For The Love of Milk Duds

Halloween is riding up on our heels and with that, I have found myself obsessed with thoughts of Halloween and more specifically...Halloween Candy.

I love Halloween, not just because Ghost Walks is Friday, October 29th...and I will be right in the mix of things that go bump in the night at Olde Towne, but moreover it is one of the most enjoyable kid's holidays, like ever.

I am one big kid, too. I am not into the scary, scary stuff, although I have promised a certain Little Brother of mine that I would go to see Paranormal Activity 2 this coming weekend with he and Russia. There must be buttery soaked popcorn involved or I will not go. I'm serious.

Every evening, in Olde Towne, there is a certain select group that gets together for a "happy hour" of sorts. I call it "time spent in the tree house". We gather at an apartment that is on the top floor of a four story building. It's pretty high up there. No elevators, either. If you walk out onto the back porch of said apartment, you feel like you are in a tree house because there are literally tree branches all around. It's the best place to wind down one's day and it gives us all a chance to catch up. The group is one of my cores and I trust them all.

Last night, we watched "Scare Tactics", a show hosted by Tracy Morgan where "victims" are scared by different scenario's played by very good actors. Of course, the scenes are staged well enough to scare the bejezzus out of the victims. We laughed and laughed. Then somehow, someone came up with the idea that they should do something like this. Then the men looked at the women.

Oh, heck no.

I will not fall prey to their shenanigans. I better not or someone will be in big trouble.

If I do fall for their tricks, then said perpetrators will not get any of my candy or my Halloween goodies. My favorite Halloween Candy, besides candy corn, is the little packages of Milk Duds. Oh my absolute goodness. I adore those little balls of buttery, gooey, caramelly love dipped in a chocolate jacket.

I will share a wonderful recipe with you. This is great for Halloween treats for your family and friends. Never ever give these to those "stupid boys" who like to scare innocent victims. I swear, if I get caught in their trap, I will not be held responsible for their safety. I will kick the all and then they will not get my special Milk Dud Cookies.

I promise. But, for you...you get the recipe. I am good like that.

MILK DUD COOKIES...Oh, my....yumminess.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 and 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening (Crisco Butter Flavored)

1 and 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

2 cups granulated sugar, divided

1 and 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

4 eggs

3 and 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 (10 oz) package Milk Duds

In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening, the peanut butter, and 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar, and the brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring after each addition. Combine the dry ingredients and add to the creamed mixture until thoroughly blended. Chill in the fridge for at least one hour.

Shape 4 teaspoons of dough around a Milk Dud (Ball of Goodness) until completely covered. Roll ball in remaining granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes on metal racks.

Makes about 8 dozen cookies. I want at least that many for myself, so I double the recipe. I can be nice sometimes.

I said...sometimes, but in the case of these friends of mine...if I get scared, someone is gonna pay.

I swear.

This is Home Girl and I'm not playing ya'll.