Spooky Halloween Trees

Directions

1. 1
   Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in bowl; set aside.
2. 2
   Combine 1/2 cup butter and sugar in bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy.
3. 3
   Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed.
4. 4
   Add flour mixture; beat at low speed until well mixed.
5. 5
   Divide dough in half.
6. 6
   Shape each half into ball; flatten slightly.
7. 7
   Wrap each in plastic food wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm.
8. 8
   Heat oven to 325F.
9. 9
   Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-half at a time, (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 12x7-inch rectangle.
10. 10
    (Trim edges if necessary.)
11. 11
    Cut rectangle in half lengthwise with pizza cutter or sharp knife.
12. 12
    Make 5 crosswise cuts in each half, 2 inches apart, creating 12 (3 1/2x2-inch) rectangles.
13. 13
    Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
14. 14
    Bake 6-8 minutes or just until set.
15. 15
    Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack.
16. 16
    Cool completely.
17. 17
    Combine all frosting ingredients in bowl, adding enough half & half for desired spreading consistency.
18. 18
    Beat at low speed until well mixed.
19. 19
    Cut licorice twists into 3-inch lengths.
20. 20
    Cut slits on 1 end of licorice using sharp knife or kitchen shears to within 1 inch of other end to form tree with 3 or 4 branches.
21. 21
    Carefully bend or peel apart branches.
22. 22
    Working with 2 or 3 cookies at a time so frosting doesnt harden, frost cookies.
23. 23
    Place licorice tree onto frosting; sprinkle with Halloween sprinkles or decorator sugars, if desired.