1. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients to form a soft dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

2. Cut and Shape

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Roll out half of the dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut out circles for faces. Knead red food coloring into the other half, roll it out, and cut triangles for Santa hats.

3. Assemble and Bake

Place the circles on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Add a red triangle to the top of each circle, folding it over for a floppy hat look. Bake for 6 minutes, or until just set. Let cool completely.

4. Decorate

Mix the confectioner’s sugar, milk, and corn syrup to make icing. Spread icing over the faces and add a line of icing at the hat’s brim. Sprinkle flaked coconut on the brim and attach a candy “pompom” at the hat’s tip. Let icing dry.

5. Add Details

Once the base icing is dry, use black icing or melted chocolate to pipe spooky eyes and a mischievous smile. Let dry completely before serving or storing.