Makes about 6 dozen

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup decorator sugar

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Divide dough into fourths. Divide each fourth into fourths, for a total of 16 pieces. Shape each piece into thin 15-inch rope. Cut each into 5 (3-inch) lengths. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Shape into candy cane shape. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned on edges. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. While cookies are still warm, dip into decorator sugar.

Buttery Pretzel Cookies
Cut rolled out dough ropes into 5-inch lengths. Shape into pretzel shape. Bake as directed. While warm, dip in mixture of 3/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.