It’s All About Hearts – Valentine Heart Sugar Cookies

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s all about hearts . . . decorated heart sugar cookies.  The design options are endless.  Have you tried decorating sugar cookies yet with Royal Icing?  There are so many different ways to say “I love You” … and today I’m saying it with cookies.  Enjoy!

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.

(I do not use the icing recipe that come with this cookie recipe.)

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!  🙂

Spring is Here – My Cupcakes Grew Flowers!

I’m so excited to “spring ahead” with the clocks this weekend which means in no time at all Spring will be here and soon I will be working in my flower and vegetable gardens and feeling the warmth of the sun.  I walked around my flower beds the other day and noticed that my lilies, tulips and daffodils are already above the ground and growing, ready to emerge into beautiful flowers.  In the meantime, why not “grow” your own instant edible flower cookies!  They are easy to decorate and make a visually stunning presentation for your next party or get together.  Celebrate spring with flower cookies!  Enjoy!

The Ultimate Sugar Cookie

• 3/4 cup Golden Crisco or Butter-flavored Crisco (shortening)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cream Crisco, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixer bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until light and creamy. combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture, mixing on low-speed until well blended. Cover dough and chill 1 hour, if desired, for easy rolling. Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll half of dough at a time. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a cookie cutter, cut in desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Roll leftover pieces. Sprinkle with colored decorations or leave plain to decorate when cool. Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are light brown. (Time will vary with cookie size.) Cool slightly, then remove to cooling rack.

For detailed instructions on how to decorate sugar cookies with royal icing you can refer to my earlier posting here.

Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies

I couldn’t let Christmas go by without making some decorated sugar cookies.  I first started decorating sugar cookies with royal icing last Christmas and fell in love with the results.  Give them a try, and impress yourself, family and friends.  Decorating cookies is really not hard, it just takes time, but the results are so worth it!  You can refer to my previous posting for instructions on decorating cookies with royal icing.

The Ultimate Sugar Cookie

• 3/4 cup Golden Crisco or Butter-flavored Crisco (shortening)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cream Crisco, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixer bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until light and creamy. combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until well blended. Cover dough and chill 1 hour, if desired, for easy rolling. Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll half of dough at a time. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a cookie cutter, cut in desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Roll leftover pieces. Sprinkle with coloured decorations or leave plain to decorate when cool. Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are light brown. (Time will vary with cookie size.) Cool slightly, then remove to cooling rack.

Decorated Easter Chocolate Cookies – A Hip a Hop a Hippidity Hop

I started decorating cookies with royal icing in December and I’m hooked!  This was my favorite fun batch of cookies yet!  The bunnies and eggs are just too cute!!  Instructions for decorating and the royal icing recipe can be found in my first post on decorating sugar cookies here.  Give it a try!

Chocolate Rolled Cookies

• 1 cup butter
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 Tablespoons chocolate liqueur or extra strong coffee (this can be made with about 1 teaspoon of instant espresso dissolved into 2 Tablespoons warm water)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

 

1.) Sift together (or gently stir with a whisk) the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.

 

2.)  With an electric mixer cream together the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until fully incorporated and fluffy.

 

3.)  Beat in egg, coffee or liqueur, and vanilla.

 

4.)  Add in flour/cocoa mixture about 1 cup at a time.  Blend until fully incorporated.  (If you are using a hand mixer you may need to add the last cup of flour by hand).

 

5.)  Divide dough into two or three large balls, place in a plastic bag and chill in the refrigerator 1-2 hours (if you’re in a hurry, you can chill the dough for about 20 minutes in the freezer).

 

6.)  Once chilled, work with one ball of dough at a time, and roll onto a lightly floured surface.  I find it works best to place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the dough, and then roll on top of the parchment.  This prevents the dough from sticking to your rolling-pin, and you also don’t need to add as much extra flour (as you would without the parchment).

 

7.)  Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters and place on a baking sheet.

 

8.)  Place the baking sheet (with cookies on it) in the freezer about 5 minutes (this helps the dough keep it’s shape when baked).

 

9.)  Bake cookies for 7-10 minutes (depending on size) in a 350*F oven.

 

10.)  Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet a few minutes and then transfer to a wire cooling rack.

 

11.)  Decorate as desired