With cool mint flavor and a festive look, these whimsical creations will make you feel like you're in the North pole. The chilled dough is easy to shape, too. —Nancy Knapke, Fort Recovery, Ohio
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons mint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 drops red food coloring
12 drops green food coloring
1-1/2 cups white baking chips
Crushed mint candies
Instructions
1In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
2Set aside half the dough. Divide remaining dough in half; add green food coloring to 1 portion and red food coloring to the other. Cover dough separately. Refrigerate until easy to handle, 1-2 hours.
3Preheat oven to 350°. Divide green and red dough into 24 portions each. Divide plain dough into 48 portions. Roll each into a 4-in. rope. Place each green rope next to a white rope; press together gently and twist. Repeat with red ropes and remaining white ropes. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4Bake until set, 10-12 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before carefully removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
5In a microwave, melt white chips; stir until smooth. Dip cookie ends into melted chips; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle with crushed candies and place on waxed paper. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.
