Candy Cane Cookies

These are one of my personal favorite Christmas cookies (they're also the most labor intensive ones I do, so don't worry it's all downhill from here :)). I think they just look so festive, and the kids love to help with these.

 

Candy Cane Cookies

1 c. margarine, softened
1 c. icing sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. almond flavoring
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. peppermint flavoring
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. liquid red food coloring (instead I like to use a squirt of my gel food coloring)

Beat first 6 ingredients in a bowl until light and creamy. Combine flour, baking powder and salt, then add to margarine mixture. Stir until stiff dough forms. Divide into 2 equal portions.
Knead food coloring into 1 portion of the dough until evenly tinted.
Roll about 1 tsp. of each color of dough into a 5 1/2 cm rope.

Lay side by side. Pinch ends together, twist and form into candy cane shape.

Arrange on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, until just golden. Let sit for 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheet to cool completely.