Hey Amy!

When I was a little girl, these cookies wowed me every time Nany or my Great Aunt Helen would make them.  I never was able to grasp that they weren’t a hard candy like candy canes.  I always bit into them thinking they would crunch when they would really be soft and delicious.  Imagine my eight-year-old mind being delighted to see these treats on the cookie plate.  One summer I begged Nany to make them so I could help and learn (as well as be able to eat them!).  The humidity and heat of the summer did not allow the dough to shape properly and they were a mess.  There is a reason these are only made at Christmas.

Finally I will say that these cookies are perfect for an old-fashioned cookie exchange.  If you are not planning to attend one this year, get on the phone tonight with your girlfriends and arrange one.  It is a quick way to get a lovely assortment of cookies for your guests this month.

Ingredients:

1 c. shortening
1 c. sifted 10x sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour, sifted
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red food coloring (sometimes more depending on the richness of the red)
1/2 c. crushed peppermint candy
1/2 c. granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 375.  Mix shortening, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla thoroughly.  Mix flour and salt; stir into shortening mixture.  Divide dough in half.  Blend food coloring into one half.  Mix well so no streaks are visible.

Roll a 4 inch strip from each color.  For smooth even strips, roll them back an forth on lightly floured board.  Place strips side by side, pressing lightly together and twist like a rope.  For best results, complete cookies one at a time–if all dough of one color is shaped first, strips become too dry to twist.   I even cover the bowl when twisting.  Place on ungreased baking sheet.  Curve top down to form hook of cane.   Bake for 9 minutes until lightly browned.  While still warm, remove from baking sheet and sprinkle with mixture of crushed peppermint and sugar.

The punch of red makes these look gorgeous on a cookie plate and the sprinkling of peppermint and sugar make them sparkle!

xo–me

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