Kitty Wishes for Cookies

It’s Halloween! Since I am writing this post frooooooom theeeeee paaaaaast…wait, that’s to be expected right? It would only be slightly scare if I were writing this from the future, so ignore my lame attempt at a scary beginning.

As I type, the winds of Hurricane Sandy are whipping the trees outside my window into an autumnal frenzy and leaves are scattering about the yard. It’s fun peeking out of the window at the swinging trees…hoping that if the branches do crack and fall, they stay far away from the house.

But enough about la storm Sandy. By the time you read this, let’s hope the Northeast is out from under.

Now, on to Halloween…..who am I fooling? Get the candy corn half-price and make ’em anytime!

I’d like to think Sakaria, who does have a bit of a sense of humor, might serve these in her cafe.

Please note that you will have to refrigerate the dough until it is firm enough for you to work with, about 2 hours.

This recipe is courtesy of Land O Lakes.

2 cups sugar

1 cup Land O Lakes butter, softened

3 Land O Lakes® All-Natural Eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Candy corn

Red cinnamon candies

Combine sugar and butter in large bowl; beat at medium speed until well mixed. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla; beat until well mixed.

Combine all remaining ingredients except candies in medium bowl. Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture to butter mixture. Beat until well mixed.Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a ball; flatten to 1/2 inch. Wrap each half in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours).Heat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-half at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch round cookie cutters. Place onto ungreased cookie sheets. I use parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Using fingers, pinch up ears at top of each circle. Place 2 pieces candy corn onto cookies for eyes and 1 red cinnamon candy for nose. Press tines of fork on each side of cookie below eyes to form whiskers.

Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are set. Let cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire cooling rack.

Enjoy!