Swirled Mint Cookies

Instructions

1. In a bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder; set aside.
2. In a separate larger bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar; beat until combined. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and peppermint extracts. Beat in the flour mixture until combined.
3. Divide the dough into three equal portions. Stir the red food coloring into one portion; stir the green food coloring into another; leave remaining dough portion plain. Cover and chill about 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.
4. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Divide each color of the dough into four equal portions. Roll each portion between two sheets of parchment paper into a ½ inch diameter rope. Place one red, one green and one plain rope side by side. Twist together. Repeat with remaining ropes. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
5. Cut ropes into ½ inch thick slices for large cookies (or ¼-inch thick slices for smaller ones). Roll slices into balls, blending colors as little as possible. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using bottom of a glass dipped in sugar, flatten each ball to a ¼ inch thickness.
6. Bake until edges are set (8 to 10 minutes for large cookies; 6 to 8 minutes for smaller ones). Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool.