I haven't ever made the nice cookies that I see here, and I have a few events coming up in the next few months which will need cookies. So, I am here trying to step up my game and find a way to produce some great cookies for these events. First, where does everyone get their cookie cutters? Second, I need a dough recipe I can make and possibly bake a head of time. Last, what would you recommend for a hot day? Is there any way to have cookies like these outside without having to worry about melted icing? Thanks.
I get my cookie cutters from www.kitchengifts.com. They are a little bit pricey but I love copper cookie cutters as they hold the shaper better.
Penny's and NFSC are popular cookie recipes. Here are the links to them:
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-3993-57-Pennys-cookies.html
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-2055-53-No-Fail-Sugar-Cookies.html
I recommend either using royal icing or fondant to cover and decorate your cookies so they hold up better on a hot day. I personally prefer fondant.
there's a great article in the article section by Antonia74...
Good luck on making your cookies...I'm sure they'll be great! I've used both
NFSC and Penny's and I like them both...you just have to try them and find
out which one works best for you. Besides kitchengifts.com, I've also bought
quite a few cutters from coppergifts.com...the thing I like about their site,
is if you click your mouse on the cutter, it gives you some decorating ideas
for that cutter! Their designs are great for inspiration! I echo royal icing
to use...it holds up great! Make sure you post your cookies when you're done,
we'd love to see them!
Joanne
Here' s a link to some some helpful info/step-by-step photos! 
http://www.cakecentral.com/article54-How-To-Bake--Decorate-Cookies.html
I buy all my cutters from cookiecutters.com prices are good and reasonable shipping. However, I just discovered that sugarcrafts cutters are 1/2 the price of the cookiecutters.com website, but their shipping is a bit more. But there is so much more you can order from sugarcraft!
Also, I use a mix of marshmallow fondant and royal on mine. You can see them in my pics.
oh and I use NFSC
Royal Icing is good but a bit harder to learn, was for me anyway, but finally after a few batches I got the right consistancy. It's trial and error and one day it clicks, start with cookies that have maybe two or three colors and work up to more detail. It's not so frustrating that way. Good luck and post some pictures. Oh by the way, WELCOME!!!!!!
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