Looking for a fun treat for your next school game or tailgate party?  I found this great recipe in the September 2002 issue of “Family Fun” magazine, contributed by Ken Haerich … Enjoy!

1/2 C unsalted butter, room temp
4 Tbls shortening
1/2 C sugar
1/3 C light brown sugar
2 egg yolks (from large eggs)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1-3/4 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Small package of butterscotch chips (for footballs), confectioner’s icing, and black decorator’s gel (for soccer balls).

Small aluminum can with both ends cut out, squished slightly to make a pointy oval (to cut out footballs); for soccer, don’t squish the can.

1.  Cream butter and shortening, gradually beating in white and brown sugar, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla.

2. In medium bowl measure flour, baking powder, and salt; stir. Using wooden spoon, stir the dry mixture into creamed ingredients about 1/3 at a time, until blended. If dough is still sticky, stir in 2-3 more Tbls flour.

3. Pat dough into disk about 1/2 inch thick, and place in center of a square of plastic wrap. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate 2-3 hours, until firm enough to roll out.

4. Preheat oven to 350, and lightly grease baking sheet. Put chilled dough on lightly floured surface, and roll with floured pin until dough is a little more than 1/8 inch thick. Cut out cookies and transfer to baking sheet. Bake about 12 minutes, until edges start to brown.

5. If you’re making footballs, sprinkle 10-15 butterscotch chips on each cooky while still warm, and spread to cover. Arrange a row of white sprinkles in a parallel line to look like football lace across top of cooky. Let cool.

6.  If you’re making soccer balls, allow cookies to cool completely before frosting. Combine 2 C confectioners sugar, 2 Tbls soft butter, and 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 Tbls milk in a bowl and beat with electric mixer until smooth. Frost cooled cookies, then take a toothpick and etch five pentagons, connecting with black lines to look like a soccer ball.

Makes 12-18 cookies.

Looking for something a little healthier? Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur (author of “Spiritual Woman” and “Moments of Beauty” blogs) shares this Eggless Zucchini Bread recipe for those with special dietary needs. Thanks, Patrice!