Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patricks Day

I decided that I wanted to make some festive cookies to take into work on St. Patricks Day. After searching 8 stores for a cookie cutter I finally found one at Michael's. I also decided to be daring and try my hand at royal icing. I just love how smooth and perfect the tops of the cookies look when they are adorned with royal icing.


It turns out that royal icing is not difficult to work with it is just time consuming. I think that the most difficult part of the whole process is piping the border along the edge of the cookies. But that will probably come with practice.


Sugar cookies have never been my favorite cookie to eat but are always a favorite to make because they are so fun to decorate. This cookie recipe yielded pretty delicious cookies. I like that powdered sugar is used in this recipe, it helps give the cookies a smoothness. I also love that almond extract was used. Delicious!

I hope that everyone enjoys the day and celebrates safely. Here is a little *pinch* in case you forgot to wear green. I know I am definitely wearing my green scrubs to work today. :)



Ella’s White Sugar Cookies
Source:
Annie's Eats

Ingredients
1 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 ½ t. almond extract
1 t. vanilla
1 t. salt
2 ½ c. sifted flour

Directions
Cream butter. Add powdered sugar. Blend in egg, almond extract, vanilla, salt and flour. Chill dough until firm. Roll to ¼” thickness on well-floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 min. Cookies should not brown. Frost and decorate when cool. Yields ~40 cookies.

I used
Annie's and Katie's blogs for help and instructions on the royal icing so please visit their sites for very detailed recipes and instructions.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW AMBER! Those turned out GORGEOUSLY!!! They look PERFECT!!

Spryte said...

Your cookies look gorgeous! I love almond! I wish I could have one!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

What's Cookin Chicago said...

Beautiful job Amber! :)

Cassi said...

THESE WERE DELICIOUS! Thanks for bringing me some by!

Your favorite sister is going to get fatter!

My favorite ones are the green ones iwth icing! MMMMMMMMMM Good Job!!!!

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful! You are very talented!

Jen@FIRR-Kids! said...

Those look great! I always want to do piped cookies, and then I lose interest halfway through and my hand starts cramping up. Then I just want to say to hell with it and slather on the icing any which way so I can be DONE.

Obviously you have more patience.

Anonymous said...

Hooray, Amber! Your cookies look gorgeous. I'm so glad they worked out well for you. The piping definitely does get quicker with practice, my first attempt took forever but now it's a breeze. Great job!

Melody said...

These are so pretty! Thanks for sharing your talents. I've enjoyed following your blog.

Jessica said...

They look awesome!! I have been promising myself I would try royal icing soon, and you are just the inspiration I need!

I especially love that they are St.Patty's day cookies :)

Unknown said...

Great looking cookies!!!

Risa said...

These look adorable! I wish I had time to make them :-( Maybe after March is over...I'm swamped with work.

Heidi said...

These cookies look awsome!

giz said...

Your cookies are entirely adorable. Royal icing I'm afraid is my nemisis (unless of course I happen to mess up and actually get the right consistency for the borders).