Cookie Crazie

Sending Love.....Cookie Style (Tutorial)

2012-01-31T07:56:00.000-06:00

Do you wanna send some love? Here's some fairly simple cookies to make for your loved ones. For the envelopes.....outline a square or rectangle cookie in white including the flaps. Notice the one on the left.....I did it first. I like the two on the right better. hee hee :) In them, I made the upper flap go down deeper into the bottom.....making it looking more realistic. Let the outline dry for 20-30 min. Then add sections. Start with the outer two triangles. (Dry for 10-15 min between each). Add the bottom next....and let dry. Finally add the upper flap. Notice I added more icing on the right cookie. Do that! ;) (But don't add so much that it collapses.....just enough to give it that 3D puff look.) I forgot to take pics of...

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Sealed With A Kiss......Valentines Cookies

2012-01-30T07:19:00.000-06:00

I've been busy with red, pink & white icing. :) Want to send some love? How about some love letters sealed with a kiss...... Be sure to put some LOVE-ly stamps on those envelopes.....either red...... or pink ones....... Tutorial coming tomorrow. Happy Monday!

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CookieCrazieBasics: Smooth Even Cookies....EVERY Time (Tutorial)

2012-01-28T18:37:00.001-06:00

Who knows how many times I've been asked questions like......"How do you get such smooth even cookies?" or "How do your cookies always turn out the same thickness?" or "How do you get your cookies so thick?" etc etc. I wish I could say it was skill.......but no, I have the perfect tool. I remember when I first got my DoBord. I was so excited! I even posted about it on this blog HERE. That was nearly two years ago.....and my DoBord is still going strong and as good as new. Love, love, love my DoBord! This quality product called the DoBord LTD is featured HERE .....the site where I purchased it. (They have great customer service.....by the way). Yes, it is expensive......but I'm telling you right now that it is worth ever penny. (I did a...

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Ultimate Cookie Quilt for MeeMaw's 80th Birthday

2012-01-27T07:45:00.000-06:00

Not only did I make special quilted birthday related cookies for my mother-in-law's 80th birthday last week, I also created a huge patchwork quilt of cookies for the big birthday party. This was definitely on my list of favorite cookie projects. :) Each "quilt square" was unique. Fun. :) It just makes me happy to see all the patterns and colors together. I heard some happiness in MeeMaw's voice when we talked on the phone. I'm glad. She's a very special lady who needs some extra special cookies to represent her wonderful life. :)

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Update on Pan Lids for Drying Cookies

2012-01-26T09:07:00.000-06:00

Learning is a process, right? Well.....I'm still learning about using lids on my half sheet pans to dry my cookies. More than a week ago, I did a post entitled "No Pan Rack for Drying Cookies....How about Pan Lids?" Since then I've learned some things.....and suspect I'll learn more in the coming days. ;) First of all, I put my lids over wet cookies the other day.....and it seems that is not a good idea. Look at how uneven the surfaces were the next morning when I took the lid off. :( Note to self (and to CookieCrazie blog readers): Let cookies dry for a few hrs before putting lid on pan to cover overnight. (In other words, don't put lid over very wet cookies.) Also, one of my readers (Susan) ordered the Nordic Ware lids for her Wear Ever half sheet pans...

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MeeMaw's 80th Birthday Quilted Cookies Collection

2012-01-25T08:38:00.000-06:00

My mother-in-law just turned 80 last week.....so I wanted to do some very special cookies for her. Since she is a quilter and I love to do quilted cookies......the theme was a no-brainer. :) I can not tell you how much fun I had taking all the normal birthday shapes and making them with a quilted look! Pure joy. I just talked to her last night. The crowd at the party devoured the cookies.....and she didn't get one. But she seemed so happy about them, that I don't think she minded. :)

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CookieCrazieBasics: Chocolate Cut-Out Recipe

2012-01-24T08:29:00.000-06:00

Now that you have my basic sugar cookie recipe, let's move to my chocolate cut-out recipe. I love making chocolate cookies on occasion......not only because chocolate is AMAZING (!) but because the dark background of the cookies really makes certain designs pop. All I've done for my recipe is modify my regular sugar cookie recipe. I didn't want to mess with the success I've had with the original......so I traded out some of the flour in the original recipe and added cocoa instead. It works well.....and is very yummy if I do say so myself. I also add coffee flavoring to intensify the chocolate flavor. Mmmmmm..... Notice I use THREE different kinds of cocoa. What did you expect from someone as CRAZIE as me?! I love the black cocoa I get from...

