A yummy and fun Halloween decorating project for kids!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Add the cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs to a large bowl and stir until well combined.
Roll the dough into 2-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet at least 3 inches apart.
Bake for 7 - 9 minutes.
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and allow to completely cool before frosting and decorating.
Using an electric mixer, whip the butter until smooth (1 - 2 minutes).
Add the cocoa powder and beat for an additional 2 minutes.
On low speed, alternating, add 1/3 the confectioners' sugar to the butter mixture and beat until smooth. Add in 1 tablespoons milk (or half-and-half) then continue alternating with the remaining confectioners' sugar and milk.
If frosting is too thick, add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time until a spreadable consistency is acquired. You don't want it too thin but frosting shouldn't be so thick it won't spread on cookie. Once desired consistency is reached, beat the frosting for 1 minute.
Working with 1 cookie at a time, spread chocolate frosting over the top of a cookie. Immediately sprinkle an outline of chocolate jimmies along the outside edge of the cookie to represent fur.
Position 2 upside down candy corns near the top of the cookie for the ears. Position 2 mini M & M candies for the eyes and place a dab of chocolate frosting in the center of the M & M's for the pupils, or draw using an edible marker.
Place either a red candy heart or a red M & M in the lower center of the cookie for the nose and add 3 short licorice shoestring laces to each side of the nose to represent whiskers.
Allow the frosting to set. Position cookies in a single layer on a serving platter.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If necessary to stack cookies for storing, place a sheet of waxed paper between each layer.
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