Peppermint candy canes

makes 40

These sweet treats are a great last-minute gourmet addition to a homemade gift hamper and are fun to make with kids

Ingredients

few drops peppermint essence or extract

100g white regal icing

50g red regal icing

50g green regal icing

Method

Mix a few drops of peppermint into the white, red and green icing. Divide the white icing in 2 and wrap half in cling film along with the green icing.

Roll the remaining half of white icing into a long, thin sausage shape, then do the same with the red icing. Lay the 2 sausages next to each other, and twist together. Gently roll the twisted length with the palm of your hand until the 2 sausages are joined and smooth. Slice into 12cm lengths, then bend the end of each one to make a hook. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment, then spread out the candy canes. Repeat with the remaining white icing and green icing, then leave the canes to dry out for at least 24 hrs before packaging.