Swirled Mint Cookies

Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour and baking powder; set aside.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.

Step 3: Add the 1 cup sugar; beat until fluffy.

Step 4: Add egg, vanilla, and extract; beat well.

Step 5: Add flour mixture; beat until well-mixed.

Step 6: Divide dough into three equal portions.

Step 7: Stir red food coloring into one portion, stir green food coloring into another, and leave remaining dough portion plain.

Step 8: Cover; chill about 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

Step 9: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 10: Divide each color of dough into four equal portions.

Step 11: On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 1/2-inch-diameter rope.

Step 12: Place one red, one green, and one plain rope side by side. Twist together.

Step 13: Repeat with remaining ropes.

Step 14: Chill dough for 30 minutes.

Step 15: Cut ropes into 1/2-inch-thick slices for larger cookies or 1/4-inch-thick slices for smaller ones.

Step 16: Carefully roll slices into balls, blending colors as little as possible.

Step 17: Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Step 18: Using the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar, flatten each ball to 1/4-inch thickness.

Step 19: Bake in preheated oven until edges are set (allow 8 to 10 minutes for larger cookies; 6 to 8 minutes for smaller ones).

Step 20: Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool.