BLACK CAT COOKIES ON A STICK

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
24 wooden craft or Popsicle sticks
48 candy corn candies
24 red-hot candies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets.

Insert a wooden stick into each cookie. Flatten with a glass dipped in sugar. Pinch top of cookie to form ears. To make whiskers, press a fork twice into each cookie.

Bake at 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set. Remove from oven; immediately press on candy corn for eyes and red-hots for noses. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Makes 2 dozen cookies
Source: Celebrations Cookbook by Taste of Home