Halloween Shortbread Cookies

Today my love had his first Halloween lunch with his pre-school friends. Normally we meet the hubs and eat lunch and then we head home so my love can take his nap. But today he was finally able to sit with his pre-school classmates and enjoy a Halloween lunch. He's been asking me if he could stay and eat lunch with his friends for some time now so he was super excited.

And it was extra special because he was able to wear his Buzz Light Year costume. To infinity and beyond!

My son is quite the social butterfly. He walks into class saying hello to everyone and runs over to his friends. When I say goodbye, he says,"See you later!" and then he blows a kiss my way. So dang cute. He's adjusted quite well to school and that makes me happy.

Whenever one of his three teachers hasn't arrived yet, he asks me to stay until that teacher arrives. He says," mommy stay with me until Ms. Sesame comes (aka Ms. Stephanie). I always get a kick out of that.

So for today's Halloween lunch I brought some baked goodies. I made some Halloween shortbread cookies using a linzer cookie cutter. I didn't have much time so it had to be a simple cookie that tasted delicious. I actually made the shortbread dough the day before. I also made the Brown Butter Spice Nature's Pride Breadsticks with Dark Chocolate Ganache.

Printable Recipe
Ingredients
Courtesy of Joy of Baking with modifications
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1/4 tsp
1 Cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature (Yikes, moderation. moderation.)
1/2 Cup Confectioners Sugar
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions
1. In a bowl whisk the flour and salt and set aside.

2. A) Using your electric mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. B) Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined. C) Add the flour and mix until incorporated.

3. Take the dough and make a round ball, flatten, wrap in saran wrap and in a ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least one hour. I let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.

4. I took my dough out and set it on the counter while I drove my love to school. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough a 1/4 inch thick. When rolling out the dough be gentle as the dough may break apart. It maybe necessary to knead the dough to soften it up. Be sure to sprinkle some flour as you're rolling the dough. Take your cookie cutter and cut and using your pastry scraper gently lift the cookies and place on lined baking sheet. If your dough seems a bit on the soft side you can place the cookies on the lined baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes so that the cookies retains its shape while baking. Preheat your oven to 350º. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool.

These cookies were unbelievably buttery and melt in your mouth delicious. I had no idea that shortbread cookies were so simple to make.

My lil Buzz Light Year had a fantastic time today. He's the happiest kid I know. After he ate his lunch, he got up and did laps around the entire classroom. 

Happy baking friends and hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween!