CANDY CANE COOKIES

• ? C butter or margarine, softened
• ? C shortening
• 1 C confectioners’ sugar
• 1 egg
• 1? tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2? C flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ? tsp red food color

Heat oven to 375. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, confectioners’ sugar, egg and flavorings. Blend in flour and salt. Divide dough in half; blend food color into one half. Shape 1 tsp dough from each half into 4-inch rope. For smooth, even ropes, roll them back and forth on lightly floured board. Place ropes side by side; press together lightly and twist. Complete cookies one at a time. Place on ungreased baking sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane. Bake about 9 minutes or until set and very light brown. If you wish, mix ? C crushed peppermint candy and ? C granulated sugar. Immediately sprinkle cookies with candy mixture; remove from baking sheet.