Icebox cookies are classic. It’s easy to understand. They’re simple. They’re pretty and they remind me of my wonderful Grandmother who was one smart cookie and breezy entertainer. She knew that icebox cookies could be prepared ahead of time and then, shared at a moments notice.

Today, we’re turning this classic into a fun Halloween Treat: Googly-eye IceBox Cookie Pops, in a snap. I guarantee smiles when the kids both make and see these treats. They’re a great way to animate the ordinary and create an interactive cookie!

The recipe is a super, simple, make-ahead recipe so that you can just focus on the fun of creativity and enjoyment!

• 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Confectioner Sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 teaspoons Vanilla
• 5 cups flour
• 2/3 cup milk
• Chocolate-colored candy coated candies, such as brown M&M’s
• Chocolate for melting and confectioner’s pastry bag for piping (optional, for hand-drawn eyes)
• Wooden Skewers or cookie pop sticks
• Green food coloring

Mix butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and the salt, and mix well. Beat in milk and vanilla. Add flour a little at a time, mixing it in until all of it has been incorporated.

Divide the dough into two balls, one for each color. 3/4’s of the dough will be green and the other 1/4 will remain natural. Set aside the natural dough and mix the green dough well. I find that gel dyes have a stronger color and prefer to use these colors.

Wrap each ball of dough in its own sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Sprinkle rolling surface with flour and roll out the green dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

Next, roll the natural dough into a 1/2- to 1 1/2- inch-thick rod; chill 20 minutes. Place rod on edge of rolled-out dough and roll rod inside sheet of dough. Cut the dough where it meets up. Seal by pinching and pressing gently. Chill 20 minutes, then repeat to add other layers.

Roll this log in parchment, baking or waxed paper; twist the ends of the paper closed. Chill log until solid, at least 2 hours or overnight.

To make: Cut 15 inches of dental floss to cute. Let log soften for about 10 minutes. Remove parchment. Wrap floss around log and pull through. Make the slices thin: 1/4 inch or less.

Place slices on parchment and press the chocolate candies onto the inner whites to create eyes. Press a wooden skewer into the base of a the cookies, if you would like cookie pops.

Preheat oven: 350 degrees. Place slices on an ungreased baking sheet on baking paper and bake until just brown. This is about 10-15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Version 2: Hand-Drawn Eyes

If you prefer to decorate cookies with hand drawn eyes. Add eyes after the cookies have baked and cooled.

1. Melt Chocolate
2. Fill Pastry bag with chocolate.
3. Pipe eyes directly onto baked cookies that have cooled.
4. Let the icing cool and harden before serving.

Happy baking ;-)