Candy Corn Cookies

I can't believe it's the middle of October and I haven't even posted a Halloween recipe or crafts yet. Ugh. Life is a little overwhelming right now but I've decided to kick it into gear and get my Halloween on.  So the first Halloween recipe for this year is for Candy Corn Cookies.  Aren't they just adorable?!?!  I love the look of candy corn.  It just screams Halloween to me =o)

I got the recipe from my Mom's blog, Wives with Knives.  She made these 2 years ago and I have wanted to make them ever since. 

Candy Corn Cookies

Source: Wives with Knives

* 1 cup butter, softened

* 1 cup sugar

* 1 egg

* 2 Tbsp. orange juice

* 2 tsp. orange zest

* 1/8 tsp. salt

* 3 cups flour

* 1/2 tsp. baking soda

* orange gel food coloring

* yellow gel food coloring

* sanding sugar

(Note - I didn't add the orange juice or zest to my cookies because I didn't think my kids would like the orange flavor too much.  Nah, who am I kidding.  I didn't think I would like the orange flavor.)  So I added 2 tsp. vanilla in their place.)

In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add the egg and orange juice and zest (or vanilla) and mix well.  Combine flour, salt and baking soda and add to butter mixture.  Mix well.

Divide the dough into 3 equal parts.  Add yellow food coloring to one part, yellow to one part and leave the third part "normal".  Make sure you use enough of the food coloring gel to make the colors vibrant because they will fade during baking.

Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.  Press the uncolored dough evenly into pan.  Follow with the orange dough and then the yellow dough. 

Fold the parchment paper over the dough and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

When dough is thoroughly chilled, remove dough and parchment paper from the loaf pan. 

Slice into 1/4 inch slices and cut into triangles.

I just love this sanding sugar.  It gives the cookies a yummy crunch and makes them sparkly.  And who doesn't love sparkly???

Dip one side in sugar and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7 - 9 minutes.

My pictures aren't nearly as adorable as my Mom's, but I thought the cookies were totally cute.  And they were delicious!  Totally dangerous in my house.  They are small, maybe 2 bite cookies and it was easy to eat 5 of them before even realizing it.  At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Enjoy!

 

I'm linking to the parties on my sidebar.

Don't forget to check out our other fun Halloween ideas...
Homemade Candy Corn
Candy Corn Kiss Cookies
 Homemade Butterfinger Candy Bars (made with candy corn)
 Corn Husk Cookies