Candy Cane Cookies

This is another cookie from my favorite cookie book! (P. 74) 

My grandma (the best cook EVER) even commended me on how well these came out! It was a HUGE compliment! 

The directions on this cookie were a little funky. I think I was actually supposed to save the candy cane/sugar mix to scatter on the end..but I mixed it in the dough...Next time I will try it the right way!

Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients:

* 1/3 cup finely crushed peppermit candy

* 1/3 cup sugar

* 1/2 cup shortening

* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

* 1 cup sifted powdered sugar

* 1 egg, slightly beaten

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* 1 teaspoon almond extract

* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

* 1 teaspoon salt

* 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

Directions:

1. Combine candy and sugar and set aside.

2. Cream shortening and butter in a large mixing bowl.

3. Gradually add 1 c. powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.

4. Add egg, beat well. Stir in flavorings (I'm assuming this means extracts, but I added extracts AND candy..only add extracts!). Add flour and salt; mix well.

5. Divide dough in half. Tint half with food coloring. Shape a pinch of each into logs and then twist together.

(Flour helps during this process--but because I added the sugary mixture, the dough kept falling apart, so I gave up and did 2 balls of each color) Place cookies on an UNGREASED cookie sheet.

6. Bake at 375 for 9 minutes or just until edges brown. Remove cookies from sheets while warm; immediately coat with candy mixture (yea..this is when I was like, oops!). Cool completely on wire racks.

Yield: 4 dozen