Jack O Lantern Sugar Cookies {+ More Last Minute Halloween Treat}

Happy Halloween Everyone! I wanted to share a last minute Halloween Treat with y'all. Yesterday I made the cutest Jack O Lantern Sugar Cookies for my sons cub scout troop. I usually choose a healthy alternative when it's my snack day, but since it was Halloween I couldn't help myself.

I saw this cookie idea a couple weeks back, but I can't remember where I saw it. Since I couldn't give credit I just recreated the cookie using my own sugar cookie  and frosting recipe. If you're the person that had this idea let me know and I will inspirational credit.  

This cookie dough recipe is super easy and makes the best sugar cookies. They're crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. Carson was so surprised when he got home from school and saw all those smiling Jack O Lanterns setting on the counter. 

 

The first thing he said was .... Mom can I have one? Pwease? I told him just one, because they're for your troop.He took a bite and said thanks mom they look good. That was all I needed to hear and I knew it was all worth it.

I'm so glad I decided to make these cookies, because they were too cute not to.  All his friends loved them.

Jack O Lantern Sugar Cookies
{mommyskitchen.net}

Ingredients:

1/3 - cup unsalted butter, softened

1/3 - cup shortening

1 - cup granulated sugar

1 - tsp baking powder

dash salt

1 - egg

1 - tsp vanilla extract

2 - cups all purpose flour

Colored Icing:

2 - cups confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)

1 - tablespoon softened butter or margarine

4 - 5  tablespoons milk

1 1/2 - teaspoons vanilla extract

orange & green food coloring or icing paste
Candy corns & Licorice Ropes  (mouth and eyes)

Directions:

In a medium size bowl beat shortening and butter together with a electric mixer. Add sugar, vanilla extract and egg.

Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together then add to the creamed mixture. Mix together scraping the sides of the bowl.

I used my kitchen aid mixer to mix everything until it came away from the bowl and started to form into a ball.

Try and mix enough of the flour mixture in using mixer, stir in any remaining flour with wooden spoon. Place dough inside a large zip lock bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Remove dough and let sit on the counter at least 30 minutes. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about 1/4 inch thick.

I cut my sugar cookies more on the thicker side. I think it yields a softer inside. Cut with pumpkin shaped cookie cutter and place on a un greased baking sheet.

Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes or until edges are firm and start to get golden brown. The bottom of the cookies should be light brown as well.

Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Remove and place on a baking rack to cool completely. Frost with colored icing.

To make the icing, mix all ingredients together blending with a fork. If too dry, add a little more milk. The icing is thin and pourable, so don't be alarmed. 

Once mixed, remove about 1/2 cup to a separate bowl to use as green icing for the stems. 

To the remaining icing add a few drops of orange food coloring or icing paste. Spoon over cookies and let the icing run off the sides. Add candy corn eyes and a licorice mouth.

Let frosted cookies set for at least 6 hours or overnight so the icing will harden.

Recipe makes: 12 cookies  

 Before I go I wanted to share a few other Halloween Treats from my recipe collection. I added these just in case you need a few last minute treat ideas. 

• Halloween Cookie Bars
• White Chocolate Candy Corn Cake Mix Cookies
• Yummy Mummy Dogs
• Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats
• Sweet & Salty Halloween Snack Mix
• Halloween Ghost Peep Smores
• Halloween Jell-O Poke Cake
• Trick Or Treat Cupcakes & Nutter Butter Ghost
• Halloween Dream Cupcakes  
• Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars (using Halloween sprinkles)  

Be safe and have a Spooktacular Night!