Scrabble night!

Made these for a scrabble party we were invited to this weekend.

Used edible marker for the writing instead of icing, because I ran out of time!

Great for Valentines too!

SAP

Flour-De-Lis

I love Seattle!

I really, really do! It's a beautiful city. Wonderful things are around every corner. Great food, amazing views of the water, the mountains and so much more. It's my favorite place :)

SAP

Flour-De-Lis

Bride and groom

My sister and her finance decided to get married on Valentines day! Yay!
Made these to help them celebrate...

SAP

Flour-De-Lis

Hearts and more hearts

SAP

Flour-De-Lis

More valentines cookies

TMNT

My first time using the KopyKake...

I think they turned out okay. The icing wasn't as smooth as usual. I guess I took too long. But outlining was so quick!

It took me twice as long on each cookie to do it free hand.

Mailed off to my little brother for Valentines day.

SAP

Flour-De-Lis

Early birthday!

I have been wanting a KopyKake for ages!! I've literally had three different companies selling them bookmarked on my computer and I check in daily hoping they've dropped the price 50%!
After reading Sweet Sugar Belle's account of her experience, To kopykake or not to kopykake. I became a little hesitant. I mean I DO a ton of orders, all the time, so I think I need it. But I've managed this far without it...
So many questions! Truly it's more affordable than my KitchenAid mixer and I also have a new one of those on my wish list. I don't want to spend over $200 on a tool that is going to sit in my closet and take up precious SHOE space!
I've done lots of research and really thought I made up my mind that I was going to save up and invest in the KK, until this second instalment of Sweet Sugar Belle's KopyKake review here. ShmopyKake!! Oh no!!
Well as it turns out, hubbytobe knew how much I have wanted one and decided to do a little secret birthday shopping! You guessed it, I am the luckiest girl alive! I came home yesterday to find an early birthday present waiting for me! My actual birthday isn't until Monday, but he wanted me to have all weekend to play with it! He's a keeper :)

So I now am a very proud and very excited owner of the KopyKake 300XK!

And now you know what I'll be doing all weekend! I have a few cookie orders to do, none of which will require my new BF, but I am going to make something that does!
I can't wait to share my experience and hopefully some pictures with you! Maybe I'll make some birthday cookies!
Secretly hoping it's still my BF by Monday and not on craigslist ;)

Come back on Monday to find out and until then please keep your fingers crossed for me!

SAP
Flour-De-Lis

Shutterfly cards

Dots Brown Pink 5x7 folded card

Create personalized greeting cards and invitations by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

When good things go bad...

And you have unexpected company, who are of course expecting something to be coming out of the oven the moment they walk in the door :)
 Do what I do and make banana bread, with a twist!

Banana Coconut Chai Bread
(adapted from this recipe)

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup fat free sour cream
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed (very ripe bananas)
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut (reduce sugar to 1/2 cup if using sweetened)
• 1/4 cup brewed chai tea (I use this when I have it, or brew fresh)
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, sour cream and eggs until smooth and blended.
4. Mix mashed bananas and tea into creamed mixture.
5. Add flour and mix until smooth.
6. Pour patter into greased 9x5 loaf pan (or muffins).
7. Bake for about an hour until toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool on rack for at least 10 minutes before removing from pan.

This is also fantastic the next day, toasted with a little butter :)

After I rush home, clean frantically, start dinner and get ready for guests, I'll make this and add pictures!

Happy Friday everyone, enjoy the weekend!

SAP

Flour-De-Lis

 

A few treats for your Valentine

I made these to ship out to a few friends :)
Sweet and simple! I love pink and polka-dots!

Here are a bunch waiting for the icing to set.

Love this one!

So much Pink!

Used my favorite chocolate cookie recipe (tastes like a brownie!) and royal icing!

Can't wait to bag them up and ship them off :)

SAP
Flour-De-Lis

My favorite cookie cutters

Cookie cutters are amazing little tools! They have so many uses, at least that's what I tell my boyfriend when he asks "do you really need more?!?"
I mean aside from being cookie cutters, they can also be used as stencils for scrapbooking and other crafts. They make cute little tie-ons for gift packaging, can be used to decorate your kitchen and as Christmas ornaments!
I have a few favorite cutters, that I use every year, some that I uses every month! But it's always nice to branch out and add tools to your trade :)
It's a really wonderful thing to find a local store that carries cookie cutters in a variety of shapes, but that doesn't happen too often. And when it does, I find myself immersed for hours looking at all the different shapes wondering what I could do with each one and when I'll get a chance to use it! Most places however only carry a few seasonal cutters. So I typically turn to the Internet to find what I am looking for.
There are a lot of great sites out there, but I recently found one that carries just about everything you can imagine! What's even better than their variety (in my opinion) is that all their tin cutters are recyclable! Who knew that stocking up on cookie cutters could also make you feel greener :)
I've already ordered from this site, and what do you know, I am back for more! I have about 10  35 new shapes in my cart right now, but have to wait until I check out one more local store before I buy.
If you want to check out the great selection, low prices and reasonable shipping, go here.
Be sure to check out American Tradition Cookie Cutters!

SAP
Flour-De-Lis

My Favorite Cutout Cookies

Finally all settled in. My first chance to really use the kitchen came last week with a BIG cookie order. 120 wedding cake cookie favors. And a few extras just for the bride and her bridesmaids!
I couldn't have done it without getting the kitchen unpacked, but it was barely ready to go.

I seriously need some better light and a real camera. I love my phone, but the picture quality just wont cut it. Actually I have a camera, just need to find it! Moving can be a wonderful new start, but it's also a hassle!

Let's forget about the move for a while and focus on the cookies! Mmmmm, cookies :)

I started with my favorite cut-out recipe. I get 2-3 dozen depending on the size of the cookie. I modify it with different flavors, but this is my go-to recipe:

Vanilla Bean Citrus Cut-outs

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups Flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter, cold
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla bean paste (I use this)
1/2 tsp orange bakery emulsion (find it HERE)

Directions:
1. Get that oven going, 350 degrees.
2. Combine the flour and baking powder in a separate bowl and set aside
3. In your mixer, cream the butter and sugar together.

4. Add the egg and flavors

5. Gradually add in the flour while mixing. Scrape the bowl as you add. Do this just until all the flour is incorporated.

6. Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface (I usually do this on waxed paper sheets so I can pop the into the fridge to firm up)
7. Cut out the shapes you want and place onto your cookie sheets (lined with parchment paper, not waxed paper!)
8. I usually place a tray of cut out cookies into the freezer for at least 5 minutes before placing in the oven, they hold their shape much better this way!
 9. Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Cookies will be lightly golden on the bottom to very slightly brown on the edges. Remove from sheet and cool on rack.

Now these little things are yummy on their own, but for this project (and most others) I needed royal icing.
Easy to make and great for cookie decorating.

Here are some pictures (again sorry for the phone quality)



Now you know what 120 cookies looks like!

All decorated and setting up

Bags and bows





 I had such a great time with this project! I mean sure it took me four days to complete, but it was worth every late night and delicious mistake :)

And as luck would have it, that same day the SEAHAWKS won their wildcard game to make it to the playoffs! So this week I'll be making some seahawk cookies to cheer them on. So many more little orders to do as well. I'll keep the pictures coming!

Thanks for stopping by!

SAP

Flour-De-Lis