Peppermint Drops Food

PEPPERMINT DROPS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.
• Beat in remaining ingredients except food coloring. if your food coloring comes in a dropper - do 4 drops. Mix just until the dough has red swirls - then STOP.
• Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten slightly.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until bottoms start to turn light brown.
• Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.
• If desired, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate and place on waxed paper to dry.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT DROPS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place one-third of the white chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted. Set aside to cool slightly. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the melted white chocolate until smooth, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in 2 batches and beat until combined. Beat in half of the remaining chopped white chocolate. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake the cookies, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until the edges are slightly golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool 3 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Make the glaze: Microwave the remaining chopped white chocolate (you can use the same bowl as before) in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted; stir in the heavy cream, and peppermint extract to taste. Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze and return to the rack. Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and let set, about 1 hour.
• Photograph by Johnny Miller

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT DROPS

Steps:

• Combine margarine, sugars, extracts and eggs in a large bowl; mix well.
• Add remaining ingredients except candy canes; blend well.
• Chill for 15 minutes, or until dough is easy to handle.
• Roll well-rounded teaspoons of dough into balls; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 11 to 13 minutes, or until cookies are puffed and centers are set.
• Remove from oven; with back of a spoon, immediately and gently make a well in center of cookies. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of crushed candy into well.
• Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes before removing from baking sheet.