Romantic-Vintage Royal Icing and Fondant 3-D Sugar Cookies
I was organizing my cookie cutters, and I came across a beautiful copper corset cookie cutter Sydney had given last summer. I couldn’t believe I had not used it yet. Since Sydney loves fondant I covered them in strawberry flavored and mocha-cinnamon fondant, from Fondarific. The decorative details are piped in royal icing. While Sydney and I were FaceTiming she suggested they would look best 3-D on a fondant molded stand with royal icing string work. Corset Sugar Cookies: Equipment: Corset cookie cutters Square cookie cutters Jewel mold PME icing bag stand Fondant smoothers Fondant...
Read More3-D Ruffled Ombre Dress Sugar Cookie
I have been watching General Hospital for 48 of the 50 years it has aired on ABC, my grandma and I would await for every new adventure each day at 2:00 pm CT. I skipped school on November 17th 1981 to watch Luke and Laura”s wedding, I actually missed a few more days leading up to the event. I cried in 1994 when Maxie Jones needed a heart transplant; her recipient being her cousin BJ and again in 1995 when Stone Cates died. I inadvertently turned Sydney, my daughter, into a GH fan in 2006 when Luke remarried Laura on their 25th wedding anniversary. This past week in half General Hospital...
Read MoreVictorian Two Tone Brush Embroidery
I was showing Sydney a two tone royal icing brush embroidery (that is a mouthful), and she thought the cookies would be a wonderful dessert to create for Mother’s Day. I must say I agree, the cookies would look exquisite in a clear top box with a blush pink ribbon. In fact I am planning on remaking the exact cookies for my 99 year old grandmother, she taught me my early culinary skills. I can remember when I was in college my grandma would send me care packages of treats. The treats, I admit, did not last long in my dorm or sorority house! I find it apropos I am sending care...
Read MoreVintage Easter Basket
It was wonderful having Sydney baking and decorating with me this past week, however I admit saying goodbye has become harder as she visits more often. I began realizing our relationship will be a series of visits and goodbyes. She loves living in D.C. and will probably go to graduate school at George Washington University. I am happy to see her become a self assured adult able to live on her own, but I would be lying to myself if I didn’t also admit each time she leaves I have this empty feeling (my heart hurts). While she was here we were able to bake and design a plethora of...
Read MoreEaster Egg Cookie
I was inspired to create a sugar cookie with frills from a Craftsy video and a beautiful fluted egg cookie cutter I purchased at Copper Gifts. The design is a collaboration between Sydney and myself, we wanted something different and frills seemed perfect. The fondant is a monochromatic pink-purple color as are the frilled wrapped roses. To add an elegant touch we subtly colored the edges of the frills with antique gold lustre. While frilling the section Sydney thought this would be a fun project to create with your children. After many attempts to design a sugar cookie recipe that would be...
Read MoreValentine Sugar Cookie Card
Every year D.F. romantically buys a dozen roses and chooses a card in which he meticulously underlines the words he feels is a representations of his feelings for me. He buys Sydney sweet cards for an daughter and 2 roses as well. This year I thought I would create an edible Valentine’s card for him, and for Sydney (I am sending most of the cookie cards to her & her roommates). While the sugar cookie dough was chilling I began to design the look for the cookie cards; royal icing brush embroidery kept creepy it’s way into my brain. The look is elegant, romantic, and...
Read MoreHoliday Baking: Fondant Kitchen Mixer Fun
With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching Sydney and I thought it would be adorable to create some treats of baking essentials. Over the summer I had found an awareness ribbon cookie cutter for pinktober at ecrandal, a family owned handmade cookie cutter store, while surfing around their site I came across a kitchen mixer with an inset and rolling pin cookie cutter (which I bought). Sydney’s palate is addicted to fondant so we decided the mixer cookies would be completely decorated with fondant. I used my kitchenaid professional 600 series and Sydney’s Artisan for...
Read MorePinktober, Ribbons of Hope
The month of October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness and most states, cities, and towns decorate the highways, buildings, and universities in calming pink ribbons, but breast cancer is the furthest thing from calming. We as a caring society need to do whatever it takes to assure the women in our lives have a mammography; one of my closest friends, AL, saved her own life by her persistence to have a mammography, at age 32, after finding a lump. I remember the day AL was given the horrifying news that her test was positive. (Medical tests are the only tests where positive is bad news)....
Read MorePansy Garden
I had been waiting to experiment with a technique I had read about, but had not had the opportunity to work with, when Sydney and I were approached to create an edible party favor for a six year old’s birthday. The birthday theme was pansies. Lighting bolt: what could be more perfect than a pansy garden, a sugar cookie pansy garden? With bright beautiful colors and the elegant simplicity of pansies, the cookie blooms into an eye catching delight! The technique requires working with two or more colored icings in one pastry bag, placing the colors strategically in a specific order to...
