Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
227 gms / 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup icing / confectioners sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp red food coloring


Preparation:

1. In a bowl, whisk the all purpose flour with salt and keep it aside.
2. In another large mixing bowl or in the bowl of electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until creamy.
3. Add egg yolks, vanilla extract and almond extract and beat until combined.
4. Then add the flour mixture, in three additions, and beat until a smooth dough.
5. Divide the dough into 2 equal parts and remove half / one part of the dough from the mixing bowl.
6. To the remaining half, add the red food colouring and beat on low speed until well blended. ( If the dough is too soft, wrap/ cover both dough with cling wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes).
7. Preheat the oven to 190 degree celcius. Line the baking sheet with parchment / baking paper.
8. Take a walnut sized pieces of red and white dough and roll each color separately on a lightly floured surface into a 4-5 inch long rope.
9. Place the two ropes side by side, gently press together and twist them together to form a spiral.