Birthday Cake

This morning I woke to the sound of
rustling candy wrappers.  Stella had poured all of her Halloween candy out
of her witch bag and onto the floor.  Noah was helping her organize
it.  I remember doing the same thing when I was little.  Last night
before she went to bed, she kept telling me to make sure the boys didn't take
her candy.

Yesterday was spooktacular :)  It
was filled with pumpkin waffles and apple cider syrup, a Halloween parade, a
witch, my very favorite sugar cookies, a vampire, trunk-or-treating, a
"chick" magnet, frosting and sprinkles, family, chili and of course,
Provo bakery doughnuts (glazed with chocolate frosting), Halloween wouldn't be
the same without them.      

My
Favorite Sugar Cookies

1/2
cup shortening

1/2
cup butter, room temperature

1/2
cup granulated sugar

1/2
cup powdered sugar

1
large egg

1
teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1
teaspoon pure almond extract

1/2
teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2
teaspoon baking soda

1/2
teaspoon salt

2
cups all-purpose flour

Preheat
oven to 375 degrees F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Sift
together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside. 
Place shortening, butter and sugars in a large bowl of electric stand mixer and
beat until light in color.  Add egg, vanilla extract and almond extract
and beat to combine.  With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and
mix until combined.  If dough seems too sticky add a little more
flour.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. 
Remove dough from refrigerator, sprinkle rolling pin lightly with flour and
roll out dough to desired thickness (about 1/4-inch).  Cut into desired
shapes and place on baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies
are just beginning to brown around the edges.  Cool completely on wire
rack before frosting.

Sugar
Cookie Frosting

1/2
cup butter, room temperature

2
teaspoons vanilla

1
teaspoon almond extract

1/8
teaspoon salt (heaping)

3
1/2 cups powdered sugar

Milk
or cream

Place
butter in bowl of electric mixer and beat until smooth.  Add vanilla and
almond extract and salt.  With mixer on low, gradually add powdered
sugar.  Add enough milk or cream to reach desired consistency.

Recipe
from my mom