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Stitched With LOVE: Valentines Cookies

2012-01-23T06:59:00.001-06:00

It is a super windy Monday morning (almost scary wind!).....as I sit here with a lovely winter cold.....sneezing, coughing, and blowing my nose. :( Thankfully, I already have plenty of cookies and photos in line to show you.......so it is just a matter of putting together a post. I've got a few more "stitched" cookies to share with you......there never seems to be a shortage of those type cookies around here. hee hee And just in case you weren't aware........my cookies are Stitched with Love... I think that is probably the best part about making and decorating cookies. You put your heart and soul into them and then delight someone with them. I call that "Cookie Joy". :) I hope your day is filled with lots of joy....despite the weather or...

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Stitched Valentines Cookies (Tutorial)

2012-01-21T20:35:00.000-06:00

Wanting to make some Valentines heart cookies to share for the holiday? I've put together a little tutorial to help you make some of the simpler designs you see in my Stitched Hearts collection. _________________________________ To make the polka dot hearts..... Outline and then flood the cookie in your base color.....then immediately add your polka dots (wet on wet). For the size polka dot you see here.....I used a #2 round tip. But if you want larger dots, use a #4, and for smaller, use a #1. _______________________________ To make a checkerboard heart...... Use a #2 round tip to make your criss-cross pattern. Dry with heat gun and then let it air dry for 20-30 minutes. Fill in the darker of the two colors. Dry with heat gun...

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Simple Valentine Heart Cookie (Tutorial)

2012-01-20T10:05:00.001-06:00

Well.....it is about time I got to Valentines Day cookies. :) Actually I decorated hearts a couple of weeks ago.....but the snowmen revolted and took charge. hee hee I've got several simple tutorials to share with you for making some fun patterns on hearts.So here we go..... The day I did these cookies was one of those "happy days".Everything was "right with the world".....if you know what I mean. It was snowing outside....which always makes me happy. It was bright and cheery, warm and wonderful inside..... And I was getting to decorating cookies.....which always makes for a good day. :) So I got a little CRAZIE with the photos. ha ha I was enthralled with how pretty these Americolor gels looked all staged...

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Snowman Cookie Trio

2012-01-18T21:52:00.000-06:00

Here are my absolute favorite snowmen of this season! This one with the cap is my fave of the trio. I love how the hat turned out. :) Hee hee hee......they are so fun lined up in a row. OK......so this is probably my last winter cookies until next year. Kind of sad.....because we are not really having a winter here.....and these cookies may be the only winter I get to enjoy. :( Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

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CookieCrazie Basics: Sugar Cookie Recipe

2012-01-17T21:47:00.002-06:00

I'm doing a blog makeover in every way.....so get ready for all the basics & FAQ compiled into individual blog posts......along with lots of tutorials and decorated cookies. You thought I was CRAZIE before......watch out! hee hee So let's start at the beginning.....a very good place to start. :) Sugar Cookies... In my opinion......if you're gonna go to all the trouble to make it an awesome shape with incredible decoration on top......it better be the best sugar cookie you can possible make. Because if it doesn't taste out of this world...knock your socks off good......then what's the point??? I've been using the following recipe for many years. I think its "secret ingredient" is the sour cream. It holds its shape perfectly and tastes the best-est. :)...

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Snowmen Cookie Parade Continues.....My Faves

2012-01-16T10:07:00.000-06:00

They just keep coming. It may be like spring outside.......but the snowman cookie parade continues to try to drum up some winter. :) Here's some of my favorite men.... snowmen that is.... The left one is inspired by a Christmas tag my niece gave me this season.....just because I said I wanted to do a cookie with it. :) The right one is from a large candy piece cutter from Ecrandal with one side of the wrapper cut off. Continuing to improve my "knitted" look.... I call this my snowman ad. Someone said that with this kind of winter, the snowmen have to get out there and advertise, huh? Love! Probably my favorite of this set.....although I love them all! Awww....they just make me smile over and over again. =) OK.....surely you are in the mood for some snow...

