What child doesn't like a decorated cookie? What mother likes to do the decorating? Some do. Some don't. If you have a couple preschoolers tearing up the house, the last thing you have time to tackle is decorating fancy cookies.

The word “COOKIE” has a magic sound to a child's ears. You might even get them to lie down for a nap, if you promise cookies when they wake up. I know. I used bribery as a parenting tool when mine were at that changeable stage between diapers and pull-ups. It works, if you vary the bribe.

St. Patrick's Day is upon us. I know the toddlers won't appreciate it, but your pre-teens will. Also, if you are a room mother at school and March is your turn, these cookies will fit right in. After all, they say everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, even an old German-Hungarian like me.

Of course, I usually wear orange to get a rise out of the Irish. It works. Irish parents have been known to get a bit feisty when their green is challenged. Be forewarned. Unless you are a dyed-in-the-wool UT fan, then make 'em orange and let the cookies fall where they may!.

SHAMROCK COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 generous cups plain flour (not sifted)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

In large bowl cream together butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. In separate bowl, mix flour, cream of tartar and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture. Chill dough until firm, an hour or so will do. Using a tablespoon of dough, roll with your hands into balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten with wet paper towel covered bottom of glass. Bake at 350 F. for 8 to 10 minutes until edges turn golden. Meanwhile, while the dough is chilling make a batch of Butter Cream Frosting. Tint it green, as green as you like.

BUTTER CREAM FROSTING
8 ounce pkg cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
Green food coloring
16-ounce pkg powdered sugar, sifted
1 package of shredded coconut.

Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Tint with green food dye. (If your kids like mint, flavor with mint flavoring to taste.) Pour coconut into large flat pan. Fluff up coconut with a fork. Spread each cookie with green Butter Cream Frosting, then dip in coconut. Set aside on newspaper covered table to set frosting. Store in covered container with wax paper between layers.
P.S. Don't tint the cookie dough green. That would be too much green.