Swirled Mint Cookies

Swirled Mint Cookies

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspooon baking powder
1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
10 drops red food coloring
10 drops green food coloring

Combine flour and baking powder. In a large mixing bowl beat margarine until softened. Add sugar and beat till fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract; beat well. Add flour mixture and beat till well blended. Divide into thirds. Stir red food coloring into one-third, stir green coloring into another, and leave remaining third plain. Cover each and chill about 1 hour or till easy to handle. Divide each color of dough into 4 parts. On a lightly floured surface roll each into a 1/2-inch diameter rope. Place one red, one green and one plain rope side by side. Twist together. Slice into 1/2-inch pieces for larger cookies, or 1/4-inch for smaller ones. Carefully roll into balls, blending colors as little as possible. Place about 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten to 1/4-inch thickness with the bottom of a glass dipped in additional sugar. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake in a 375 degree oven till done (8-10 minutes for large cookies/ 6-8 minutes for small cookies). Remove and cool. Makes 6-12 dozen cookies.