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No Pan Rack for Drying Cookies? How about Pan Lids!

2012-01-14T20:21:00.001-06:00

I've always dreamed of having one of these........ or even one of these..... My two biggest deterrents......cost & where would I store it?!I have a big open great room that would not be very enhanced by a huge pan rack. ;)So I've put if off. I just keep letting my cookies dry on my dining room table.I guess that doesn't really enhance my great room beauty either. lol I use half sheet pans that I bought from Sam's Club in 2 packs. I love 'em! A couple of weeks ago, a wonderful cookie friend suggested these awesome pan lids. They are Nordic Ware Half Sheet Covers. They fit over my Sam's half sheet pans perfectly!!!!! Now I can cover my cookies while they dry.... and even stack the pans on the table......nice and neat. :) To say I'm excited...

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Keeping Those Heads Toasty.....Winter Hat Cookies

2012-01-13T06:57:00.000-06:00

We got a little snow yesterday.......not much. Maybe an inch or a little more. It's funny how this was the first "big" snow of the season and it reeked havoc everywhere. Come on people.......we had some major snows last year. Have we already forgotten how to deal with a little snow?! None the less.......it is very cold outside this morning......so a perfect time to share my winter hat collection. :) I'm fascinated by all the new hat styles lately. And I really want to achieve a woven/knitted look. I'm still workin' on it......but it's coming along. There's a couple of these I'd really like to wear.....just for the fun of it. Stay warm.......and I guess, stay off the roads for fear of those who can't remember how to drive in a little snow. lol

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Coffee Mug......Snowman Cookie Inspiration?

2012-01-11T21:11:00.000-06:00

Sometimes cookie inspiration comes in unexpected forms. My favorite winter mug......from Kohls a couple of years ago. First side...... Don't you just love that little face on the sled?! Other side..... I'm just CRAZIE about this snowman! He is just adorable. So......I HAD to make him into a cookie. ha ha The colors are a bit different.......but they are at least a little bit similar. Makes me happy every time I look at my mug. So I figured I'd make a cookie that would bring the same kind of happiness and smile. :) That's what we cookiers do. We can't help it. It just happens. So............things we see (and like!) end up on cookies. And it is pure joy.................................... =)

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Freezing Glaze Decorated Cookies?

2012-01-11T08:15:00.000-06:00

I REALLY wanted it to work.The idea of decorating cookies ahead and then freezing them is such a great idea.But I'm sad to report that when you're using glaze, it is not good idea. :( Back in November, I made a bunch of Thanksgiving cookies way ahead of time. I wanted to take cookies to work on Thanksgiving Day (cookies always make the dread of working a holiday not be so bad) to cheer everyone up......but I knew I wouldn't have time to make cookies that week. Plus, I wanted to see what decorated cookies did when frozen. So I stuck them in the freezer.They were there for at least a week and a half.They were wrapped and sealed in cello bags, and then put in a airtight container.When I took them out of the freezer, I thawed them completely before removing them from the...

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Snowmen Cookies........Stars of the Show

2012-01-09T07:55:00.002-06:00

They continue to pass by on the parade route...............what cuties they are..... More snowmen and other features coming. Have a terrific week!

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Let the Snowman Cookie Parade Begin.....

2012-01-07T18:31:00.003-06:00

Here come my latest snowman cookies. Made with lots of love......love for snow! love for snowmen! love for decorating cookies and coming up with new designs!.......and a love for all my blog readers! Here's wishing your 2012 is filled with lots of things you love. :) And now the parade will begin........ I envisioned these two coming out much grander than they did. And it was hard to photograph the disco dust and pizazz...... sigh...... My new love.....word art cookies..... Stay put in your parade route seats (hopefully in a WARM place, ha ha) because there is much more from our snowman participants. I know.....I'm corny. ;)

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Fit For A Queen.....A COOKIE Queen that is.... :)

2012-01-06T08:32:00.000-06:00

Several months ago I made a humongous cookie for a special gathering of a bunch cookie friends. The group we're in is called Cookie Queens.....so we all made queen related cookies. What fun it was to see what everyone came up with. I wanted to do something extra special.....so I had this "brilliant" idea to make a really large cookie sheet and place all kinds of cookie/queen related cookies on it. The problem was that even though I supported it well in a box in my suitcase for travel to the event.....it broke right down the middle. :( It made me so very very sad and it really made for a cruddy presentation. But thankfully......I took pics of it when it was whole. :) Lesson learned......there are some cookies that are TOO large......and.....don't travel with them....

