Saturday, April 23, 2011

Happy Easter!

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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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24 comments:

Dee Dee's Delights said...

This GREAT!!! Great Easter creation! I am having a specioal Easter linky party called the Sunday Easter Buffet I would love it if you added these to the serving line! I am taking submissions till saturday 2pm est http://deedeesdelights.blogspot.com/p/special-easter-sunday-buffet.html

Beth Hyzy said...

Your cookies look beautiful! The chicks are my favorite :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you! I will :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Beth! :) I think they turned out pretty okay for a first attempt :)

Mary@One Perfect Bite said...

Your cookies can join the ranks of the beautiful ones you spoke about. I love them and so will my grandsons. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Blessings...Mary

Beetlebuggy said...

Your cookies are so pretty and don't look anything less than perfect! So don't give your cookies an inferiority complex :) I especially love the ones with the Crosses, that looks so professionally done!

Fooddreamer said...

Perfect for Easter. Hope you have a great day tomorrow!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Mary, for your very kind words about my cookies :) I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend too!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you :) Hardly professional! I really need to work on my skills but thanks for your kind words... my cookies are happy :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you :) Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend too! :)

spcookiequeen said...

Marsha I think you did a glorious job. I've had royal icing come out not so good too, so glad you tried again. Each one is cuter than the other. Thanks for your sweet get well thought, I do that all the time, he he. Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter.
-Gina-

Rachel said...

These cookies are beautiful! Happy Easter to you!

theharriedcook said...

hehe :) Thanks for understand... And thank you, Gina, for your kind words. I plan on practicing this art till I get a LOT better! :) Happy Easter!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Rachel! Happy Easter to you too! :)

Roxan said...

Aw, great job with these cookies, they look awesome. I don't have steady hands so I rarely decorate cookies!

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Aw super adorable treats. Happy Easter!

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Roxan :) With all the yummy food I've seen on your blog, I am sure you'd have no trouble decorating cookies! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Xiaolu! :) Happy Easter!

Nami said...

Hi Marsha! I hope you had a nice Easter weekend. :-) Thank you for finding my site and now I'm happy to find your site! Since I'm connected to your fan page, I'm all set. I'll be following you!

theharriedcook said...

Hi Nami. I had a great Easter weekend! Hope you did too... I am very glad I found your site & I am following you too! :) Can't wait to see what you're going to plate up! Love your food... :)

Firefly said...

Hope you had a wonderful Easter :) I love your sugar cookies! I have a similar recipe and love making them always so yummy!

Gitu said...

What are you talking about?! These look great and something you would see in a magazine!

theharriedcook said...

I had a great Easter, thanks! :) I am a huge fan of sugar cookies too! :)

theharriedcook said...

LOL :D You are far too kind... But, they were yummy! :)

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