Halloween Cookies

This is my favorite sugar cookie recipe.  It makes a firm sugar cookie that holds up great to decorating.  Recipe source The Martha Stewart Cookbook.

Ingredients:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 stick (1/4 lb.) butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tbsp brandy ( I use Amaretto or Hazelnut Kahlua)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Royal Icing

Sift together the dry ingredients.  In an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light; add the egg, brandy, and vanilla and beat well.  Add the dry ingredients a little at a time and mix until well blended.  Wrap and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  On a lightly floured board, roll on third of the dough at a time.  Roll to about 1/8 inch thick and cut out with cookie cutters.  Bake for 10 minutes.  She puts on parchment-lined baking sheets.  Do not allow to brown.  (Mine are too brown.)  Cool on racks and decorate with royal icing.

Yields: 2 dozen

Royal Icing

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 tbsp milk

food coloring

Mix the sugar, and milk until well blended.  Add desired color.  Ice cookies.  It will harden and appear shiny.  While wet I used cookie sprinkles for Halloween by Wilton.

They are going..going...fast.

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