Read MoreButterfly Lavender Cupcakes, Two Kind of Techniques
I seem to find myself in a more relaxed state during the long warm summer months. Sydney and I find time to lay in the sun and catch up on our lives. Although we are blessed to work together with an “occasional” lunch, Sydney’s life is busy with friends and preparing herself to transfer across the country to another university, and I am busy preparing pastry classes and scheduling our clients. The alluring sunshine with summer sounds of a light breeze blowing through the grass and butterflies fluttering on aromatic flowers propels my senses to relax and take a a break. While...
Read MoreLadybug Sugar Cookies, For Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day has a plethora of meanings to many people, for me it is about being a mother. I question from time to time if I was and am a productive mother, with mistakes and all. I find myself looking through old photographs and memories, hoping Sydney felt and still feels love and safety through her life. I remember Sydney’s third mother’s day, she asked me when was Children”s Day. To which my reply was everyday, of course I knew she meant a special day set aside for children. From the moment she was first placed in my arms we had a special connection; of course...
Read MoreVanilla-Yuzu Whoopie Pie
I was in Starbucks grabbing a green tea grande, and saw they started selling whoopie pies shaped like French Madeleines with buttercream in the middle. I was inspired to bake up my own whoopie pie, however I just could not shape it like a French Madeleine. So as I was saying I felt compelled to bake a batch of whoopie pies; I couldn’t decide on flavor, Sydney thought vanilla bean with a tart yuzu crème frâche filling would be good. Yuzu is an amazing flavor it is tart, but unlike a lemon or lime. The amazing fruit originates in Japan, it is small and yellow with a huge seed in the...
Read MoreAlmond Sugar Cherry Blossom and Rose Cookies
Sydney and I were asked by a special friend if we would cater a wedding shower for his fiancé, Carrie. I’ve met Carrie a handful of times, but felt we needed a girls night, in order for Sydney and I to really have the chance to know her, by the way she is a lovely person. We felt honored to be apart of her special time. She wants a luncheon with two entree choices, sides, and a large dessert table. Carrie had mentioned that cherry blossoms were very intriguing to her. Since this was more of a girl’s night I scheduled a date to talk in more detail about the shower. Sydney was...
Read MoreTriple Chocolate Chunk Macadamia Cookies
Anyone who has children is familiar with the book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” well DF, my husband is a mirror of that little mouse when it comes to chocolate cookies. His absolute favorite cookie is a soft triple chocolate chip cookie, to cut some of the chocolate I add macadamia nuts and ivory chunks. Sydney caught him on Saturday having quite a few for breakfast; she tried to explain nutritionally triple chocolate chunk cookies might not be the best choice. I was around the corner and busted out laughing, my almost 20 year old daughter is expelling to her father how to have...
Read MoreMacadamia Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie-Cake
Wow, I think this is the longest amount of time I have been away from my blog. Sydney utilized her spring break to visit the colleges she wants to transfer to, NYU, Goerge Washington University, and Georgetown University. I never knew visiting three colleges in two states could be as excited and exhausting as it was. I had intended on writing an article during our down time; however we really did not have any down time. It had been a very long time since I visited our nation’s capital, the feeling of pride and patriotism was almost overwhelming! We lucked out on the weather, which was...
Read MoreBrownie Boats
Every once in a while I’ll have an idea, that mesomorphs into another design. Sydney and I thought brownie bites would be a perfect snack for a party or school lunch; we placed the batter in a flexipan half- sphere. Once the brownies were finished baking we realized the half-sphere shape was bigger than we originally thought. Coincidently we had been working with fondant and began turning the scrapes into character chickens; I thought they might be adorable in the brownies. Sydney called them brownie boats; she thought the baby chicks looked as if they were going for a brownie...
Read MoreAlmond Marshmallow Meringue; for the Oscars
The 84th Annual Oscars, Academy Awards began this evening at 5:30 PST, Billy Crystal is hosting for the 9th time.. anything is possible. In 1992 he surprised us all as Hannibal Lecter going as far as shaking hands with Anthony Hopkins still in Dr.Lecter’s mask and inviting Sir Hopkins to “dinner.” His grand Titanic entrance in 1998; 2000 Oscars “What are the stars thinking?”, and 2004 the year of Lord of the Rings too many parody’s to write. Not only will the Academy be entertainingly funny, but the Academy will be hosted with class and respect. Sydney...
Read MoreDecant Brownies, Just Having Some Fun
Brownies, almost everyone loves them and DF probably more than most. Sydney and I were feeling a little mischievous today and decided to play around with brownies. We cut them in 1 1/2-circles, placed them on a stick and glazed them with a decant ivory chocolate, colored red. DF simply went crazy for our brownie pops. Decant Chocolate Brownies: Adapted from the Soho Charcuterie cookbook 453 gram/1 ¾-cup unsalted butter 453 grams/ 2 2/3 bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine 170 grams/ ¾-cup white chocolate chunks 170 grams/ ¾-cup semisweet chocolate, cut mini size 300 grams/ about6...
