I did it. I’m sooooooo excited. I have been wanting to learn how to make homemade decorated sugar cookies since I started this website. But, I’ve been putting it off because they really intimidated me. The whole homemade dough thing. (As far as sugar cookies go, I grew up making the refrigerated Pillsbury kind. You know what I’m talking about.) Not to mention, I didn’t have a rolling pin. That’s right. Me. No rolling pin. Never owned one. Then, there’s the whole royal icing issue, in two consistencies, and making sure it doesn’t dry out. It just always seemed like too much. Then I came across the book, Cookie Craft
. And, wow, everything just seemed possible. My dreams of smooth sugar-coated cookies could come true. So, I bought the book and then, went a couple of stores over to Williams-Sonoma and bought my very own rolling pin… a silicone one… look how pretty it is. (Yes, I probably overpaid, but I was in the moment and had to have one.)
It worked wonderfully with some very helpful tips and tricks from the book.
Now, I don’t really own that many cookie cutters, so I used this set of Ateco daisy cutters that I had on hand to do most of my experimenting. Thought they would be a great way to practice flowers.
So far, so good. Guess this might not be so hard after all.
Now, skip ahead the several bowls of icing color, squeeze bottles, sugar crystals, and toothpicks that covered my kitchen table and ta-dah… beautiful sugary flowers.
I’m really excited about how they came out. Not too shabby for my first go at it. Especially since I have a really hard time piping. Now, all you veteran cookie bakers, cut me a little slack here. I know I can improve a lot on the look of these, but, oh how much fun it will be to practice getting better. Think of all the poor cookies I’ll have to sacrifice as test subjects. Yay!!!
I also made some teddy bears with this batch. They’re so cute. I think I’m in love with them.
And, after all that work, this is what makes it so worth while.
Thanks Cookie Craft, for giving me the guts to go for it. I love it when things work out like you hope. And, your recipe and directions were perfect. I guess it’s true, you never know what you’re capable of until you try.
Now, for the good news. I liked this book so much, I went and bought another one just for you.
ENTER TO WIN!
Want your very own copy of Cookie Craft?
Just leave a comment below with an answer to these cookie questions.
What’s your favorite homemade cookie?
What’s your favorite store-bought cookie?
- Make sure to leave your email or a link back to your blog with your comment so I can contact you if you win.
- Cutoff to enter is Friday, September 26th at midnight.
- The winner will be announced sometime Saturday.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
The Giveaway is over. Commenter #419, Amylouwho wins a copy of the book.
Thanks for playing everyone!
Note: The winner will be chosen using the random.org integer generator.
My mom discovered Cookie Craft (aka, Cookie Bible) a couple of years ago. LOVE IT! Our first batch was large sunflowers that we made as favors for a baby shower. We get lots of requests for birthday, wedding and baby shower favors. I get all warm and fuzzy with the final result, pretty and delish!
how you paint with icing???? wow
Me and my mom did a lot of it and we decorated our chistmas tree with it. So fun, try it too! =)
My favourite homemade cookie is my aunts French lace cookies.
My favorite store bought cookie is a chocolate chip cookie.
What makes it so worthwhile? A fat kid eating and breaking everything you made? Seriously, that kid needs to go on a diet.
I love your website! I’ve been on it every single day since I discovered it last week. So many beautiful ideas!!
Favorite store bought cookie: Oreos (Double Stuff) and those Lemonaid girl scout cookies
Favorite homemade cookie: Sugar Cookies with orange zest in them and my great great grandmother’s molasses cookies
homemade: Chocolate chip of course!!
store bought: Do Whippets count as cookies?
:) You’re the best Bakerella
My favorite homemade cookie has to be a wam chewing chocolate chip cookie. My husband differs with me and love an oatmeal.
My favorite store bought has to be Oreo’s. Though my husband just said he loves the Christmas butter cookies with the sprinkles on them.
these a favourite with my girls
they are a great thing to have after school
bea
xxx
YUM! those look great. I’m bookmarking this recipe.
How did you make the icing sooo smooth?? they’re gorgeous!!! you’re soo talented!!! thanks for sharing!!!
Adorable cookies my favorite!
Such a nice post. i love the way you do it, very creative. you can used this to become your gift, i want to learn how to make that kind of cookies it seems a lot of fun to do that, looking forward to your next post,
-ashlene-
It sounds fun,I will ask my kids to join me while baking this great stuff.
