Peppermint Sticks

1. Stage

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg whites and peppermint extract and beat on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute more. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add flour mixture, beating until incorporated.

2. Stage

Transfer 1/2 cup of the dough to a medium bowl. (If using burgundy food coloring as well, divide dough into 2 bowls and add red coloring to one and burgundy to the other. Continue this step, repeating the process with each color.) Add food coloring to bowl, and mix with a spoon until dough is evenly colored. Transfer dough to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/8 round tip or a resealable bag with a corner cut off.

3. Stage

To form each cookie, use a small offset spatula to spread 2 teaspoons of the uncolored dough into a 3 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch rectangle on a prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 apart. Pipe diagonal lines of red (and burgundy, if using) dough over the rectangles to resemble candy canes.

4. Stage

Bake 1 sheet of cookies at a time until the edges are firm to the touch but have not yet taken on any golden color, 6 to 7 minutes. Working quickly, use a metal spatula to gently transfer one cookie to a flat surface. Firmly roll the cookie around the thin handle of a wooden spoon or the larger end of a chopstick, then slide cookie off and transfer to a large plate. Repeat rolling process with remaining cookies; if they become too cool and fragile for shaping, return them to the oven for 30 seconds or so to soften.

5. Stage

Repeat baking and rolling process with remaining dough. (Be sure to cool cookie sheets completely before spreading out more batches.) Set finished cookies aside to cool completely, about 15 minutes, then store in an airtight container up to 2 days. Looking for more dessert ideas? Check out our homemade chocolate chip cookie recipes, apple pie recipes, and chocolate cake recipes.