A baking we will go...

OK, so the Spin Cycle assignment from Jen at Sprite's Keeper this week is baking for Christmas. I try to do this but getting in gear is hard. It's easier now that I have a stand mixer, I'm not big on hand mixing cookies, I always leave stuff unmixed at the bottom of the bowl. It's better now that the mixer mixes for me.

Chocolate chip have been requested this year by Nick, and Turbo wants to make Candy Cane Cookies. He got to help last year by rolling them into ropes. They didn't turn out half bad. They really need to wait a day or so before being eaten cause they taste better then. I also need to make brownies, but I'm sworn to secrecy on those because they come from Nick's dad who makes the best brownies ever. They always work even at our high altitude(7200 feet, I'm not kidding).

Any way the recipe I am going to post is the Candy Cane Cookies. They look festive when they are done and very good this time of year.

So here goes:

Candy Cane Cookies

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red food coloring

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, powdered sugar, egg and flavorings. Blend in flour and salt. Divide dough in half; blend food coloring into one half of the dough.

Shape 1 tsp dough from each half of the dough into a 4 inch rope. For smooth even ropes, roll them back and forth on a lightly floured surface. Place ropes side by side, press together lightly and twist. Complete cookies one at a time. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, turning one end to form the handle of the cane.

Bake, about 9 minutes or until set and very light brown. If you wish mix up 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Sprinkle the cookies with this mixture immediately upon removing from the oven then remove from the sheet. Allow to stand until completely cool as they are fragile when they are warm.

Enjoy these cookies yourself or give as gifts on a cookie tray. They also make great treats for Santa. Merry Christmas and happy baking!