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A Little Winter Smile.....with a Snowman Cookie of course :)

2012-01-05T08:04:00.000-06:00

I hope to bring a smile to your face with these snowmen cookies. I LOVE snowmen.....so it is a sure thing for me.But maybe just seeing their happy faces will do it for you, even if you aren't a snowman lover. And these circle face cookies are super easy.......just flood with white and immediately add black sugar pearls for eyes. Let dry 10-20 min before adding a carrot nose. After drying overnight, brush on some pink petal dust to the cheeks and add eyebrows and a mouth with a food coloring marker.Cute, cute, cute and simple, simple, simple. :) Today I'm headed into the kitchen to do a plethora (love that word!) of snowmen and winter shapes. Hopefully I'll have a whole crop of winter cookie pics for you next week. Yeah! Now if we could just get it to act like winter here in...

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Cookies for a December Birthday GIRL

2012-01-01T16:07:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year everyone!I can hardly believe that it is 2012. I've written enough today at work to know it is real......but it still is hard to believe.We try to prepare for it.....but when it happens, it's almost like.....wait a minute!!!!.....where did last year go? I want it back! :) I promised I'd show the birthday cookies I came up with for Kayle, my son's girlfriend....who also has a birthday in December. It was fun to add the pink accents. Oh boy.....this week I get to go back into the kitchen and start working on cookies. Yeah! I'm excited. My little "vacation" refreshed me and lit my fire again.................. Look out SNOW/WINTER related cookies and VALENTINES cookies.....here I come!

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2011.....It was a very good year for cookies!

2011-12-30T14:49:00.002-06:00

It's that time when you reminisce about the past year.....and then start looking ahead to the future. On this blog, of course, we'll do it in COOKIES. :) I feel like I've grown a TON as a cookie decorator over these last twelve months. I have a bunch of really talented friends of like-mind surrounding me.....and it seems that we challenge each other on a regular basis. When you see someone else create a fabulous cookie......all you want to do is improve yourself and try to achieve the next level too. I've found myself experimenting a lot this year.....and have found several techniques that really work well. I've done more with giving cookies a 3D look (with glaze!), using a paint brush to enhance my cookies, and finding more and more ways to add that extra special touch to certain...

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December Birthdays......Need Special Cookies

2011-12-28T09:50:00.001-06:00

Being a December baby, I'm kind of sensitive to those that share this month for their birthday. Christmas is usually the ultimate holiday with more celebrating, food, get-togethers, gifts, singing, partying, etc etc etc than any other time of the year. So when your birthday falls around Christmas, it is often not quite as celebrated and made over as birthdays at other times of the year. My son's birthday (Neil's) is December 16.....and ever since he was born.....I've done my best to make sure his birthday is as special as all the other birthdays in our family NOT in December. Nothing resembles Christmas.....whether in the gift wrap or the decorations.....and CERTAINLY not on the cookies I make for him. =) In January of this year, I tried a new recipe for chocolate chip roll out cookies...

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From Christmas to Winter Hat/Mitten Collection :)

2011-12-26T19:26:00.000-06:00

We had a wonderful Christmas. We celebrated as a family early so we could make a trip to Memphis to spend time with my in-laws yesterday. It ended up a whirlwind weekend.....but very fun and memorable. And I'm glad to be HOME......and excited about sleeping in my own bed tonight. :) I saved a bunch of the Christmas cookies I did last week.....to share with you after the holiday, because they were as many winter-related cookies as Christmas-related. And I needed a stash of photos to show you since I plan to completely CHILL from cookie decorating this week.....remember?? The last couple of weeks have been kind of stressful, and I needed a break to recharge for the new year.Plus.....tomorrow I'm turning one year older.....and this is my way of celebrating. :) I LOVE winter......love snow,...

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