Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies

Nothing says Christmas like candy cane cookies. Fun to make and delicious to eat!

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp red food coloring

Instructions

Put butter, sugar, peppermint extract, vanilla, baking powder and salt in mixing bowl. Beat until a paste forms and clings to the sides of the bowl.
Scrape down the bowl and add the egg. Beat until combined. Add flour and beat until just combined.
Remove the dough from the bowl and divide the dough in half. Return half to the mixing bowl. Add red food coloring and mix to combine.

Wrap each color of dough separately in waxed paper and place in refrigerator. Chill for 3 hours.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Allow dough to warm a bit at room temperature until it is easy to handle.  Pinch off 1-inch pieces of dough and roll into a 5-inch rope. Repeat for the other color. Lay the pieces side by side and twist. Curve the top into a candy cane shape and place on cookie sheet.

Space cookies 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 10 - 11 minutes.  Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.