Halloween Themed Cut-out Sugar Cookies

It is finally October and that means making treats that will reflect the occasion. These cookies are perfect for any social settings because they are simple and yet delicious.  The recipe itself, can be used for any cut-out cookie that you would like to frost.

Today, I finally came to the conclusion that icing cookies can be considered an art form.  It took me a couple of tries before I got the technique of icing the cookies down.  Problems ranged from the consistency of the icing to just the overall look of the images that I drew.  But have no fear, after a few trial and error the cookies will look good enough to be served in a goodie-bag or on a silver platter.  

Now you may ask, what should I do with the ugly, deformed, non presentable, and yet tasty cookies?  Well I ask myself that all the time and the answer is, "Just eat them!"  

I decided to make spider webs and pumpkins shaped cookies today.  I went online and found tutorials on how to make the spider web design and it is pretty simple.  I used a circle cookie cutter for the spider webs and a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter for the pumpkins.  I had an idea of how I wanted the pumpkins to turn out but things didn't go as plan so instead I just drew whatever came to mind.

Cut-out Sugar Cookies Recipe
(makes about 2 dozens)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 (1 1/2 sticks) cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a stand-mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar on medium low until light and fluffy.  Add in eggs, vanilla extract, and orange extract and continue to cream.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and continue to mix until a soft dough is formed.
4. Transfer cookie dough onto plastic wrap.  Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight).
5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. On a lightly floured surface roll out the chilled cookie dough 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick .
7. Cut-out with cookie cutters, transfer to a parchment lined cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Royal Icing Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl whisk together warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar.
2. Add in vanilla.
3. In a stand-mixer with a paddle attachment, mix meringue mixture with powdered sugar.  Continue to mix on medium-low until the icing is smooth with no lumps of powdered sugar.
4. Add in food coloring.