Cowgirl, Pirate and Cookies!

We had so much fun trick or treating this year. The girls went to many houses this year without Sarah Jane whining at all :) --this made me very happy. We did the home-made costumes this year...yeah I know I am cheap...but that is okay they are usually the best costumes when the children think them up themselves.. I like to consider my family is thrifty.

I made my annual big pumpkin and bat cookies again this year. The kids love to take them into school for their classroom Halloween parties. I love to make them too...I sneak a pinch of dough while I am rolling out the cookies. I made about 100 of them using 7 batches of dough! The recipe is really easy to make up.

Sugar Cookie Cutouts
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
colored sprinkles and multicolored sprinkles, for decorating
**In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl (I am lazy and use the kitchen aide mixer right away, instead of having to wash another bowl) beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, then the vanilla. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour mixture. Divide the dough into thirds, shape each piece into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Preheat oven to 350F. On surface--roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. (I use the pampered chef baking stones) Decorate with sprinkles. Bake 10 minutes, or until edges begin to brown. (12 minutes for baking stones). Cool cookies and eat alot of them :)

Since everyone's time is precious during the holidays--make the dough ahead and freeze for up to three months. My family loves these cookies and I hope that your family will enjoy them too! I also baked some for Kevin's soccer teammates and they all seemed to enjoy them--for they disappeared rather quickly.