-Grace
What’s your favorite homemade cookie?
*White Chocolate with Macadamia Nut Cookies
What’s your favorite store-bought cookie?
*Chocolate Sparkle Cooke* – Thomas Haas
You should get a book called “The Golden Book of Cookies” I’m super excited for the book as has over 300 recipes for different types of cookies. I have the other book by the same author called “The Golden Book of Chocolate”! It’s amazing! :)
My favorite homemade cookies are soft and chewy chocolate chip.
My favorite store bought cookies are Stauffer’s Dark Chocolate Covered Stars and Bunnies. They are made in York, PA and have a somewhat limited distribution area. Stauffer produces milk and dark chocolate covered cookies with a sprinkling of white non pareils. Only available at Christmas and Easter. You would love them!!!
Mmm, let’s see. My favorite homemade cookie has got to be no-bakes. I don’t know why, but I love them! My favorite from the store is those rolled up Pepperidge Farm things – I forget the name, but you know what I’m talking about!
My favorite homemade is my Grandma’s horseshoes that she only makes at Christmas.
My favorite store bought are probably Oreo’s or Milano’s. Yum!
ebertowskis@bellsouth.net
Favorite homemade cookie – chocolate butterscotch chip
Favorite store bought cookie –
When reading your blog regarding your trepidation about making scratch sugar cookies it made me think about the first time I made a cake from scratch instead of a box. My mother only made cake from a box and for a long time it never occurred to me that there was an alternative. However, she always made brownies from scratch (no recipe and rarely measuring cups or spoons) that were amazing (as was her bread, cookies, dinners, etc)! I remember being surprised when I found out you could make brownies from a box. The first time I made a cake from scratch I felt like I was getting close to my mom’s culinary mastery (although I had to follow a recipe and use measuring cups and spoons). I guess it is all about what you grow up with.
hellp
These cookies are beautiful and delic?ous.
These cookies are beautiful and delic?ous.
These cookies are beautiful and delic?ous.
These cookies are beautiful and delic?ous.
These cookies are beautiful and delic?ous.
These cookies are beautiful and delic?ous.
These cookies are beautiful and delic?ous.
These cookies are beautiful and delic?ous.
It’s called royal icing. You outline the shape with one consistency, then add a little water to flood the interior with a wetter consistency and it dries smooth like that.
How did you make the frosting so smooth??
Andrea Gerig Photography – it’s royal icing.
Blogger The Johnson J’s – Check out the Cookie Craft Book. I first came across it in the library. So maybe you’ll get lucky and find a copy there.
adozeneggs – thanks!
Fave homemade is definitely chocolate chip, but snickerdoodles are a close second.
Fave store bought would be double-stuffed Oreos. :)
At our house the favorite homemade cookie is Peanut Butter Cookies, but I prefer only the burned ones since they have that extra bit of flavor (no, I’m not joking).
As for store-bought, I love the President’s Choice “Lemon Lukulian Delights”.
My favorite homemade cookies are Chocolate Chip Blondies. I have 2 favorite store bought cookies..Madelines and Oreo’s. But you have to go to a bakery to get the best cookie ever….the Black and White…..yum!
If you want even more cookie tutorials, I sometimes post step by step pictures and instructions on my blog.
Your flowers came out lovely. Great job for a first try.
I found you through bakeat350’s link for the cakeballs!
Could you post your recipe that you used for the cookie dough… I am always looking for recipes to add to my other’s. By the way… your first time turned out beautiful… definatly book worthy!!
Those cookies are adorable. I’ve always wanted to try decorating like that. Maybe I’ll get the courage to do it, too!
My favorite homemade cookie is a tie between my cut-out cookies and almond sandwich cookies (Pillsbury’s website).
My favorite store bought cookies would have to be Oreos. Still a favorite after all these years!
My favorite cookie to mak eis a peanut butter cookie and then drop kisses in the middle of them ..
Favorite store bought cookies , would have to be the cheap o kind , the ones that are choc chip , butter cookies that are shaped liked a flower :)
Your cookies look fantastic!
My favorite homemade cookie is a chocolate sour cream cookie w/white and milk chocolate chips.
Store bought is Biscoff.
