Flower Surprise Cookies

STEP 1

Combine butter and sugar in bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Add egg, half & half and vanilla. Continue beating, scraping bowl occasionally, until well mixed. Add flour and baking powder; beat at low speed until combined. Add food color, if desired; mix well.

STEP 2

Divide dough in half. Shape each half into ball; flatten slightly. Wrap each in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour.

STEP 3

Heat oven to 350°F.

STEP 4

Roll out dough, one ball at a time, (keeping remaining dough refrigerated) on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut each into 12 (4-inch) flowers. Cut center out of half the flowers using 2-inch round cookie cutter. Place cookies onto ungreased baking sheets.

STEP 5

Bake 8-10 minutes or until cookies are set and just beginning to brown around edges. Cool completely.

STEP 6

Melt candy coating according to package directions. Spoon into resealable plastic food bag; snip off tip of one corner.

STEP 7

Assemble each cookie by piping candy coating around edges of solid cookie flower; place cut-out cookie on top, pressing lightly to adhere. Pipe line of candy coating around edges of cut-out cookie; top with second cut-out cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies. Let stand 5 minutes or until candy coating is set. Decorate tops of cookies with remaining melted coating.

STEP 8

Fill each cookie flower with small candies. Place solid cookie flower on top to form lid. Decorate, as desired.