Author Angela Litzinger at test.angelaskitchen.com
Ingredients
8small gluten free candy canes
3tablespoonssugar
2cupfinely ground rice flour
2/3cuppotato starch
1/3cuptapioca flour/starch
1 1/2teaspoonxanthan gum or guar gum
1teaspoonbaking soda
1/4teaspoonsalt
1cupgluten and dairy free margarineI used Earth Balance Buttery Sticks
1cupsugar
1eggor 3 T ground golden flax mixed with 3 T hot water
1tablespoonunsweetened gluten and dairy free milk substitute
1tablespoongluten free vanilla extract
red food coloring as neededregular or natural – be sure gluten free if natural dye
Instructions
Put the peppermint candy into a heavy-duty plastic bag. I usually use two freezer bags because the candy can tear through the bag during this step. Crush the candy using a rolling pin on a hard surface. Mix the crushed candy with the first measurement of sugar. Set aside.
In a bowl whisk together rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, xanthan gum, baking soda and salt. In the bowl of you mixer, beat the margarine with second measurement of sugar. When light and fluffy, beat in the egg, milk substitute and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until well blended. Divide dough in half, setting half aside. Add red coloring to remaining half of dough, mixing well until color is all incorporated. Wrap each portion of dough well and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Take dough from refrigerator. Working with walnut sized pieces of dough, roll one white piece and one red piece into a rope shape about 5 inches long. Twist one red and one white rope shape together, then curve the end to make the cookie look like a candy cane. Set on baking sheet. Continue with remaining dough. Sprinkle shaped cookies with crushed candy and sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. After baking allow cookies to set up for 5 minutes on baking pan before removing to cooling rack.
Freezing Directions: Allow cookies to cool completely. Put cookies into a freezer container, separating the layers with waxed paper. Seal, label and freeze.