Hoot Owl Cookies

This is a recipe that mom made with us when we were little and I requested this fall for Leah and I to make for our playgroup Halloween party. I did make one change which was to use candy corn for the noses instead of cashews. Leah's not a fan of nuts so we made the change. Just be sure to put the candy corn on AFTER you bake the cookies. Here is the recipe copied directly from an e-mail from family friend Julie Boleman who had the recipe when mom couldn't find it.

HOOT OWL COOKIES from Julie BoelmanBake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes

Cream :

1/2 t. salt

3/4 cup butter1 cup brown sugar

Blend in:

One egg

One t. vanilla

Add:

2 1/2 cups flour

2 t. baking powder

Divide the dough in thirds. To one third add

1 1/2 squares melted chocolate and

1/4 t. baking soda.

Roll white dough into two 10" by 4" strips. Form chocolate dough into two 10" rolls. Place chocolate rolls over the white dough; wrap white around the chocolate. Chill.Slice with sharp knife; place two slices together. Place a cashew nut for the beak; chocolate chips for the eyes; pinch dough for the ears.

On the backside of the recipe card Ida Mae Bock of Klemme, IA wrote: Julie, That's the recipe. Being "unambitious," I found it was easiest to shape the light dough if I measured waxed paper 10" by 4" and crease it to that size. (Have the waxed paper long enough to roll around roll when chilling.) I just pat the dough to size on the waxed paper.For Christmas, color the 1/3 dough red or green (instead of adding chocolate). Pinch the shape for bell; use a small piece of dough for the clapper.

Here's Leah making the cookies!