Campfire Cookies

Name: Campfire Cookies
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1-1/2 cups sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 10 cherry Jolly Rancher hard candies, crushed; 1 pouch (7 ounces) green decorating icing; 1/2 cup chocolate wafer crumbs; 36 pretzel sticks

The start of cold weather here in Colorado means bonfire season. What better way to celebrate than with these campfire cookies! —Callie Washer, Conifer, Colorado

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 cherry Jolly Rancher hard candies, crushed
1 pouch (7 ounces) green decorating icing
1/2 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
36 pretzel sticks

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
Shape level tablespoons of dough into balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass. Bake until edges are light brown, 8-10 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
Meanwhile, spread crushed candies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until candy is melted, 5-7 minutes. Cool completely on pan on a wire rack. Break into pieces.
Spread icing over cookies; sprinkle with wafer crumbs. Arrange broken candies to make campfire flames. For logs, break pretzel sticks in half. Place 3 halves, broken edge down, in the wet icing. Hold in place until set.

Test Kitchen tips

If the bottom of the glass sticks to the dough, dip it in flour before flattening the balls into cookie shapes.

The cookies can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container overnight until you are ready to decorate.