Happy Easter!

Lately, I've been bombarded by images of absolutely gorgeous cookies! I mean, each cookie is work of art. Perfectly golden, simple sugar cookies transformed into all sorts of gorgeous things! I was so jealous of the talent that I saw. And so I told myself, "You can do it!". Sigh. I guess it is good to have confidence.

The cookies were awesome. This is the sugar cookie recipe I have been using for years and I have always been extremely pleased with it. I would give someone credit for this recipe if I could remember where I found the recipe in the first place.

I usually use a simple powdered sugar glaze and that has always given me excellent results.This time, I got a little ambitious. This was my first time with royal icing. I'll just say it didn't go so well. Later, when I researched my icing problems, I realized that my icing was too thick, and that was the main problem. There were others too. I won't go there.

For your sake, I won't share my extremely inaccurate royal icing recipe. You're probably better off finding/using your own. But, I will share my favorite cookie recipe and some pictures of my first attempt at decorating with royal icing.

The taste of the frosting with the cookies was very, very delicious and the cookies were eaten up really fast. That is a good sign! :)

Simple Sugar Cookies

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 medium eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 - 3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

Method
1. Sift the 2 1/2 cups of the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.
2. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Add the vanilla and mix until well incorporated.
5. Add the dry ingredients and mix to form a soft dough. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour. If you use medium eggs, you shouldn't need more than 2 1/2 cups.
6. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and refrigerate for at least an hour.
7. Roll the dough about 1/2 inch thick and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
8. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes, or until the sides are just starting to turn golden.
9. Let them rest on the baking tray for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
10. Make sure they are completely cooled before decorating them.

This recipe gives you soft sugar cookies. If you like them crisp, roll the dough out thinner.

This is by no means an indicator that I am giving up. I will be back with more cookies. I don't know if any of them could ever be considered works of art, but hey - I still gotta try!

He has risen!

 

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

HAPPY EASTER!

I submitted this to the link party at Sweet as Sugar Cookies

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