Spooky Halloween Trees

1. 1

   Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in bowl; set aside.

2. 2

   Combine 1/2 cup butter and sugar in bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy.

3. 3

   Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed.

4. 4

   Add flour mixture; beat at low speed until well mixed.

5. 5

   Divide dough in half.

6. 6

   Shape each half into ball; flatten slightly.

7. 7

   Wrap each in plastic food wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm.

8. 8

   Heat oven to 325F.

9. 9

   Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-half at a time, (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 12x7-inch rectangle.

10. 10

    (Trim edges if necessary.)

11. 11

    Cut rectangle in half lengthwise with pizza cutter or sharp knife.

12. 12

    Make 5 crosswise cuts in each half, 2 inches apart, creating 12 (3 1/2x2-inch) rectangles.

13. 13

    Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

14. 14

    Bake 6-8 minutes or just until set.

15. 15

    Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack.

16. 16

    Cool completely.

17. 17

    Combine all frosting ingredients in bowl, adding enough half & half for desired spreading consistency.

18. 18

    Beat at low speed until well mixed.

19. 19

    Cut licorice twists into 3-inch lengths.

20. 20

    Cut slits on 1 end of licorice using sharp knife or kitchen shears to within 1 inch of other end to form tree with 3 or 4 branches.

21. 21

    Carefully bend or peel apart branches.

22. 22

    Working with 2 or 3 cookies at a time so frosting doesnt harden, frost cookies.

23. 23

    Place licorice tree onto frosting; sprinkle with Halloween sprinkles or decorator sugars, if desired.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.