It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like....

CHRISTMAS!
Over the past several weeks, I have been shopping, baking, wrapping and trying to squeeze in holiday festivities. With my mom hosting Christmas day this year, I (along with my niece and nephew) have been pitching in with the baking. And, apparently, one of the cookies they helped me with last year - Candy Cane Cookies - were such a big hit, that they asked to make them again this year. That being said, after searching for the final ingredient - peppermint extract - we were all set. Below is the recipe and photos of the final products! They are so cute and festive!

Candy Cane Cookies

(courtesy of Betty Crocker website)

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/candy-cane-cookies/93832e29-3b4f-4977-ae5a-9820053b254c

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon peppermint extract (we used almond extract in 2009, but you can also use mint)
1 egg
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red food color
2 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:
1. Stir together one cup sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, peppermint extract and egg in a large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half. Stir food color into one half. Cover and refrigerate at least four hours (overnight also works - the dough needs to be hard enough to twist - if it's too soft, it will break apart).

2. Heat oven to 375ºF.
3. Stir together peppermint candy and two tablespoons of sugar; set aside.
4. For each candy cane, shape one rounded teaspoon of dough from each half into a four-inch rope by rolling back and forth on floured surface. Place one red and white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist (try not to use your fingertips!). Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and curve the top of the cookie down to form handle of cane.
5. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until set and very light brown. Immediately sprinkle candy mixture over cookies. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Just a sample of the candy cane cookies...Joseph was such a great help, especially sprinkling the topping of sugar and crushed peppermint on top of each cookie!

 But nothing compares to the real thing even though Joseph isn't the biggest fan of 'regular' peppermint canes.