all your pics of cookies are inspiring me to give it a whirl. Just wondering if any of you skilled cookie people would share your favorite recipe for sugar cookies to decorate and I would love an icing recipe or two to pick from as well. I looked at the icing recipes in the recipe section here and they look pretty good do any of you use it? I'm sure my first attempt won't be nearly as beautiful as the ones you guys have been posting but I would like to try this and see if it is something I want to add to my portfolio.

Thanks for the help!!

This was given to me by thecakemaven
Cookie Creations Cookies
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) softened butter or margarine (I use Nucoa Margarine)
3/4 C. sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla (or any favorite flavor. I like almond or orange)
2 C. flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda

Cream butter and sugar until well mixed. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Slowly add the dry ingredients until well blended. Chill for 1 hour. If dough is way too soft and sticky, which may happen if your margarine has a higher water content, just add some flour a little at a time until you get the desired consistency. However, remember the dough should still be a bit soft. This is why it needs to be chilled.

Also, keep dough chilled in between rolling batches. Roll out dough between parchment paper or plastic wrap. I like to roll mine thick, but this is just a personal preference. Cut dough with cookie cutters and place onto parchment paper for baking. To insert lollipop stick, twist stick while inserting into cookie. I lay my hand on top of the dough so I can feel how far the stick has gone it. It must go at least half way up the cookie. Make sure your sticks dont overlap.

Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 8-12 minutes. Remove when they just start to brown at the edges. Immediately use the back (flat) side of a pancake turner to flatten the cookies so you have a flat surface to work on when decorating. Cool for 2-3 minutes on cookie sheet, then remove from the baking sheet and cool completely on a cooling rack before decorating them. Dont handle by sticks until completely cooled!

Cookie Glaze
3 C. powdered sugar
1/4 C warm water
1 T light corn syrup
1-2 tsp. flavoring (I use almond extract)
Food Color (paste)

Dissolve syrup in the warm water. Mix in extract, sugar and until you have a smooth glaze. Add more sugar to thicken or more water to thin. This will vary depending on the humidity and where you live. Just remember to use thicker for outlining and thinner for filling in. If you are familiar with color flow, its the same technique. Your fill-in icing should disappear into itself at the count on 10.

There are two methods for decorating your cookies. My preferred method is to decorate with parchment bags fitted with a #4 or #5 tip for outlining and then fill in the middle with thinner icing. Work quickly to fill in the middle before the icing crusts over. If you dont have icing bags and tips, you can use squeeze-style candy making or condiment bottles. If using different colors (ie, one for outlining and another for filling in) let the first color dry for an hour or so before decorating with the second color. Otherwise, your colors may bleed. Once dry, you can then decorate on top of the first layer with royal icing or food coloring markers. This can be especially fun if you want to write messages on your cookies or add details like smiley faces, hearts, etc.

GOOD LUCK and enjoy!

I use the sugar cookie recipe that is in the Wilton Yearbooks.....it's really good.

Funny you mention it, abbey, I have my first batch of cookies in the oven as we speak! I'm using the recipe antonia suggested the No FAil Sugar Cookie recipe from the Kitchen Gifts site. So far so good! I had DH bring me home some 1/4" lath from the lumber yard, roll the dough out between two pieces of parchment - Voila!! The cookies are all the same thickness and No mess whatsoever!! I love it!

Thanks you guys!! I think I'll give the recipe briansbaker a shot. Thanks for the tips on rolling out to get the same thickness beachcakes!

Abbey,
You just took the words right out of my mouth. I was in the stale cookie post and saw the beautiful cookies that everyone made and it gave me the itch. I was about to post it myself when I came across your post!! I'm gonna try them out for a baby shower. How about you??


Daniela