Preheat oven to 300 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl whip butter until light and fluffy. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to creamed butter until well blended.
If dough is stick, dust hands with additional corn starch and shape dough into 1" balls. Flatten slightly with your hands. Dip in nonpareils and place on a parchment lined baking pan about 2" apart.
For pumpkin cookies, shape dough into 1" balls and place directly on baking sheet.Bake for 20-22 minutes until set but not brown.Remove from oven and immediately press a pumpkin candy onto the cookies. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.Makes 6-8 dozen.