Daring Bakers: Decorated Sugar Cookies

The September 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mandy of “What the Fruitcake?!” Mandy challenged everyone to make Decorated Sugar Cookies based on recipes from Peggy Porschen and The Joy of Baking.

Recipe Here

So the challenge this month was to make cookies in "September" theme. I really don't have anything special for September. I thought about doing button cookies for national sewing month, but that seemed kinda boring. So I thought about what September meant to me and I thought of going for walks, and school field trips, which led me to puppies and dinosaurs. I know its a stretch, but seriously September? Other than football and apples there really isn't anything very September-y.But anyways, I added a bag of cherry herbal tea to the recipe but other than that is stayed the same. Next time I will add 2 bags to try and bring the flavor out more. The recipe is REALLY easy to do. Not terribly tasty, but not terribly icky either. It's a good conduit for frosting.

I used a basic butter cream frosting that I had leftover from some cupcakes on some of the cookies. The recipe is:

1/2 C. salted butter
1/2 C. vegetable shortening
4 C. Sifted powder sugar
2 TBL. Milk
1 Tsp Vanilla or Almond Extract

Cream butter and shortening. Add sugar. Add milk and Extracts.

it's pretty easy. And pretty tasty. If you can let it set for a day or two before using, the powdered sugar breaks down even more and you have this yummy cream frosting. If anyone knows how to make buttercream frosting smooth on a cookie please let me know.

For the dinosaurs I used the royal icing recipe in the recipe. It was fun to decorate with. Kinda like a grown up coloring book. Pretty tasty as far as royal icings go.


There is just something cheerful about pok-a-dotted dinosaurs. It might not be the most September-y thing out there, but It reminds me of the days we went to the science & field museum.

Vist from the Great-Grandparents

Last week, Captain's grandparents came to visit us for a day.We had a nice relaxing time. I didn't have to cook once, and it gave me a reason to deep clean my home.



I tried to get a pic of Harvey with his great grand parents, but he wasn't in the mood to cooperate.

Crafting Chicks

I went out to my mail box the other day (okay it might have been closer to a month ago) and received a little surprise.



Jamie @ the Crafting Chicks sent me some baby legs for Harvey. They are super cute and I can't wait for it to get cool enough for him to wear them. Side note, right now September 21st, it is 95 degrees outside.

The Crafting Chicks is a blog I follow in my reader. They have fun decorating ideas and crafts, and sometimes have giveaways where you can win super cool stuff (aka... baby leg warmers)

Anyways right now they have some Halloween stuff up that I am excited to try. I love Halloween and it is my favorite holiday second only to Easter. (notice a trend? candy= fun holidays) Sadly though I have no Halloween decorations. I'm going to try some of the things they have posted there. The chandelier is cool, but the banner may be more my style. Anyhow go and check it out. The Crafting Chicks.com

Stuck

Harvey is fairly curious by nature, and as a result often times gets himself into situations he needs help getting out of.

For example, video taps fascinate him for some reason.

Here is a closer look. Notice his thumb is stuck.

Of course I, being the good mom that I am, always comes to Harvey's rescue. I never would sit there and laugh at his frustration while trying to find my camera.

Mad Science

A science experiment begins.

Hello, what's this?

I must investigate.

Just as I thought.

My knuckles are too big to fit through.

Well cat you have been saved from poke-age this time.....

Back off I'm doing science.

Garden Fresh Salsa

It's time I showed you all what i have been doing with the produce from the garden. I love homemade salsa, but am kinda lazy and don't want to precook the tomatoes and peal them so I tried it with leaving the skins on and it turned out quite fine.



You will need:
3 tbls olive oil
5 qts Tomatoes (about 16 cups chopped)
4-5 cups chopped Peppers (your choice)
2 Large onions (3 cups)
1 whole bulb garlic
2 tbl salt
1 tbl cumin
1 bunch cilantro
2 Lemons (juice & Zest)
Fresh Basil (opt.) to taste
Fresh Oregano (opt) to taste

* keep in mind these are approximate measurements it doesn't need to be perfectly proportioned. The basic ratio is twice as much tomatoes as onions peppers and seasonings. (i.e. 2 cups tomatoes, 1/2 cup onion, 1/2 cup pepper)

Throw everything into a food processor and grind to desired consistency.

Saute onions and peppers in oil and saute about 5 minutes over medium heat.

Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil then reduce heat so that it simmers. Cook to desired consistency (about 1-2 hours) Adjust seasonings as needed. Feel free to throw this back into the food processor, or use an immersion blender if you want it to be extra fine.

makes 4 quarts

I've read that this needs to be eaten within 2 weeks. I haven't tried preparing it for food storage as I've never had it last that long. But if anyone has advice on how to seal these for long term storage i would appreciate it.



Serve with chips and enjoy!
Printable Recipe

Bananas

enough said.