Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Nutty Fun


I hate mornings that end with me yelling at my kids before they walk out the door to the bus. Hate it, hate it, hate it. Always swore I'd never be that Mom. So for pete's sake, why can't my child put his hat and coat in the same place every evening so we don't have to run around like crazy people trying to find it every morning? Dr. Daddy thinks I should get up earlier and have everything laid out. Um, no dear, this is not Leave it to Beaver. Who's going to lay out his crap when he's 25? I guess we just need to wake up (even) earlier so he can get ahold of his stuff before the bus comes and has to wait on us. Sheesh!

Now for something fun! My chronic volunteer disease has torpedoed me to the status of room Mom for 32 JK'ers and 20 1st graders. Obviously, I needed an EASY snack for both Halloween parties. I saw these ADORABLE ghost/mummy cookies online and decided to go for it. Here's what you'll need:




Nutter Butter cookies (I believe they come 30 per package)
white candy melts (available at craft store or wherever Wilton products are sold)
Small tube black icing

The white candy discs melt very easily. I just put them in a glass bowl and microwave them at 50% power for 1 minute intervals until they're completely melted. Stir with a wooden spoon. Then just throw in four or five Nutter Butters and stir them around. Get them good and coated with the melted candy and then set them on a cookie cooling rack that's set on top of parchment paper. They will drip a bit. After they've hardened a little (a few minutes) take a fork and dip it into the melted candy to the point that the candy is dripping off the fork. Then just go back and forth over the cookies to make diagonal stripes (kind of like dangling a string over a cat). Repeat until you've filled your cooling rack and then put the whole thing in the fridge to set for about 10 minutes. Then take your black icing and make tiny little eyes. (I used the gel type of icing and I wouldn't recommend it. It doesn't really dry and if you're planning to put the cookies into any type of bag it will smear).




Now, you're done! How easy was that? If you have students in the class with peanut allergies you could use Milano cookies instead or even the vanilla flavored sandwich cookies that are oblong in shape.

I put mine in these adorable little Martha Stewart bags that I found at AC Moore. I also put a little candy corn in the bottom for color. I only did one cookie per child. These kids are sweet enough already, right?! (gag)




If your kids are in a school that doesn't celebrate Halloween...no worries! I had lots of fun last week making these Fall themed cookies for BabyGirl to take to Show and Tell. The theme was "something to do with Fall". We did leaves and pumpkins. Before you get too impressed, know that I did NOT make homemade dough. I use the tub of pre-made dough from Toll House. It's so easy...you just roll it out, cut and cook. They don't taste half bad, either! Then I use the Wilton Color Flow mix to do the icing. It's time consuming, but the final product can't be beat!




27 comments:

Unknown said...

Don't feel bad - we all have mornings like that! Those cookies are absolutely adorable! Love the presentation too!

Ned said...

Hey what is your email? leave me a comment. Are you still looking for a paint color for your front door?

Stephanie said...

When I read your blog I feel so inadequate.

You could possibly be the best almost-Martha Stewart ever.

I try, but alas, I give up too easily.

just ask beth said...

I just had this conversation with my hubby this morning.. I am taking a half day to organize all of their clothes to avoid this crying fest in the morning.. Why do WE have to get up earlier. My husband couldn't even find a long sleeve shirt in his haze this morning!! I told my girls to pick out their clothes the night before and I will say yes/No! I am HR mom too! Thanks for the idea and we do indeed have Peanut allergies.. Milano cookies are peanut free? I didn't know that.. Thank goodness your children wear uniforms.

FROGGITY! said...

these cookies are gorgeous!!! happy halloween!

Mrs LSL said...

The nutter butter cookies are TOO cute!

just ask beth said...

What is your email address I have the funniest "political" cartoon even our children will understand

just ask beth said...

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Lexy said...

you are incredibly talented! I'm in awe!

Sandra said...

Those cookies are the cutest that I have seen. I wish I had had that idea back - way back:)- when I was doing the PTSO, volunteer at elem. school stuff. You are bound to be the fave because all your ideas are the cutest :) Happy Halloween to you and your darlin' children. Have fun!!

Molly said...

Fabulous! I wish I could bake like you.

News Readin' Wife said...

Seriously. How in the hell can I compete with that?

That's it. No kids. None.

They would shuffling to the bus with a box of Entenmann's in a plastic bag.

On a kind note - they look downright professional.

Leslie said...

Love the Halloween cookies!! I am a big fan Halloween themed food! However, mine never come out as cute as yours! Great job! I am sure the kids loved them!!

Hokie Girl said...

Those look YUMMY!!! Too bad my little man's "fall harvest" party is tomorrow...I would have gladly tried out the sugar cookies! I guess I could still make them for next month sometime!

Surf Girl said...

Those cookies are so cute. I made the ghost cookies for a party last year. And I feel your morning pain - totally yelled at my 4 year old this morning about gloves. Seriously, could we not have to search for gloves EVERY morning!

Jessica Ryan said...

Love those adorable cookies! Must try them... and yep, we are a peanut-free school so I will try with the Oreo dippers! (Oreos are allowed I think!)

Steph said...

I used to make those ghost cookies years ago and just last week thought about doing them again! They are sooo cute aren't they!

Mason's Mommy said...

I love your blog. I came across it through another blog. I know exactly what you are talking about about being "that mom". I swore also but there are still those days I AM her. Also, I have the darling hubby who I also have to find keys, cell phone, belts, etc. for in the mornings besides the 4 year old's things.

I love the cookies. I may have to do that for my son's class. I wish I had known about them before I ordered the ghost cookies from the bakery at $25 per dozen!

Piper Jacquelyn said...

How adorable are those mummies?! Such a great idea for a kid's treat at school...Nice job.

Michelle J said...

I just love these ideas. You are an amazing mother. Thanks for all the great hints.

Michelle J said...

Thanks so much for your amazing ideas. I love these. You are the best!!!

Gigi said...

Adorable! But easy-are you kidding me??? You must be Martha Stewart's little sister!

Maridith said...

Good ideas. Thanks. BTW- check out my blog I need your input on what color I should paint my shutters. Love your taste and your tude!

have a lovely said...

yummy!!! your ghosts cookies are fabulous and who doesn't love a nutter butter!!!

3 Peanuts said...

Thiese look easy and yumy...I'll try them um next year!

just ask beth said...

Made the COOKIES.. Absolute hit and I told them to visit your BLOG. They were like Beth you think of the Best things to do, uh, not so much, I was a copycat this time!! Thanks, safc!

leigh said...

OMG I'm so impressed! Love the cookies. By the way I'm that crazy mom every morning only i'm usually yell "where's your OTHER shoe" and "You can't wear those flip flops to school!"