Read MoreSugar Cookie Dress For the Oscars, The Joke is on Me
It would seem the Oscars forgot Leonardo DiCaprio’s nomination and my invitation again. I was sure after last year’s Tuxedo Mousse Cake lost invitation the Academy would have taken extra precautions to ensure my invitation would arrive. With only twenty two days left to the Oscars it is time to realize The Academy has over looked me and once again over looked Mr. Dicaprio’s wonderful portrayal of J. Edgar Hoover; I suppose I am in excellent company. It is a shame I spent days working on two wonderful dresses; I wouldn’t want to wear the same dress as Meryl Streep or...
Read More“Masquerade Paper Faces on Parade,” Mask Almond Sugar Cookies
I have a friend/client who every year hosts a Mardi Gras Party; this year she wanted a change to refresh the party, and asked Sydney and I if we could put a few ideas together. The Phantom of the Opera was both mine and Sydney’s first thought, and we began discussing an array of ideas. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera has magical mystic to his operatic play; that leaves a lasting impression to the audience. We started envisioning a party in which the guests would have a similar experience. Sydney and I began designing invitations that were shaped like masks and...
Read MoreHow to Decorate Champagne Sugar Cookies and Roses
I must admit Sydney and I are once again writing a post at 1:00 am; we must sub-conscientiously enjoy the hour. Yesterday I explained the romantic and loving memory that The Champagne Sugar Cookies represents for both Sydney and myself. We actually began planning how we would decorate our individual bottles and glasses; when it dawned upon me anyone in a relationship would have a bottle of wine or champagne (with or without alcohol ) representing a heart felt experience . Here is how we decorated our glasses and bottles. Champagne and Roses Sugar Cookie Royal Icing with Fresh Egg...
Read MoreChampagne and Roses Sugar Cookies; A Sweet Romantic Treat
With Valentine’s Day just a month away, Sydney and I found ourselves discussing what our version of a romantic night would be. We both agreed a nice bottle of champagne with raspberries in the glass was a nice start. Both both of us have had the opportunity to indulge in our favorite champagne with a special person. I was completely blown away: as we were confining to each other I realized we had describe almost identical versions. The brands of champagne were different. DF for the past 25 years has bought home a bottle of Belle Epoque. Our introduction to this prodigious...
Read More“Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Have Some Gingerbread Cookies
There is something about the crisp clean snow and the smell of warm gingerbread cookies baking in the oven that screams the holidays are here. The week after Thanksgiving is when Sydney and I start the gingerbread baking; hot apple cider and gingerbread cookies warm you from inside even on the coldest days. This week Colorado’s temperature dipped below zero, the snow began to fall early. Each morning DF, Sydney, and I piled on layers of sweaters, coats, and gloves, with the hope that the snow will last through Christmas, except of course get warmer than it is now. While decorating our...
Read MoreSweet Dreams of Mini Pumpkin Pillows
I have been dining daily for lunch at “Sushi Den” for over twenty years, through the years I have become friends with some of the staff. Sydney and I bring them treats to show our gratitude. About two years ago, Travis, a server at Sushi Den, asked if we could bake pumpkin cookies. We both answered in unison “yes.” I proceeded to ask what type of pumpkin cookie did he like. We both were taken back by his answer: “I don’t like pumpkin.” Puzzled I asked why he wanted to know if we could bake a batch of pumpkin cookies, if pumpkin was not a flavor he...
Read MoreSugar Cookies, Baked This Way part 11
When we left off Sydney and I had created a satire for the baking sugar cookies; I promise my singing is finished. Time to talk about the processes of decorating sugar cookies. Once the cookies have completely cooled, we can begin to to outline the cookie. The outline has two purposes, first is to define the shape (in this case Halloween cookies) and secondly to hold the flooding color from dripping all over the cookie. There are a few steps to prepare for outlining, decide what product will be used for the cookies, sprinkles (which could be added prior to baking) fondant or icing sugar. I...
Read MoreSugar Cookies, Baked This Way- Part 1
In the kitchen, baker always working on something, till I talked to Sydney and she said “bake this way.” She said “you haven’t tasted anything till you taste my sugar cookies.” Than your sure to be changing your dough. So I tried her sugar cookies, Oh I wish you could smell them, Cause the best taste about them were the almond and the lemon and it Only started with a little taste, Like this. Sugar and butter creaming away. Adding an egg and extract. Singing “yummy, yummy,” with your palate dancing. Like you haven’t had sugar cookies like this...
Read MoreMother’s Day Shortbread, Edible Serving No Dish Washing!
