Today is the family baking day. It should be filled with fun, laughter, and good memories. Yet our baking days historically do not usually end up that way. Trying to be optimistic I am hoping this year’s baking day goes much more smoothly than last year. Time will tell.

For the moment, before the flour starts flying, my friend Deb is hosting a cookie exchange, so here is my cookie recipe:

Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sifted confectioners sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring OR 3/4 teaspoon peppermint flavoring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
1/2 cup white sugar

Preheat oven to 375 F. Mix butter sugar, egg, and flavorings thoroughly. Add flour and salt, Mix well. Shape dough into a disk and wrap with plastic wrap; chill for at least 2 hours or until easy to handle. Roll into 4 inch strips; place on baking sheet. Curve top down to form handle or cane. Bake 9 minutes. While still warm, remove from pan and sprinkle with candy and sugar mixture.

Dough may be divided in half and colored with 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring if desired. Roll each color into strips, place side by side, press together lightly and twist like a rope.

I will update how our family baking day goes later today, however it is not looking good.