Unique Halloween Costumes

What to be for Halloween?  A cat, a ghost, a witch, a princess, a cheerleader? Been there done that!  I like to be something unique!! But every year it seems like we wait until the the last minute to do our Halloween costumes.  Most of the time we don't even know what we're doing until the night before!  

This year may have been my best idea ever.  What you may ask could be the ultimate Halloween costume?  Well let me start by saying I don't like anything too scary, bloody, difficult, etc.  Family and kid friendly is the way to go.  :)  

So what was I this year? (drumroll please.....) A CHRISTMAS TREE!!  And you know what?!  It was so easy!  

Here was my Pinspiration.  Not too bad (for the night before) if you ask me! All I did was take a green crew neck sweatshirt and pin on garland and Christmas ornaments.  With leggings and boots you're good to go!

Now if you want to go all out, you can add ribbon and bows to your boots.  (Presents under the tree)  And wear yellow gloves.  (A star)  

You'll have to stand with your hands above your head to get the full effect.  Now when you're our trick-or-treating use a gift bag to carry your candy.

Our English class also had some great costume ideas.  Yes, it's a class of all girls...and it's the most amazing class ever!  But anyways back to the point.  One girl was even a leaf blower! Definitely going to keep the flower and energizer bunny on tabs for next year!

Pumpkin Snicker Doodles

From September to November everything I make involved pumpkin.  EVERYTHING.  Pumpkin yogurt, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin squares, pumpkin pumpkin and more pumpkin!

In the spring I came upon these White Chocolate Pumpkin Snickerdoodles from Sally's Baking Addiction.  Of course I pinned it!  Pumpkin cookies....I couldn't pass them up! When she says they deserve a standing ovation she's not kidding.  

Since it was October, I decided to make them for my bake sale. Well of course (being a new recipe) I had to do a trial run...  BAD IDEA!!  I have this problem where I sample devour the dough. Before a single snicker doodle was baked over half the dough was gone.  WARNING: do not sample the dough! (unless you want to eat it all...)

When I finally got a batch baked, you guessed it!  Yep, I tried one a dozen of them too!  Let's just say by the time my family came in only a couple cookies were left.  Whoops!  

Pumpkin Snicker Doodles

by Simple and Sweet Creations

6071087

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups white sugar, divided
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and 1 cup white sugar until no lumps remain. Whisk in vanilla and pumpkin until smooth.

Stir in flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and 3 teaspoons cinnamon. Fold in chocolate chips.

Cover and chill 30 minutes (or up to 3 days). CHILLING IS MANDATORY

Preheat oven to 350* F. Roll dough into balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each).

In a medium bowl, combine remaining 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

Roll dough balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture and place on baking sheet.

Slightly flatten balls and bake 10-12 minutes.

Powered by Recipage

Snicker Doodles

If you haven't guessed it already, I absolutely love Christmas! Not because I get presents and go shopping (well...those are pretty great too) but mostly because I get to give everyone gifts. Really. I look forward to it all year.

But since I have so many teachers it's hard to get them something they'll use that's not too expensive. Last year I may have given my teachers the best gift yet.  Everyone gives baked goods or little homemade treats. But unbaked goods? Now we're talkin!

Yep that's exactly what I did!  I gave each of my teachers a box of cookie dough balls. They loved it too! Why? Because who wants more sweets over the holidays? Since these were unbaked they could be saved for later.

Just one thing...make sure you include baking instructions...

Snicker Doodles

:Ingredients:

1 cup butter flavored Crisco shortening

2 eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon cream of tarter

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/4 cups flour

Cinnamon Sugar

:Directions:

In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the first six ingredients.

Stir in flour, adding more if batter is too sticky.

Roll balls in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake at 350* for 8 to 10 minutes.

Copyright © 2014, Grace George. Simple and Sweet Creations. All Rights Reserved.

Click for printable recipe.