Flower and Butterfly Cookie Bouquet – Say it With Cookies!

Unfortunately my Mother and Dad don’t live close by.  So when I do get to travel and visit them I always like to bake things they like and bring something special.  This past trip I decided to make my mother a cookie bouquet.  She has seen my cookies on my blog, but it’s not like seeing the real thing.  And, after all, she is a very special mother and deserves a cookie bouquet!  Why not try your hand at decorating cookies for someone special in your life by making a cookie bouquet.  It really isn’t hard, you just need to invest some time and lots of love!

I also found another sugar cookie recipe which I like even better than the one I had been using.  I do not use the “frosting” recipe that is along with the sugar cookies; I use royal icing which hardens nicely for decorated sugar cookies.

Recipe Source:  food.com

Kittencal’s Buttery Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. For cookies; in a large bowl combine butter with sugar, eggs, vanilla and almond extract; beat using an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
2. In another bowl combine the flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into the butter mixture until well blended.
3. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
4. Set oven to 400°F.
5. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper (do not grease cookie sheets use parchment paper only).
6. On a very lightly floured surface roll out the dough into about 1/4-inch thickness.
7. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
8. Place cookies 2-inches apart on cookie sheet.
9. Bake 4-6 minutes.

Decorated Sugar Cookies – It’s All in The Presentation

Happy Boss’s Day to all you bosses out there!  I left one cookie out of the basket which looked great but as I was writing on it I messed up and it ended up looking like “Happy Bossy Day”!  Ha ha … there are a probably a lot of deserving people for that bossy cookie!  However, my boss is not one of them.  I lucked out in the “boss department” and have a super great boss to work for … I’m one of the lucky ones! This year I wanted to do something a little extra special that showed some creativity and thought rather than just running to the store and picking up a gift card.  I really had fun making these cookies and putting together my first golf themed cookie basket.  Use your imagination and creativity and create a one of a kind beautiful cookie basket.  Go ahead … it’s fun … use your favorite sugar cookie recipe and get baking … and get your creativity on!

You can find the royal icing recipe here and read more detailed instructions on decorating sugar cookies.

To make “cookie pops” pick up some sticks (they come in different lengths) found at craft stores like Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. Roll your cookie dough out thick enough so that you can easily place the stick in the middle of the cookie dough.  Bake as usual.  Be sure not to remove the cookies from the baking sheet until they are cooled, otherwise you will have a mess and you won’t be happy!

To assemble the basket I traced cardboard and laid it on the bottom of the basket.  I then took Styrofoam and put that on top and hot glued the Styrofoam to the cardboard.  Fill any extra space with shredded paper filler and make sure it is packed in tight so the Styrofoam will not  move around.

Cut out 7×7 squares of tissue paper and poke a hole in the middle.  Slide the tissue paper up the cookie pop, just below the cookie.    Pinch it around so it looks good and adhere the tissue paper to the pop stick.  Arrange your cookies by placing in the Styrofoam.

When all cookies are arranged, place your basket in a clear gift bag and secure with a large bow.  Now … stand back and admire your hard work!  🙂