Day of the Dead Cookies

Total Time Prep: 2 hours + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
Yield 1 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
I make these cookies for all occasions. In the spring, I cut them in flower shapes and insert a lollipop stick in each to make a bouquet. Using candies, food coloring and a wild imagination, try your hand at this Day of the Dead version. —Kristine Fossmeyer, Huntley, Illinois

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups butter, softened
  • 1-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 ounces almond paste
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup 2% milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 packages (12 ounces each) white candy coating melts
  • Optional decorations: Jumbo sprinkles, peppermint candies, candy-coated sunflower kernels, Skittles, Twizzlers Rainbow Twists and Good & Plenty candies
  • Black paste food coloring

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes; add almond paste. Beat in the egg, milk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut out with a floured 5-in. skull-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  3. Bake at 375° for 7-9 minutes or until firm. Let stand for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
  4. In a large, shallow, microwave-safe dish, melt white candy coating melts according to package directions. Dip top side of each cookie into coating, allowing excess to drip off; place on waxed paper.
  5. Add decorations as desired. Tint remaining white candy coating black; pipe on mouths. Let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cookie: 364 calories, 19g fat (14g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

I make these cookies for all occasions. In the spring, I cut them in flower shapes and insert a lollipop stick in each to make a bouquet. Using candies, food coloring and a wild imagination, try your hand at this Day of the Dead version. —Kristine Fossmeyer, Huntley, Illinois
Recipe Creator

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