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Everyone's favorite holiday, especially if you are under twelve, is on its way. But you know the The Cookie Lady philosophy, if something is really good, then cookies make it even better!

The following is an old Halloween favorite that everyone seems to like, even those over twelve.

Please read the entire recipe before you start.

Combine on a piece of waxed paper, set aside:

• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 dash (1/8 tsp.) salt

In a large mixer bowl, beat until well blended:

• ¼ c. (½ stick) room temperature unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ¼ orange extract or orange oil

Stir in the flour mixture. Do not overmix. Divide the dough into three parts, about 3/4 c. each. Add yellow food coloring to one, orange coloring (or a few drops of yellow with 2 to 3 drops of red to create a bright orange) to the second. Leave the third part of the dough white.

Cover and chill about an hour or even overnight. Do not skip this step, you need it so that the dough will be firmer and much easier to handle for the steps that follow.

Shape and bake the cookies

Preheat the oven to 300°

Take a small amount of dough from each color and form a ball about the size of a walnut, about 1 inch. Roll each ball in powdered sugar.

Place cookies about 2 inches apart on ungreased, parchment lined cookie sheets.

Bake at 300° for 14 to 16 minutes or until the edges are set. Let the cookies cool about 3 minutes on the cookie sheets. Then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: about 5 dozen cookies depending on the size the baker selects.

Notes:

1. If you want to make the cookies for Christmas, use red and green coloring. They look great!

2. These cookies freeze very well when packed in an airtight tin.

A Cookie Lady Recipe