I have a soft spot for the beachy babes of the Dana Hills High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team and although I’ve never been to one of their games, every year at the end of the season I am connected to them. Four years ago, I began making decorated cookies for the team and it has turned into a tradition for them and me. The mom who has ordered them every year told me some girls chose not… [Read More]
Did someone have an unhappy birthday party as a child? I am feeling the effects of the dragee ban in our environmentally conscientious state as my stash dwindles. We all love and grew up with these festive confections but it’s illegal to sell the pretty little metallic coated sugar balls that I use with abandon on my decorated cookies and cupcakes. It’s also prohibited to ship them into the state so I cannot buy them online! Something about minute traces… [Read More]
Champagne. A bit of the bubbly. The stuff that tickles your nose. And YES! It has to be pink! It’s mere existence announces in the grandest of styles a new beginning, an achievement, an event to remember. Cheers! It celebrates life with us. Love. Marriage. Birth. It let’s us take a moment to say hoorah for you, hoorah for me or hoorah for all of us! “Please, Save The Date” It wouldn’t be the same without you…. [Read More]
A fun project to do with kids of any age. Last year I had son2 bring over a bunch of his buddies with their girlfriends and make these out of marshmallows. I just had to get my hands on a holiday project and have kids over. Even big ones! Stick 3 marshmallows on a long lollipop stick. Spoon melted white candy coating. Decorate with royal icing embellishments (hat, nose, eyes and buttons) Cake decorating stores usually sell these already made…. [Read More]
With holiday baking soon to begin and inspired by Hopsy and her darling monogrammed green toile boxes, I began to search for boxes to use this season. I found what looks like to be the same supplier for Williams-Sonoma’s French Pastry Boxesbut for a lot less. 20 sheets of 20″ x 30″ patterned waxed paper. William Sonoma $12 BakingBoxes.com $9 with more patterns to choose from. Monogrammed Cookie Boxes 7″ x 5″ x 3″ Williams-Sonoma 6 for $29 BakingBoxes.com 10… [Read More]
My wonderful niece3 asked me about some ideas for cookies for her friend’s daughter’s B-day who is turning 2. At 2, the kidlettes would be happy with a popsicle split in half but we know the party is really for adults anyway so let’s bring some fun cookies to show off!I thought about rainbows, smiley faces, ladybugs and sunflowers. Since I was making more fall cookies last night to send to college boy1 and had the colors ready to go… [Read More]
Icing & Decorating. This is the fun part! Part I Part IIGet your mixer bowl and whisk ready and we’re off! Royal Icing: 1 lb. Powdered Sugar (does not need to be sifted) 3 Tbl. Meringue Powder 6 Tbl. Hot Water (from tap is fine) Make sure your bowl and whisk attachment is grease free. Why grease free? Grease and egg whites don’t mix and the whites will not rise. Give both a pre-wash if they’ve been sitting unused in… [Read More]
Part Deux is here! The cookie dough is very easy to make and I have added tips of what works well for me and hopefully you’ll find it helps make it fool proof for you too. So let’s get rolling! Pink Martinis and Pearls’ Sugar Cookies 3 3/4 cups flour1 1/2 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. salt1 cup butter1 1/2 cups granulated sugar2 tsp. vanilla2 large eggs Preheat oven to 375.Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.Cream butter, sugar and… [Read More]
Are you ready for some fall baking? I know I am.This is my favorite time of year. I love the anticipation of the holidays in the air and the Santa Ana winds that blow.I’ve decided to write the posts in parts so it’s more organized. One post will be recipes, another on techniques and so on. You might think I’m working backwards but this post will give you some ideas on packaging. I’m always inspired to begin my cookie projects… [Read More]
Say hello to my little friends… …and to 125 of their closest friends. Ta-da! Fini! … and a HUGE Thank you to my wonderful friend and expert cello bag stuffer, Suzi who single handedly assembled the cookie favors for me over 2 nights with many, many hours devoted to this while I glued together the rosettes. This took us much longer than we had expected even with the ribbon already cut and most of the bags pre-stuffed with paper. I… [Read More]
