Mini Halloween Shortbread Cookies

It’s a common misconception that all the things I do take a large amount of time (seriously, the most asked question I get is “Where do you find the time?! I can’t even find time to ________” filling in the blank with any number of mundane daily tasks)… but the time-consuming myth is just not true! At least not lately. Each project I tackle is thoroughly thought out, with timing in mind, and accomplished in a reasonable amount of daylight.  Gone are the days when I could spend weeks planning incredible baked goods or complicated DIY’s. And I as soon as it’s dark these days I crash- hard.  I barely have energy to whip up PB&J for lunch let alone get all crazy fancy and complicated with sugar cookies. I still love the idea though (and really, I love eating the cookies) so these mini, simple, buttery-sweet, shortbread cookies were a beyond perfect treat to whip up. The girls loved them and they were easy from start to finish. Win, win!

True confession, these taste SO MUCH like Chessman cookies which I’ve been craving hardcore. I try not to buy them (or Milano double chocolates, or fudge stripe cookies, or vanilla cream wafers…………….. or any cookie really -you get the idea- ha!) because I will eat the entire bag and want more. It’s a little problem I have 😉 At least these mini’s make a reasonably sized batch and are easy to justify popping in two or ten.

Shortbread Cookies:

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

2 sticks room temperature (salted) butter

3/4 cups pwd. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Did I mention how easy these cookies are? Simply cream together the butter, salt and vanilla extract with a hand mixer. Add the flour and powdered sugar right on top, and mix until the dough comes together. It may be a bit sticky but that is a-ok. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until you have your glazes ready. Preheat the oven to 350degrees (my oven has a few hot spots so I generally heat 5 degrees less for cookies- so my oven was at 345 for these). And set out two airbake cookie sheets (the ONLY cookie sheets I will ever, ever, ever use for cookies).

 

Simple Glazes:

1/3 cup powdered sugar

2-3 tsp. water

2-4 drops of food coloring

Making these glazes couldn’t be easier. I scooped out a few 1/3 cups of sugar into different bowls, added the water, and let the girls add the food coloring one drop at a time. A LITTLE water goes a long way for these glazes so start with two teaspoons and add a tiny bit more. You are looking for a consistency that isn’t “dripping” but isn’t too thick to spread easily either. A happy medium 😉

After your glazes are mixed, remove dough from the fridge and place on a well floured surface. Lightly dust top of dough with flour and roll disc to a 1/4 inch thick or so. I tend to like my shortbread on the thicker side but if you like a more crunchy cookie go thinner. Use mini cookie cutters to cut out all your shapes. You can place them really close together on the cookie sheet because they really won’t spread at all. Place the cookies into the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes if you can- helps with perfectly shaped finished cookies! Bake for 8-12 minutes or until JUST barely golden at the edges.

When cool, transfer to wire cooling racks.  Use a butter knife to frost these babies. That’s my favorite way to quickly decorate tons of cookies and you don’t have to mess around with piping bags or fancy baking equipment. It takes a bit of practice to get nice clean edges but it’s worth figuring out if you like to make cookies often! Just go slow, and push the glaze to the edges of the cookie very gently. You can do this!

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Below I’ve listed a few {affiliate} links to the cookie cutters, baking sheets and food coloring I used for these cookies. And now I’m off to hunt for mini Thanksgiving and Christmas cookie cutter sets as well! We’ll definitely be making these again and again 😉 Can you imagine receiving a big glass jar of these shortbread cookies as a gift? Yum!

Wilton 6 Piece Halloween Mini Metal Cookie Cutter Set

AirBake Natural 2 Pack Cookie Sheet Set, 16 x 14 in

MCCORMICK FOOD AND EGG COLORING DYE 4 Colors