1 cup (2 sticks) butter or shortening
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. almond flavoring
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red food coloring

PEPPERMINT SUGAR:

1/2 cup crushed peppermint stick candy
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Mix well butter, sugar, egg and flavorings. Mix flour, salt and stir in.

Divide dough in half. Blend red food coloring into one half. Roll 1 teaspoon each color dough on lightly floured board into a strip about 4-inches long. Place strips side by side, press lightly together and twist like a rope. Put on ungreased baking sheet. Curve top down for handle of cane.

Bake at 375°F for 9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove while still warm, sprinkle with mixture of 1/2 cup crushed peppermint stick candy and 1/2 cup sugar.

Makes about 4 dozen.

Success Tips: Make complete cookies one at a time. If all the dough of one color is shaped first, the little rolls will become too dry to twist.

Submitted by: Renee Porter