Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
Almond Essence-a few drops
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups  flour

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Mix well the butter, sugar, egg, almond and vanilla. Add flour,stir.. Divide dough in half.
3. Blend red food coloring into one half. Roll 1 teaspoon of the red dough and 1 teaspoon of the white dough on lightly floured board into 4 inch strips. Place strips side by side and press lightly together and twist like a rope. Curve top of rope down to look like the handle of a candy cane.
4. Bake 9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove while still warm. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup crushed peppermint stick candy and 1/2 cup sugar (optional).