Jazz up your normal sugar cookie by adding in peppermint extract and crushed peppermint pieces. Your family and friends will be impressed and the cute candy cane shape is an eye-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

• 1 egg

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon red food color

• 2 tablespoons peppermint candies, finely crushed

• 2 tablespoons sugar

Combine 1 cup sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, peppermint extract and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.

Divide dough in half. Stir food color into one half. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours.

Heat oven to 375 F. Stir together peppermint candy and 2 tablespoon sugar; set aside.

For each candy cane, shape 1 rounded teaspoon dough from both the red and white dough into 4-inch ropes by rolling back and forth on lightly floured surface. Place 1 red and white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until set.