Ghosts on a Stick

You'll need a 4-inch ghost cookie cutter to make these Halloween-themed ghost cookies on a stick.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Wooden craft sticks
1 (16-ounce) container ready-to-spread vanilla frosting
Toppings: colored sugars, mini-morsels, candy sprinkles, 1 (4.25-ounce) tube black or brown decorating frosting

Cooking Directions:

1. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla to butter mixture; beat well. Gradually add flour, cream of tartar, and baking soda, beating well.
2. Cover and chill dough 1 hour. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness, and cut with a 4-inch ghost-shaped cutter. Place cookies 2-inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Place a craft stick under each cookie, pressing cookie lightly onto stick.
3. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool cookies on baking sheets 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Microwave frosting in a 2-quart glass bowl at HIGH 1 minute or until frosting melts. Spread melted frosting over cookies in batches of 3. (Frosting hardens quickly.) Decorate rapidly with desired toppings.

Makes 2 dozen.