candy cane cookies

I haven't done much in the way of baking this December because we're having a big family party next week and I want everything to be fresh.  But I got a request for some candy cane shaped cookies that I haven't made for several years so I busted out the cookie sheets and did a little pre-holiday baking.

Candy Cane Cookies

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

(shifted)

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup of powdered sugar

(shifted)

2 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of almond extract

(I thing pure vanilla and almond extract is better than imitation but it's your choice)

1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

(you can substitute peppermint extract in place of almond for a real candy cane taste 

but I had a specific request for almond flavor)

Directions

in one bowl, cream together butter and shifted powdered sugar

add egg yolks, vanilla and almond extract and blend

shift flour in a separate bowl with salt

add flour to creamed butter and sugar mixture a little at a time

when completely mixed divide dough in half

shape half in disc shape, put in wax paper and refrigerate

put red food coloring in second half of dough remaining in the bowl and blend together until

the color is uniform

shape dough in a disc, put in wax paper and refrigerate

after 30 minutes the dough should be cold enough to work with

take a tablespoon of each dough and roll in a long strands

twist strands together 

shape into a candy cane shape and cut off each end with a knife for a straight edge

place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat

after making enough candy canes to fill a cookie sheet

put the cookie sheet in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes until they firm up a bit

place cookies in oven for 8 to 10 minutes

the cookies should be slightly golden on the ends

take out and let cool on the pan for about 10 minutes to set before plating or packaging them

some for us

and some to share

okay Kim, come get them

:-)

Joining The Larson Lingo for her 12.12.12 cookie exchange

drop by to visit her blog and try out a few of the great cookie

recipes this year

also check out her etsy shop

she designs really great announcements and invitations 

Happy Baking