Peppermint-Flavored Candy-Cane Cookies

Peppermint-Flavored Candy-Cane Cookies
Cool and refreshing.

1¼ cups margarine
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
Pinch of red food coloring

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a baking sheet.
3. Beat together margarine and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
4. Mix in vanilla, salt, and egg. On low speed, beat in flour ½ cup at a time, until dough forms.
5. Shape dough into a ball and divide in half.
6. In a small bowl, mix red food coloring and peppermint extract.
7. Knead food coloring mixture into one half of dough.
8. With lightly floured hands, roll 1 teaspoon of plain dough into a 4” rope.
9. Repeat rolling process with red dough. Braid ropes together and shape as a candy cane. Pinch
ends together to seal.
10. Repeat with remaining dough.
11. Place cookies at least 1” apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake in batches for 10 minutes, or
until golden brown.
12. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack to cool. Let stand until cool (about 20 minutes).