Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!

We may not have any snow here on the farm,
but we have plenty of snowmen.


Luckily, these happy fellows won't melt!


After the snowman project was complete, 
the flour was flying in the farm kitchen this weekend!
It's cookie season!


Several of you have asked for my shortbread cookie recipe and some hints for 
decorating with Royal Icing.


Today's blog post is dedicated to the Art of the Cookie.
Believe me... these look much harder than they are.
If I could teach myself to do this... then you can do this too!

My lifelong philosophy has been:
"If it can be done... I can learn to do it, too!"
Seriously, this philosophy has helped to give me a life not constrained by the fear of failure.
Failure is how we learn.
Today's mistakes are the lessons that get us through tomorrow.
The only thing we have to fear is.... yada yada yada....
See?

I guarantee if you make these cookies, everyone will think you are a rockstar!
They are an all butter shortbread cookie... very delicate, very delicious.
It is important to make them rather thick so that they hold together,
although a coating of Royal Icing will also make them sturdier.

Welcome to my kitchen....
I only wish I could serve you a cup of tea and a cookie while you are here.




RECIPES
Shortbread Cookies

1 Cup Butter (at room temperature)
½ cup confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
¼ tsp. salt

Cream butter and sugar with mixer for two minutes.  Add vanilla.  Add flour and salt.
Mix just until well blended.
Form into a patty, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a half hour.
Roll to ¼ inch thickness.  Cut.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes (until light golden brown)
Cool to room temperature before decorating.

Royal Icing

2 ¼ Cup confectioner's sugar
1 ½ tablespoon meringue powder (found at craft stores in baking section)
¼ tsp. cream of tartar
¼ Cup warm water
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine and beat on high until opaque (several minutes)
Cover with a damp towel until ready to use.

I use gel colors by Wilton to color my icing...
a little bit goes a long way.

Icing used to flood your cookies with color will need to be the consistency of cream.
Outlining icing will need to be slightly thicker...but still thin enough to easily flow through your 
decorating tips.
To thin... add a few drops of water.
To thicken, add more powdered sugar... a teaspoon at a time.

Comments

Colleen said…
I'm going to definately try these cookies!!
Thanks so much for the recipes.
You make the decorating look so easy.
Nice bees on the rolling cloth 😊
I have an old old family rolling pin that I use.... can't buy them like that now.
Unknown said…
These look so delicious and are sooooo gorgeous...perfect. I don't really bake any more but love to see you create. Good job.
Anonymous said…
They are beautiful!
Fascinating video! Your cookies look professionally decorated. You make it look so easy but I bet it still takes a lot of practice!
littlemancat said…
Wow! I am in awe of your artistry and skill. And steady hands! Thanks for giving us this wonderful video.
Mary
daisy g said…
Your snowmen are so cheery and welcoming! I am going to make some snowman decorations with the leftover styrofoam we have from the packaging we've gotten over the year.

The cookies are gorgeous! Almost too pretty to eat! Thank you for the tutorial.
Dee J. Hartman said…
I agree with all the comments of others on this blog. Things I wanted to say are already said! ,,So..that being said, Thank you for sharing your cookie-making video and non-melting snowmen! Love, Dee (Davina's mom, from Davina and the Vagabonds)

You are a good teacher. I bet your grands love cooking with you.
molliemax said…
Yummy and beautiful too!
jaz@octoberfarm said…
you just gave me cookie anxiety! i haven't had time to bake one batch. i just keep telling myself that i made 1500 for the wedding in 10 days so i know i can get my baking done! yours look just perfect!
GeorgiaHoneyBee said…
Thank you so much!! Did you know that today is National Cookie Day?? How appropriate for you to make this post! I cannot wait to get started baking cookies. :-) Your cookies are beautiful, and I am going to try to be a copy cat!
An American in Tokyo said…
Wow, I never knew that was how the icing was done!!!
You make it look so easy!!!

One day, I will have to try these! I have tons of cookie cutters and haven't made cookies in the last couple of years!
diane in northern wis said…
What a pro cookie baker and decorator you are! They are absolutely beautiful and I'm sure they're also scrumptious! Thanks so much for the cookie lesson. Your family is so lucky to have you making so many wonderful things for all the seasons of the year. I love your blog!