Candy Cane Wreath Ornaments

by the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine

Cite This!
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:

Publications International, Ltd., the Editors of.  "Candy Cane Wreath Ornaments."  31 August 2006.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/candy-cane-wreath-ornaments-recipe.htm>  08 July 2008.

Candy Cane & Wreath Ornaments Photo
Candy Cane & Wreath Ornaments
Yield: Makes about 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1
cup sugar

1/2
cup shortening

1/2
cup butter, softened

1
teaspoon salt

1
egg

2
teaspoons vanilla

2-1/2
cups all-purpose flour

1/2
teaspoon almond extract

1/4
teaspoon liquid green food coloring

1/4
teaspoon peppermint extract

1/2
teaspoon liquid red food coloring, divided

Creamy Decorator's Frosting (recipe follows)

Assorted red candies



Preparation:
1.
Beat sugar, shortening, butter and salt in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until well blended. Beat in flour at low speed until soft dough forms. Remove half of dough from bowl; set aside. Divide remaining dough evenly between 2 medium bowls. Stir almond extract and green food coloring into one portion until well blended. Stir peppermint extract and 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring into remaining portion until well blended.

2.
Place level teaspoonfuls of red, green and white doughs on large baking sheet. Cover; refrigerate 15 minutes or until slightly firm.

3.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 1 teaspoon red dough, 1 teaspoon green dough and 2 teaspoons white dough on lightly floured surface. Roll out each portion into 6- to 7-inch rope with lightly floured hands. Place 1 green rope next to 1 white rope and 1 red rope next to remaining white rope. Twist each pair of ropes together 7 or 8 times. Shape red and white rope into candy cane and green and white rope into wreath; place on ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.

4.
Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are firm. Do not allow to brown. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely.

5.
Prepare Creamy Decorator's Frosting. Tint half of frosting with remaining 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring. Spoon frostings into decorating bags fitted with writing tips. Pipe cluster of berries onto wreaths with red frosting. Glue candies onto wreaths with white frosting. Let stand 1 hour or until icing is set. Tie ribbon loops or bows onto each cookie for hanging.





Creamy Decorators Frosting

Yield: Makes about 5 cups
Ingredients:
1-1/2
cups shortening

1-1/2
teaspoons lemon, coconut, almond or peppermint extract

7-1/2
cups sifted powdered sugar

1/3
cup milk



Preparation:
1.
Beat shortening and extract in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Slowly add half of sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in milk. Add remaining sugar; beat 1 minute more until smooth and fluffy.* Store in refrigerator. (Frosting may be used for frosting cake and/or piping decorations.)
*If frosting seems too soft for piping roses or other detailed flowers or borders, refrigerate for a few hours. Refrigerating frosting usually gives better results, but you may also try stirring in additional sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, until desired consistency.






This recipe appears in: Frosting & Icing