One of the most common traditions at the holidays is baking cookies. Chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, and gingerbread cookies are all baked with love and loved ones around the world during this time of year.

My family loves to participate in this tradition. We always seem to bake hundreds of holiday themed cookies. However a common favorite in our family is our candy cane cookies.

For this recipe you will need:

1 cup of butter (Cubed and softened) 

1 cup of powdered sugar

1 egg

2 teaspoons of almond extract 

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 1/2 cups of flour

1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract 

1/4 cup of sugar 

Crushed candy canes 

Red food coloring

Steps:

1: In a bowl mix butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.

2: Add in the egg, almond extract, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until well combined.

3: Add in the flour in three intervals. Mix until combined

4: Divide your dough in half and place one in the fridge.

5: With your other half of dough add in red food coloring and peppermint. Stir until well combined. (Note: the more food coloring you add, the more bitter your doe will, try not to add too much. It’s okay if your dough is more pink then red.)

6: Keep both dough separated and put in the fridge for 30 minutes.

7: Once your dough is done cooling preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

8: Lightly flour a surface  and get out your dough. Get a piece of dough from each half and roll into a small ball. Turn that ball into 4 inches long  horizontally. Place both dough together and twist both into a candy cane shape. (Note: I’ve been baking these cookies for 14 years and I still have trouble with this part, they’re not gonna be perfect but they’ll be tasty.)

9: Bake your cookies for 10 minuets.

10: Once your cookies are done baking sprinkle your crushed candy cane on top.

11: Let the cookies cool.

12: Enjoy!