Candy Cane Ropes

Makes 12

These soft, almost chewy, candy-like creations are one of my favorite things to whip up in a jiffy, or use as an activity with kiddos. They’re secretly gluten free, to boot. Feel free to go off piece, color or shape swap in semi-sweet chocolate the rope into other holiday shapes and sizes.

½ cup crisco shortening

½ cup white chocolate chips, melted

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar

4 teaspoons nonfat milk powder

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

16 drops red food coloring

¼ teaspoon peppermint extract

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, on low speed, mix together crisco, melted white chocolate chips and vanilla extract until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Still on low speed, mix in confectioner’s sugar, milk powder and salt until smooth, about 1 minute.

Divide the dough in half, placing half of the dough on a clean counter and leaving half of the dough in the stand mixer bowl.

On low speed paddle the red food coloring, peppermint extract and other half of the dough until the color and flavor are well distributed, 2 minutes.

Pinch off a 1-inch round piece of the white dough and roll it out to a 4-inch rope. Do the same with a piece of the red dough (make sure the ropes are the same length). Place the ropes next to each other and twist together (they will shorten in length as they twist). Transfer ropes to an ungreased baking sheet and leave out overnight, uncovered to firm up slightly.

Store and serve at room temperature or out of the fridge with a cup of hot cocoa or as a perfect little holiday snack.