Holiday Cookie Swap 3

Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop

(really it's a linky party)

(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)

Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.

Here is the line up:

Sweet Boutique    November 20

The Domesticated Princess    November 27

Michelle's Tasty Creations    December 4

Living, Loving, Crafting    December 11

Make sure you come back each week for a great new cookie recipe, plus each blog will be featuring their own favorite cookie links from the party!

Today's recipe is one I've been making for years that I originally got from my friend Traci.  

When the kiddos were little we used to get together during the holidays and make all kinds of cookies and baked goods.  Now as we are all getting a little (and I mean teeny) bit older we don't seem to have as much time to get together anymore other than the occasional lunch .  But I still always make the Candy Cane Cookies that Traci taught me each year at Christmas.  

Here is the usually reaction I get from people who haven't ever tried peppermint cookies.  "Peppermint?  In a cookie?  That's kinda strange."  But let me reassure you the end result is always the same "Wow!  Those are the best cookies ever!"

So give these cookies a try this year and maybe they'll become a regular addition to your holiday cookie baking too.

Here's what you need:

1 cup margarine

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract ( I use a 1/2 tsp. but the original recipe calls for 1/4 tsp.  It will be really strong smelling until after baking)

red food coloring (about 15 drops)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer or medium bowl, cream together margarine, sugar, vanilla and egg.  

Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing until incorporated.  The dough will be a little stiff.  

Place 1/2 the dough in a separate bowl and set aside.  Add about 15 drops of red food coloring to the dough still in the mixer to tint.  Mix until the dough is a nice red color.  It will be on the slightly pink side.

 

With lightly floured fingertips pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a small walnut and roll in a long rope about 6 or 7" long and the width of a wooden spoon handle or skinny finger, about 1/2". Repeat with the other color.  Press both colors together lightly along the whole rope then twist together and shape into a candy cane shape. If they break just press them back together.  I only had this happen on a few.

 

Bake for 10 minutes.  You don't want them to brown.  Let cook on tray a couple of minutes then move to a cooling rack.  These cookies can also be marbled and made into round cookies.

Serves - approximately 36

Enjoy!

Here's the handy printable - Candy Cane Cookies

So far we have had a wonderful amount of scrumptious looking cookies that I can't wait to try for Christmas this year!

Here is the cookie that caught my eye this week!

Worth Pinning has the right idea with a mint cookie at Christmas time!  How festive!

Since each of the four co-hosts pick their own feature of the week, be sure to stop by each blog and check out their weekly pick.

Don't forget to grab a button if you were featured!

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On to the party!

Please follow all four co-hosts.

This linky is for COOKIE RECIPE posts only, please!

Link up as many times as you want!  

This is a month long party so keep coming back for more recipes and features! 

 Each blog will be featuring their favorite links each week! 

(Make sure you get a button if you have been featured.)