The Day After Halloween

This morning I woke to the sound of rustling candy wrappers.  Stella had poured all of her Halloween candy out of her witch bag and onto the floor.  Noah was helping her organize it.  I remember doing the same thing when I was little.  Last night before she went to bed, she kept telling me to make sure the boys didn't take her candy.

Yesterday was spooktacular :)  It was filled with pumpkin waffles and apple cider syrup, a Halloween parade, a witch, my very favorite sugar cookies, a vampire, trunk-or-treating, a "chick" magnet, frosting and sprinkles, family, chili and of course, Provo bakery doughnuts (glazed with chocolate frosting), Halloween wouldn't be the same without them.      

My Favorite Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pure almond extract

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.  Place shortening, butter and sugars in a large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color.  Add egg, vanilla extract and almond extract and beat to combine.  With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and mix until combined.  If dough seems too sticky add a little more flour.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Remove dough from refrigerator, sprinkle rolling pin lightly with flour and roll out dough to desired thickness (about 1/4-inch).  Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to brown around the edges.  Cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Sugar Cookie Frosting

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/8 teaspoon salt (heaping)

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Milk or cream

Place butter in bowl of electric mixer and beat until smooth.  Add vanilla and almond extract and salt.  With mixer on low, gradually add powdered sugar.  Add enough milk or cream to reach desired consistency.

Recipe from my mom