Leprechaun Hat Cookies

From BETTY CROCKER

Makes 24 cookies

Those little leprechauns left behind their hats and transformed them into tasty cookies for your St Patrick’s Day celebration!

INGREDIENTS

1 pouch BETTY CROCKER sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 container (1 lb) BETTY CROCKER Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
1/4 teaspoon BETTY CROCKER green gel food color
24 large marshmallows
24 small (1-inch) chewy chocolate candies
12 small green gumdrops

DIRECTIONS

1.Heat oven to 375 degrees. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, and egg until soft dough forms. Roll dough in 24 (1-inch) balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place 2 inches apart.

2.Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are light golden brown. Immediately place marshmallow on each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

3.In microwavable bowl, microwave frosting on High 30 seconds; stir (frosting should be a thick spoonable glaze). Stir food color into frosting, adding more if needed, to achieve desired color. Spoon warm frosting over each cookie, coating completely and allowing excess to drip off. Let stand 20 minutes to set.

4.Roll chocolate candies into ropes. Flatten with rolling pin into 1/8-inch-thick ribbons. Cut into strips with scissors to resemble hat bands; arrange around base of marshmallow on each cookie. Cut gumdrops crosswise in half (reshaping as needed). Press cut side onto hat band. Lift cookies onto serving platter with pancake turner, leaving excess frosting behind. Store in airtight container.

TIP: You can use chocolate chip cookie mix for the sugar cookie mix.

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at bettycrocker.com