Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy time with loved ones and friends. :)

Tuesday Tip of the Week {rolling pin bands}

If I had to choose ONE tool that has significantly improved my cookie making, it would have to be my Rolling Pin Rubber Rings that my hubby got me as a present.

Once you pop these babies on your rolling pin, you can roll your dough to uniform thickness. Every. Single. Time. 

Mind. Blown.

The rings keep the rolling pin a precise distance from the dough, so you never get cookies that are too thin or too thick. The set he got me included 8 different rings, or 4 pairs: 1/16-inch, 1/8-inch, 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch. 

I use the 1/4-inch pair and my cookies turn out perfect every time.

Do you have a favorite tool that you can't live without?

Send a smile

Do you know someone who could use a little pick-me-up? Send cookies! Here's a platter that went out to Texas for a mom who broke her ankle but still had kiddos to take care of. Someone thought she needed a little cheer, so hearts and balloons were in order!

Is there someone in your life who needs some love?

Tuesday Tip of the Week {dividing dough}

I have tried many different sugar cookies recipes but the only one I use now is THIS ONE. I get consistent results with cookies that are buttery, delicious, and not too sweet. The dough is also very easy to work with.

To make it easier to roll out your dough, divide it into 4 blobs (yes, that's the official name for it) and place each blob on a separate saran wrap rectangle.

I usually just eyeball it to make sure my blobs are roughly even, but if you're picky you can use a scale.

Once your blobs are equal, form them into balls.

Then flatten each ball into a disk and wrap each disk with the saran wrap. Place your disks of dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour before rolling and cutting out your cookies. If you have dough left over, place saran-wrapped disks in a freezer bag and freeze.

Using only a quarter of the dough at a time makes it much easier to roll out. Depending on the size of the cookie cutter you're using, you can expect to get anywhere from 8-20 cookies per disk.

I hope this helps when you start making your holiday cookies! Happy baking!

Thanksgiving

I don't know where this year has gone, but Thanksgiving is just over 2 weeks away and time is running out to order your cookies! Thanksgiving cookies make a beautifully thoughtful hostess gift or a great addition to your own dessert table. Local orders must be placed by November 20, for pickup in Collierville on November 26. Out-of-town orders must be placed by November 18, to be shipped via USPS Priority Mail on November 22.

Tuesday Tip of the Week {baking sheets}

What you bake your cookies ON can really affect how your cookies turn out. Do they bake unevenly? Do the bottoms burn before the middle is cooked through? Do your pans warp when they hit the heat of your oven? I've tried several different cookie sheets, and I'm finally happy with THESE from NordicWare.

Coupled with my trusted Silpats, these really do the trick. They are sturdy and bake evenly and I get consistent results every time. And with the Silpats, nothing sticks and they're a breeze to clean.

Happy baking!

Veteran's Day

Thank you to all the Veterans who have served this country so well!

Tuesday Tip of the Week {cookie spread, part 2}

In my first Tip of the Week, I suggested putting cut-out dough into the fridge before baking to prevent cookie spread. The other way to combat this is by reducing the amount of baking powder in your cookie recipe. I use enough to help the cookies rise, but not so much that they'll spread and lose their shape. For my entire recipe, I use only 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

I've added a tab at the top of the page where you can find my sugar cookie recipe and my royal icing recipe, or you can click HERE. Enjoy them!

More School Logos

In addition to college logos, I can do elementary schools, middle schools and high schools too! These GL logos were part of a platter for a graduation party for a Gull Lake, Michigan grad.

And these were for Rossville Christian Academy's fall fundraiser.

How would your school's logo look on a cookie?? 

Don't blink!

Living in the South is new to me. The summer wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and I really enjoyed no snow in the winter, but one thing I really miss is the fall. I miss the pumpkin patches, apple picking, warm apple cider, hayrides, and the beautiful fall foliage. It goes from HOT HOT HOT to COLD here in the blink of an eye. Most of the leaves go from green to brown and it makes me a little homesick.

I figured if I couldn't have fall outside, I could bake it up inside! Just looking at these cookies makes me happy. I hope they make you happy too!