Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Red gel food coloring
- ¼ cup coarse sugar or crushed peppermint candies (for coating)
Instructions:
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract.
- Mix dry ingredients into the wet until a soft dough forms.
- Divide dough in half—leave one plain, color the other red. Wrap both and chill 30 minutes.
- Roll each dough into a 10×12-inch rectangle. Lay the red dough on top of the plain dough and gently press.
- Roll tightly into a log. Wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Brush the dough log with water or egg white, then roll in coarse sugar or crushed peppermint.
- Slice into ¼-inch rounds and place 1 inch apart on sheets.
- Bake 8–10 minutes. Cool fully on a wire rack.