Sunday, February 5, 2012

Cookies, Part II

So, some of you know that I went a little out of my comfort zone in December and attended a cookie decorating class.  I have always loved to decorate cookies, but (because I am a slacker) I never really kept learning new techniques.  Instead I relied on age-old methods that I am pretty sure originated with the pioneers and that I think I learned in childhood (?).  At my cookie class I learned about royal icing, dragees (French word for "small balls"), and frosting bags.  Some might say I was a *little* proud of myself after the class and some might even say I was smug. 

Then, I tried everything I learned at home a few weeks after that.  Note:  There was no blog post about that, no pictures were posted on Facebook, and I did not "pin" any of it.  Why?  Because it was a royal disaster.  All of my pride dissolved in a few seconds of runny icing that was some shade of black

But, because I believe in learning from my mistakes (I'll excuse you while you vomit), here's what I learned:  1.  It's easier when someone else makes the icing and puts it in the bag for you.  2.  It's easier when someone brings lots of gorgeous, perfect samples from which you can get ideas.  3.  It's easier when someone also brings all the proper equipment needed.  4.  It's easier to leave all the mess there and have someone else clean it up.  5.  It's easier when four small people are not asking you what the heck they are supposed to be doing (and you don't really know what to tell them).

Fast forward to today.  I got brave (or - we all know the synonym for brave) and decided we needed to give it a second go and make Valentine's Day cookies using all the techniques I had learned way back in December.  I was ready to abandon whatever pride I had left (for the kids).

Here's how they came out. 

Valentines Day Cookies 2012
 
So, I'm not a total idiot.  I realize the O's are lopsided and much of the royal icing is royally askew.  I know people (no matter how much they wanted to support me) would never pay money for these.  Subsequently, any dreams I might have had of owning a famous cookie shop are still dashed.  BUT, these look a hell of a lot better than the black Santas and dead Christmas trees we had last time.

You could say I am now a little smug.  Happy Superbowl Sunday!  Try to stay on your diets.  Just kidding!  Eat like there's no tomorrow!  I know I will be.  Then I'll be snacking on the delicious morsels above for dessert.

12 comments:

Shannon said...

I think stye look GORGEOUS! So impressed.

jamiew said...

I'd pay money for them so that I wouldn't have to bake.
(by the way, they were quite tasty!)

Monica said...

thanks ladies. you three could be the reason i am smug. ;o) @jamie - ed has finally wore me down. i have all the 800 ingredients for your famous oatmeal cookies. remind me - why are you my friend? JUST KIDDING! (it's because you taught ed how to put netflix on the tablet ;o).

C said...

i found something awesome on piterest, and used the techniques for my cookies. I think i am going to try to make some bridal shower "favor cookies"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxE-pnqmsE0
This is amazeballs and easy....

The cookies were awesome btw!

Monica said...

@cassandra - hey, thanks for the read and the youtube video. holy crap did she make it look super easy. i love those tips. HUGE THANK YOU to you. i guess i never thought of youtubing it. duh. it *almost* makes me want to make another batch right now. ;o)

C said...

The easy clean up bag thing is really as easy as she made it look. Also really good tip: using a water bottle (one you would use to wet down hair or something) and spritz water on the frosting when you need to thin it down. A couple sprays at a time until you get the consistency you want. there is a blog called Sweet Sugar Belle that is pretty awesome. I am a little OCD with the cookies right now because i want to make them well, so don't mind me....they may be coming to take me away soon...

Nomads By Nature said...

I like these much much better than perfect store bought cookies - you can see the 'love' baked into and frosted onto each one.

And synonyms for brave can be "foolish","drunk","care-free", "hopeful", "resolute" or "courageous" --- I like that last one. And as John Wayne says, "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." Glad you 'saddled up' to try again and make a great memory and result with your kids! I bet they tasted super yummy!

Monica said...

@cassandra - okay. LOVE the spritzer idea. that's really good. and since boy child wasn't here when we did the valentines ones he has asked me to make another batch. looks like i WILL be doing a second round. @nomads - i love you! ;o) seriously. you know how to make a gal feel good. huge hugs to you! and, as always, thanks for the read.

Anonymous said...

whatimeant2say here - Those cookies look beautiful - too good to eat!

Monica said...

@whatimeant2say - THANKS! i might have to do it again and if they come out better (fat chance) i will post another picture. ;o)

Leigh Powell Hines said...

I think you did a great job. I'm a total disaster in the baking area.

Monica said...

aw! thanks leigh. i got some good tips right here in the comments that i am going to put to use next time.