Peppermint Stick Cookies

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at www.tasteofhome.com

I tore this recipe out of a magazine many years ago.  With their cool mint flavor and festive look, these whimsical creations will make you feel like you’re at the North Pole.  The chilled dough is easy to shape, too.

Nancy Knapke                                                                                   Fort Recovery, Ohio

Peppermint Stick Cookies Recipe

Peppermint Stick Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tsp. mint extract

½ tsp. vanilla

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp. salt

12 drops red food coloring

12 drops green food coloring

1 ½ cups white baking chips

Crushed mint candy

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and extracts.  Combine flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Set aside half of the dough.  Divide remaining dough half; add green food coloring to one portion and red food coloring to the other.  Wrap dough separately in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until easy to handle.

Divide green and red dough into 24 portions each.  Roll Divide plain dough into 48 portions.  Roll each into a 4 inch rope.  Place each green rope next to white rope; press together gently and twist.  Repeat with red ropes and remaining white ropes.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 350 F. for 10-12 minutes or until set.  Cool for 2 minutes before carefully removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

In a microwave, melt white chips; stir until smooth.  Dip cookie ends into melted chips; allow excess to drip off.  Sprinkle with crushed candies and place on waxed paper.  Let stand until set.  Store in an airtight container.

(Recipe for Peppermint Stick Cookies was in Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies & Candies, December 31, 2012 issue)

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