Festive Fall Recipe

I just got on Pinterest yesterday and think it is pretty cool.  I am still trying to get the hang of it, but think it will be a great resouce for all things, crafty, yummy and pretty.  Found these cute  Martha Stewart cookies on Pinterest and pinned them to my Halloween Board.  Couldn't wait to try them out, so since it was cold and foggy morning, I decided to whip out a few quick batches.    

Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

Right after removing the cookies from the oven, be sure to press in the candies.

• Prep Time 15 minutes
• Total Time 30 minutes
• Yield Makes about 36

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
• About 36 candy corns

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter and sugar in a medium bowl; beat with a wooden spoon until combined. Beat in egg yolk, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Add flour, and mix until a dough forms.
2. Scoop out level teaspoons of dough, and roll into balls (chill dough briefly if it becomes too soft to handle). Place balls on baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
3. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are firm and cookies are dry to the touch (do not let cookies color), 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Remove from oven; gently press a candy corn into center of each cookie (surface of cookies may crack slightly). Cool on sheets 1 minute; transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Cook's Note

Chocolate Variation: Reduce the amount of flour given in the recipe to 1/2 cup. Add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder along with the flour in step 1, and proceed.

These cookies were so easy and quick to make--tasty too.  There was no frosting, decorating or piping involved.  Great for the kids to help press the candy corn into the cookies, although be careful with little little children, so they don't burn themselved on the hot cookie tray.  I plan to make these right before Halloween to bring as gifts to family and friends.  So cute and festive.  Love these!

~Amy

P.S. Although the recipe says makes 36 cookies I only got between 16 to 20 cookies per batch, but with both chocolate and plain cookies there are plenty.  I may double recipe in the future.