Eggs on a Spoon with White Frâiche Oatmeal The April 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Evelyne of the blog Cheap Ethnic Eatz. Evelyne chose to challenge everyone to make a maple mousse in an edible container. Prizes are being awarded to the most creative edible container and filling, so vote on your favorite from April 27th to May 27th at http://thedaringkitchen.com! Mother Day is may 8th straight on the heels of my birthday, generally it is the Sunday of the week of my birthday, unless my day falls on a Sunday. Why even mention my birthday at all for a Daring Baker, I also...
Read MoreJust a Spoonful of Lemon Meringue, No Medicine Required
Lemon Meringue Spoons!! Time flies by so quickly, it has already been over year since Sydney and I took our mother-daughter vacation to Paris. Its April, the first week has almost past, and Easter is just around the corner. Speaking of Easter Sydney and I have been trying to compose an Easter Dinner for family and friends, we have tested and eaten quite a few recipes and treats (no complaining here). Most of the celebration menu is filled with DF’s and Sydney’s favorite foods, but this year I insisted on a lemon pie or tart. My favorite flavor of all time is lemon; I have been...
Read MoreJust A Few Notes on a Card
Not long ago Sydney was looking through some “old” family pictures and letters. Yes, there was a time when pictures were printed on photo paper. While she was laughing at my high school yearbook picture, she found a family envelope filled with partial recipes. My husband’s grandmother wrote scribbles of family recipes on napkins, torn pieces of papers, the back of receipts, etc. When DF and I were married she gave them to me; I distinctly remember thinking one day I would ask her if she knew about the missing pieces of the recipes. I filed them with all the family mementos,...
Read MoreMini Panna Cotta Bombes
Mini Panna Cotta Bombes I always look forward to the first of the month, I know there will be a new Daring Baker’s challenge. The February 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mallory from A Sofa in the Kitchen. She chose to challenge everyone to make Panna Cotta from a Giada De Laurentiis recipe and Nestle Florentine Cookies. Not only was this challenge convivial, but it ended up saving Sydney’s reputation in her super club. She is apart of a monthly super club with her university buddies. This month she was responsible for the dessert course, but she had two major...
Read MoreA Birthday Gift: Tangy Rose-Vanilla Bean- Panna Cotta with Red Current Coulis Gel
PANNA COTTA BOMBE My sister’s birthday is this week, actually it falls on the heels of Valentine’s Day. Generally the people in her life combine the two events, it has become a yearly tradition that Sydney and I create a special pastry for her birthday. This year Sydney and I chose a comfort dessert: Rose-Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with a Red Currant jelled Coulis. Tush, that truly is her nickname. (Sydney started calling her “Tush” from the age of two and it just stuck). As I was saying Tush loves anything vanilla flavored, I thought why not turn the panna cotta into...
Read More2010 A Year of Change and Growth
So much has changed since this time last year. When the year began Sydney was a senior in high school, my husband was still the CIO for CRI, and I had just began dipping my toe into the pool of blogging, (What a big pool). I can honestly say I did not understand this new “blogging world.” The first few blogs lacked structure, the stories were dry, and the pictures I posted were grainy, dull, and the styling was boring. All four of these pictures were shot with a sony point and shoot, in haste, and I was pretty “green.” It wasn’t as if I never had taken a...
Read MoreThe Story of Pumpkin Pillows
I love when I have the opportunity to design a particular recipe for special people in my life. Last fall a friend of mine, Travis L, who actually is the pickiest adult eater I have ever encountered, asked me to bake pumpkin cookies for him. I thought how simple, till he informed me he will only eat cookies that are soft, and by the way, he HATES pumpkin. Obviously I asked, “why would you ask me to bake pumpkin cookies if you dislike pumpkin?” He replied somebody had given him soft pumpkin cookies as a child (he is now 30 years old). He claimed” the cookies were the most...
Read MorePinktober
October is the month that everything, buildings, ribbons, lights, armbands, the decor at the malls, and all along the interstate turn the optimistic lively color pink. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Celebrating 25 Years of Awareness, Education, and Empowerment. Sydney and I have seen friends win the fight of breast cancer and sadly have lost amazing friends to this illness, even one human being losing their fight is too many. Sydney began calling October,”Pinktober” in honor of all of those fighting a diagnoses, survivors, caregivers, family members,...
Read MoreTime Flies
Who else would put chocolate and lemon together and end up with one of most popular macaron flavors? It’s already mid past July and the realization that my business partner and more importantly my daughter is leaving in a few weeks. As I have stated in the past this is one of hardest transition we both have to make. I feel like my heart is leaving for college. It is during this time I pounder if the wonderful and amazing bond we have will cause this new and exciting time for her to be harder than it needs to be. Lemon Souffle I am also feeling that I am being a little...
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