# What You’ll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
→ Coloring
09 - Red gel food coloring
→ Garnish (optional)
10 - 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
02 - Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
05 - Divide dough into two equal portions. Add red gel food coloring to one portion and knead until evenly colored; leave the other portion plain.
06 - Shape each dough half into a rectangle, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
07 - Roll each dough portion between sheets of parchment paper to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
08 - Place the colored dough atop the plain dough, remove the top parchment, and gently press together. Starting from a long edge, roll tightly into a log. Wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes until firm.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
10 - Cut the chilled dough log into 1/4-inch-thick slices and place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
11 - Optionally, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over each slice.
12 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and cookies lose their shine.
13 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
