sweet inspiration & fun baking ideas

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.