Halloween Sugar Cookie Recipe

Directions

1. Start by heating your oven to 375°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, sugar, powdered sugar, egg, and almond extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, stirring just until a soft dough comes together.
5. Roll the dough out on a floured surface and use cookie cutters to cut shapes. For crisp cookies, roll thinly; for softer cookies, aim for about ⅜ inch thickness. Try to handle the dough as little as possible.
6. Bake on a greased baking sheet for 8–10 minutes, then allow the cookies to cool completely.
7. Prepare the frosting by beating together the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract with a hand mixer until smooth. If the frosting is too stiff, add a little extra milk.
8. Tint the frosting with orange food coloring, then spread it over the cooled cookies.
9. Add pumpkin texture using orange decorating gel, then sprinkle on orange sugar sprinkles. Place a green M&M on top for the stem and attach candy eyes to create faces.