Christmas Cookie Canes

I found this delicious recipe in a Hallmark insert years ago.  These are so good.

1 C. milk
4 C. flour
1/4 C. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 C. butter
1 pkg. active dry yeast, dissolved in 1/4 C. warm water
2 eggs, beaten

Filling:
1 1/2 C. finely chopped apple
3/4 C. chopped nuts
1/3 C. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Canned vanilla frosting

Scald milk; let cool to lukewarm.  In a large bowl combine flour, 1/4 C. sugar, salt & lemon peel; cut in butter until like coarse meal.  Add yeast water, milk, and eggs to flour mixture.  Combine lightly.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

Prepare filling.  Divide dough in half and roll out on floured board to form an 18" x 15" rectangle.  Spread with half the filling.  Fold over twice to form three layers 6" x 15".  Cut into 15 strips 6 inches long.  Twist strips and pinch ends to seal.  Shape into canes and put on cookie sheet (I use parchment paper on them).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until done.  Frost when fairly warm.  (I just use canned frosting since I don't use much on these.).

Here is the dough - it will be very soft but will firm up in the refrigerator -

The filling -

Rolled out on a pastry board and the filling dabbled on -

Spread the filling evenly -

Roll up half the dough -

And the other half -

Slice -

Twist and place on parchment paper on cookie sheet -

Fairly soon after baking - frost so it glazes on -

Lucy wants me to stop all this baking and play with her.  She just loves these little faux mice.  She looks so cute when she carries them around (that's because I know they are "stuffed" mice!!!!) -

Linking to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum - click here.

Also linking to Life In Grace's Christmas Sweet Treats Linky Party.  Check out the great recipes by clicking here.