HALLOWEEN: Bat Cookies
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You need a bat cookie cutter to make these cute cookies, but they’re worth it. If you can’t find one locally, buy a bat cookie cutter online and make bat cookies an annual tradition.
The recipe is courtesy California Raisins, whose delicious raisins are used in the cookies. There are many more recipes on the website. Ingredients For 16 Cookies pieces |
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Preparation 1. MEASURE flour, sugar and baking powder into bowl for food processor with steel blade, and pulse a couple of times to combine. (*If mixing by hand, see footnote.) Then add cold butter and pulse until crumbly. Finally, add vanilla and ice water, a little at a time, and pulse until dough comes together and cleans sides of bowl. 2. KNEAD in chopped raisins. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces, wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper and chill for 30 minutes. 3. PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment; set aside. 4. PLACE dough on lightly floured work surface, one piece at a time, and roll into a 10×12-inch rectangle about 3/8-inch thick. With bat-shaped cookie cutter, cut into 16 cookies. Arrange on cookie sheet close together. 5. BEAT egg with pinch of salt and brush lightly onto cookies; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Remove to cool on a wire rack. 6. DECORATE. When cookies have cooled, melt semisweet chocolate and use a small amount to attach raisins for ears and M&Ms as eyes. Cool completely and store in an airtight container. |
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 You can use the cookie cutter to make iced shortbread or sugar cookie bats. Photo courtesy Old River Road. |
BAT TRIVIA Bats are furry mammals, not birds. Their forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. Other mammals said to fly can only glide for short distances. Bats look like flying mice, screech when scared, and get a bad rap for being dangerous. While some species consume animal blood, most do not, and are not harmful to humans.† Bats live throughout most of the world, performing the vital ecological roles of pollinating flowers and dispersing fruit seeds. Many tropical plant species depend entirely on bats for the distribution of their seeds. They are also important for consume insect pests, reducing the need for pesticides. Their “evil” reputation came from the Dracula stories. |
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†They can spread disease if they bite—so don’t provoke them. |
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