I Need A Sugar Fix
Happy Halloween!
And yippee today was the day to get one (sugar fix). I have been meaning to post this since this morning but we are having terrible internet connections these days…off/on/off/on…enough to drive you crazy!
These cookies may not look like the ones you will find on the shelves of professional decorators but this is what you get for working with a dinosaur, two knights, a mermaid, a pirate and a zebra…yes, we had a slight chance of costume programming! We took the kids trick or treating on an old golf cart with a trailer attached to the back and they had a great time!
Cut Out Sugar Cookies, adapted from allrecipe site:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Refrigerate dough, roll out and cut as desired
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.
Royal Icing, from Joy of Baking site
4 cups (440 grams) confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons (30 grams) meringue powder
1/2 teaspoon extract (vanilla, lemon, almond)
1/2 – 3/4 cup (120 – 180 ml) warm water
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the confectioners' sugar and meringue powder until combined. Add the water and beat on medium to high speed until very glossy and stiff peaks form (5 to 7 minutes). If necessary, to get the right consistency, add more powdered sugar or water. To cover or 'flood' the entire surface of the cookie with icing, the proper consistency is when you lift the beater, the ribbon of icing that falls back into the bowl remains on the surface of the icing for a few seconds before disappearing.
The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.
Makes about 3 cups
Sometimes it’s good to just bake with the kids and be one again!
Comments
Bron November 1, 2006 um 4:53 am
Hehe, I’m loving just imagining you all dressed up and hooning along the street in a golf cart with trailer – brilliant!
Halloween isn’t very big here in New Zealand and unfortunately a little looked down upon by some grumps. However myself, I love any excuse to dress up and eat sweets!
wheresmymind November 1, 2006 um 2:04 pm
I love sugar cookies SO much 😀
Lis November 1, 2006 um 2:42 pm
I think those are prettier than any frosted sugar cookied I’ve seen in a bakery! I hope you and the family had a great Halloween!
Brilynn November 1, 2006 um 3:16 pm
Cut out cookies are so much fun, I like the ghost.
Orchidea November 1, 2006 um 3:57 pm
Happy Halloween to you! Those cookies are so cute…
Ciao.
Lauren November 1, 2006 um 4:49 pm
These are soo adorable – much prettier than ones I’ve been seen.
Yesterday’s entry looks amazing, I want to get an ice cream maker.. probably a dangerous idea.
Anonymous November 1, 2006 um 7:49 pm
Bron: it was slow but so much fun! The kids had a blast.
I have been hooked on Halloween since I moved to the States, and like you I love any excuse to dress up!
Wheresmymind: they are so satisfying indeed.
Lis: well, thank you. We did have a lot of fun!
Brilynn: it was fun to do some with the kids. They were so careful and intrigued!
Orchidea: thank you!
Lauren: thanks for the compliment.
Secret: you do not need an ice cream maker to make good ice cream. Start freezing it and when it is semi hard, whip it in a stand mixer and put back i the frezezer. Do that a couple of times more and you are set!