What kind of icing did you use?
Okay, time’s up!. The drawing will be held with the previous 1445 comments. I’ll pick the winner soon.
My favorite homemade cookies are molasses cookies .
My favorite store bought cookies are the lofthouse ones that have the colorful icing!
sublimehunni@aol.com
Your sugar cookies look great!! They’re prettier than any I’ve ever made, and I’ve made them a few times.
My favorite homemade cookie is chocolate chip.
My favorite store bought cookie are Oreos.
wow, gorgeous cookies! I, too, am intimidated by the dreaded Sugar Cookie. I would love to try out that book!
My Fave homemade cookie: Chocolate chip, of course.
My fave store bought: Oreo, dunked in milk, never dry.
Thanks for putting up such a great blog!
Michelle Caldera
coldstream@verizon.net
nestle chocolate chip, for homemade recipe, and forstore bought, I say girl scout thin mints- does that count? if not then chips ahoy
My favorite homemade cookie recipe is the oatmeal raisin cookie recipe from underneath the lid of safeway’s generic oatmeal lid.
Storebought Pillsbury chocolate chip, in the plastic tube shape
My favorite homemade cookie is definitely my mom’s version of the Nestle Tollhouse Cookie. Get this – she substitutes vegetable oil (I kNOW!) for the butter – she just doesn’t use quite as much. My dad asked her to start substituting this a three decades ago because the oil is healthier than butter or margaine. So forward thinking of him. This makes the cookies, well, amazing. And no one else seems to be able to duplicate it. Many have tried, all failed! Her cookies are famous. She still sends some to the former governor of our state for Christmas as per his request. So dang good.
Favorite store bought coox? Hmmm…so many to choose from…doublestuffed oreo with a side of milk.
My favorite homemade cookie is my grandma’s teacakes. My favorite store bought cookie is Keebler Pecan Sandies.
would love to learn how to make cookies that look like that!!
Favorite homemade cookies are definitely pumpkin cookies.
Store bought – Chocolate Chip.. I can never get them as perfect as our grocery store. :)
noca0603@gmail.com
Snickerdoddles and Oreos…mmmm….Those look great, I too wish I could make cute decorated cookies…hmmm, maybe i’ll give it a try
What’s your favorite homemade cookie?
Hershey Kiss chocolate cookie. Easy to make, super sweet and looks like you spent the weekend making them.
What’s your favorite store-bought cookie? Double stuff Oreos with a gallon of milk and if it is that time of year, Girl Scout Tag A Long Cookies.
My favorite homeade cookies are definetly the original Chocolate chip cookies, i could eat those all day!
My favorite store bought cookies are Soft Batch, so yummy:)
Thanks for this great giveaway!
jessicajackson@cox.net
Wow! What delicious looking cookies! Maybe I can make some that are actually edible.
My favorite store bought cookies are Pillsbury’s Wedding Cookies. I am not even sure if they make it anymore. They are like the pecan sandies but BETTER!
OMG!!!! SO cute!!! My fave homemade have gotta be choc.chip!!!! Maybe it’s the eating the dough part!!??!! But my fave store bought are those big fat soft iced sugar ones with the sprinkles!!!!! LOVE ’em!!!!!!
k8ekaleb(at)hotmail(dot)com
My favorite homemade cookie is my grandmother’s peanut butter cookies (yes, with the little fork marks on top!) They melt in your mouth!
My favorite store bought cookies are Chocolate Chip from the Publix bakery…mmmmmm
My favorite homemade cookies are peanut butter sandwich cookies. Favorite store-bought cookies are ELFudge sandwich cookies – dunked in milk. Mmmm!
What’s your favorite homemade cookie?
My husband makes the best chocolate chip cookies! I think it’s the chocolate he uses… oversized chocolate discs. YUM!
What’s your favorite store-bought cookie? the chocolate chewy ones you get at the store bakery.
My favorite homemade cookie is Oatmeal Raisin. My current favorite store bought cookies are Snickerdoodles from Costco. Although Nutter Butters are pretty dang good too.
Homemade– my mother’s sugar cookeis
Store Bought– mint chocolate covered oreos
my email is marciward22@yahoo.com
My favorite homemade cookies are oatmeal chocolate chip and my favorite store bought are anything with coconut in them.
Your cookies are beautiful!!!