1 cup shortening
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. red food coloring
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
1/2 sugar

Cream shortening, sugar, egg and flavorings. Mix flour and salt, and gradually stir into shortening mixture, working with your hands as necessary until dough holds together. Divide dough in two parts. Blend food coloring into one half.

Normally, I roll the dough into ropes that I twist together and bend to look like a candy cane. Tonight, I was way too slack for that. Instead, I took equal pinches of coloured and plain dough, rolled into a ball, and flattened. I kind of like that each one is different and looks like mixed pain!

Bake at 375' for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.