1 c. soft shortening, 1/2 butter
1 c. sifted confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 tsp. almond flavoring
1 egg
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. red color
1 tsp. salt

Heat oven to 375 degrees, quick moderate. Mix well shortening, sugar, egg, flavorings. Mix flour, salt and stir in. Divide dough in half. Blend red color into 1/2. Roll 1 teaspoon of 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 9 minutes or until lightly brown. Remove while still warm. Sprinkle with mixture of 1/2 cup of crushed peppermint stick candy and 1/2 cup of sugar. Success tip: Make complete cookies one at a time. If all the dough of 1 color is shaped first the little rolls become too dry to twist.