Decorated Pumpkin Cookie
The "Cheat" Recipe!
Okay, as a mom myself, I realize that time is precious. Here is one decorated pumpkin cookie "cheat recipe" for you that will leave you with plenty of time for other things, especially if your kids give you a last minute notice that they need a special snack for a party!
What You Need:
Package of round cookies- sugar cookies or even vanilla or chocolate cream filled cookies work well for this
Shredded Coconut
At least 2 cans of vanilla canned frosting, depending on how many cookies you need
Black licorice twists (not whips)
1 quart sized plastic zip lock bag
Red and Yellow food coloring, or if you can find it, orange food coloring
What You Do:
1. First, tint the shredded coconut. Place two cups of shredded coconut in the zip lock bag, add one drop of red and yellow food coloring and shake until distributed evenly. You are trying to achieve a light orange color, not a dark orange one. Add more coloring if needed, only one drop at a time. Spread out on a cookie sheet to allow to dry evenly, and break down any clumps.
2. Using the canned frosting, add one drop of red and yellow food coloring to create a light orange color. Start liberally frosting those packaged cookies! Remember, if the frosting is too skimpy, the coconut and licorice decorations might fall off!
3. Once the cookies are all frosted, sprinkle the orange shredded coconut onto the cookies. You may need to slightly press the coconut into the frosting to make it stick.
4. Those pumpkin cookies need some faces- here's where the licorice comes in. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife (adults only!), cut little triangles out for two eyes and a nose, then cut little square pieces for the mouth and a rectangle for the top of the cookie (should look like a stem). Press the licorice in slightly to make sure the decorations don't fall off.
That's it! Pack these pumpkin cookies in a cute picnic basket or Halloween tin, separated with waxed paper and they'll be a hit wherever they appear.
