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1
Combine butter and sugar in bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy.
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2
Add egg, half & half and vanilla.
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3
Continue beating, scraping bowl occasionally, until well mixed.
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4
Add flour and baking powder; beat at low speed until combined.
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5
Add food color, if desired; mix well.
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6
Divide dough in half.
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7
Shape each half into ball; flatten slightly.
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8
Wrap each in plastic food wrap.
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9
Refrigerate 1 hour.
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10
Heat oven to 350F.
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11
Roll out dough, one ball at a time, (keeping remaining dough refrigerated) on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
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12
Cut into 16 (2 1/2-inch) squares.
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13
Cut center out of half the squares using 1 3/4-inch cookie cutter.
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14
Place cookies onto ungreased baking sheets.
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15
Bake 8-10 minutes or until cookies are set and just beginning to brown around edges.
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16
Cool completely.
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17
Melt candy coating according to package directions.
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18
Spoon into resealable plastic food bag; snip off tip of one corner.
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19
Assemble each box by piping candy coating around edges of solid cookie square; place cut-out cookie square on top, pressing lightly to adhere.
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20
Pipe line of candy coating around edges of cut-out cookie; top with second cut-out cookie.
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21
Repeat with remaining cookies.
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22
Let stand 5 minutes or until candy coating is set.
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23
Fill each cookie box with small candies.
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24
Place solid cookie square on top to form lid.
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25
Tie with ribbon or decorate, as desired.
