Peppermint Twist Kisses Food

PEPPERMINT TWIST KISSES

Steps:

• Freeze kisses in a covered container for at least 1 hour. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and extracts. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture., Divide dough in half; tint one portion red. Divide each half into four portions and shape into 9-in. long rolls. Place one red log next to one white log; twist gently to create one swirled roll. Roll gently until it becomes one log. Repeat with remaining dough. Wrap logs in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour or until firm., Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap dough. Cut each log crosswise into nine slices; shape each slice into a ball. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with a glass., Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Immediately press a kiss into center of each cookie. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Freeze option: Freeze cookies, layered between waxed paper, in freezer containers. To use, thaw before serving.

PEPPERMINT TWISTS

Steps:

• Shape cookie mix into 3/4-in. balls. Roll each ball into a 6-in. rope. Bend the rope in half and twist twice. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and extract; drizzle over cookies. Sprinkle with colored sugar.

PEPPERMINT MERINGUE KISSES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a food processor, pulse the sugar until finely ground and transfer to a bowl. Pulse the peppermint candies until finely chopped; transfer to a measuring cup. Return any large pieces to the processor and pulse a few more times. You should have a scant 1/2 cup crushed candy.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tarter on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add the sguar and continue beating until the whites for stiff glossy peaks. Fold in the crushed peppermints. Drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls about 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
• Bake the cookies for 25 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees and bake for 25 minutes longer. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

PEPPERMINT MERINGUE KISSES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 175 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; do not use a silicone liner.
• Sift the confectioners' sugar twice to remove any lumps. Divide the sifted sugar in half.
• Beat the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer or hand-held mixer on medium speed until frothy, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat to form soft peaks. With the motor running, gradually add half of the sifted confectioners' sugar; beat to form firm peaks. Add the peppermint extract and beat just to combine. Remove bowl from the mixer.
• Sift the remaining sugar (yes, one more time) into the egg white mixture. Gently fold it in to form a batter that can hold its shape.
• The cookies can be dropped by spoonful onto the baking sheet. Or, transfer the batter to a pastry bag or resealable plastic food storage bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe kisses that are about 1 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch high onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheets, spacing them at least 1/2 inch apart.
• Sprinkle the finely chopped or crushed candies evenly over the meringue kisses.
• Bake for about 3 hours, until dry and crisp. Turn off the oven; let the kisses remain in the oven for 1 hour to dry thoroughly before serving or storing.