Irene's Peppermint Butterball Cookies

My mother always made batches of cookies for Christmas. This one is my favorite, and when she and Dad had to move into assisted living, I took some of the old recipe books and cards. I've made these the past two years. As with the chocolate chip cookies, these slide right off if you use parchment paper.

Also, smashing up peppermint candy canes is easier than trying to smash the round peppermints. I usually wrap a batch of candy in freezer paper, put it on the breadboard, and start pounding with the side of the hammer.

1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. peppermint flavor

1 1/2 cups white flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 c. crushed peppermint stick candy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F.).

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (Or, be lazy, and melt the butter first.) Add the flavorings and the egg; beat well. Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. Mix into the creamed mixture along with the candy. Chill several hours.

Roll into small balls (1/2 - 3/4" diameter) and roll in granulated sugar. Place on a lightly greased and floured cookie sheet (or use parchment paper) 2 inches apart. Bake for ten minutes or until slightly brown.