Peppermint Sugar Cookies

Peppermint Sugar Cookies 

1-1/3 cups butter

1-1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt (if unsalted butter)
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
4 cups flour
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes

Cream butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs and peppermint extract. Mix in flour and peppermint candy. Chill dough until easy to handle, if the dough is too soft. Roll dough out and cut out shapes. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes so the candy has time to solidify again. Frost with peppermint-flavored Sugar Cookie Icing, if desired.

Eliza's notes: I also made these as drop cookies. Then, to dress them up, I drizzled some melted semi-sweet chocolate chips over the tops. We have made these at Christmas, Valentine's Day, and whenever we want some fancy sugar cookies. At Christmas time, I ground up several boxes of candy canes and put all the crushed pieces in a bag in the freezer. Then I always have some peppermint on hand for desserts.