Candy Cane Cookies

Mix well: shortening, confectioners' sugar, egg, flavorings. Add flour and salt. Divide dough in half. Blend red food coloring into one half.

Roll 1 teaspoon of each color dough on lightly floured board into a strip about 4" long. (Roll strips with your hand like you used to roll play dough or clay into "worms.") Place one red and one white strip side by side, press lightly together and twist like a rope. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Curve top down for handle of cane. [Success tip: Make complete cookies one at a time. If all the dough of one color is shaped first, the little "worms" become too dry to twist.]

Bake 9 minutes at 375°, or until lightly browned. Remove while still warm and sprinkle with mixture of crushed peppermint candy and granulated sugar. Makes about 4 dozen.

— MLP