Al a Carte Cookies

Growing up in Windom at lunch we had an al a carte window where we could purchase extras outside of the regular lunch lines.  I think the cookies with pink frosting, which generally ran off the cookie, were my favorite. I found this recipe and added some red food coloring to the frosting and it brought me right back.

2 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl stir together flour, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside. In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.*  Bake 8 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand on cookie sheet for a couple minutes and remove to wire rack. Frost when cool with vanilla buttercream frosting.

*I used a cookie scoop and mine turned out fairly small. I think you might be able to make them a little larger and adjust the cooking time a couple minutes.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

3 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-2 Tbsp. milk
4-5 drops red food coloring

In a bowl mix powdered sugar and butter with spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and one tablespoon milk. Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable.  Stir in 4-5 drops red food coloring.  If frosting is too thick beat in a little more milk, a few drops at a time.  I like my frosting a little thicker so they set up nicely for stacking during storage, if they last that long.

Enjoy!