll in a long rope about 6 or 7" long and the width of a wooden spoon handle or skinny finger, about 1/2". Repeat with the other color.  
 
Press both colors together lightly along the whole rope then twist together and shape into a candy cane shape. If they break just press them back together.  I only had this happen on a few.
 
Bake for 10 minutes.  You don't want them to brown.  Let cook on tray a couple of minutes then move to a cooling rack.  These cookies can also be marbled and made into round cookies.
Serves - approximately 36

Enjoy!
Here's the handy printable - Candy Cane Cookies

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3 comments:

  1. These are super cute! I bet kids would love them too.

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  2. My mom made this recipe for years. I am going to be blogging about my version next week :o) These are one of my favorite cookieS!

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  3. Hi Michelle,
    I don't bake many cookies but I have been making candy cane cookies since I was a little girl. My Italian grandmother taught me and we actually flavor them with almond extract which is a very common flavor for Italian cookies. I will pin your recipe love to see others making them too.

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