Halloween Cookies 

Decoration ingredients:
2/3 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(optional) food coloring

Cookie ingredients:
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Baking directions: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight). Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with Halloween cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Decorating directions: In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, confectioners’ sugar,and milk until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Divide into bowls based on number of colors desired. Beat in a few drops of the vanilla and a few drops of food coloring un- til you get the desired color. Spread on or between completely cooled cookies. Draw fine details on with a bag and tip.