He he! Funnily enough I'd decided to make Valentine's cookies as well this year -since moving to the States I've become obsessed with the American obsession with cookies and all the gorgeous cookie cutters you buy.
So when I saw this beautiful picture on a brochure from Sur La Table I really wanted to give them a try (looks like these particular cutters are sold out for now).
It was of course just a ruse to buy the most beautiful set of copper cookie cutters. Aren't they gorgeous? Is it right to be emotionally moved by cookie cutters?
I used my favourite sugar cookie recipe and added a teaspoon of cocoa to half the dough to make chocolate cookies.
Then I covered them with royal icing. I've never used royal icing for cookies before - only for a traditional English Christmas cake - but definitely will again.
So here is the finished result. Admittedly, I was a bit heavy handed with the pink food colouring, and my white writing icing melted for some reason, and my cookie decorating skills leave quite a lot to be desired. But let's just say that quite a few have already been eaten.
I bow to your obvious greatness and admit defeat. I fear my gorgeously reportcard will read 'must try harder'. I don't think it's abnormal to be emotionally moved by cookie cutters. I think you would be abnormal if you weren't in this instance. Lust is not the word!! I'm claiming it's the cutters that saved you, but I think I may demand a rematch for Easter.
Competitive?! Moi?!
Posted by: Helen | February 15, 2007 at 09:55 AM
Your cookies look great! I love to make cookies and my recipe is similar to yours. I have never used the royal icing though. Was it easy? I've always just used milk and powdered sugar. I'm addicted to buying cutters..there are so many cute ones! My latest one is a large copper fleur de lis.
Posted by: christy | February 15, 2007 at 04:00 PM
The royal icing was MUCH easier than I thought it would be. The cookie recipe linked to above also has one for royal icing (I used the version with egg whites rather than meringue powder) and it was the perfect consistency - easy to spread without the icing falling off but soft enough to end up with a lovely smooth surface. It was also really good for piping as I found out after my little tube of gloopy writing icing had finished.
I don't see how you wouldn't be addicted to cutters in this country. In the UK we're not so into cookies and the range of cutters you can buy is quite small. So the cookware shops here are just mesmerising.
Posted by: paola | February 15, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Helen, I'm planning my Easter ones already...
http://www.surlatable.com/product/kitchenbakeware/cookie+%26+biscuit+cutters-presses/easter+copper+cookie+cutter+set.do
Posted by: paola | February 15, 2007 at 04:44 PM
How funny! I received the very same Sur la Table catalog and also tried my hand at replicating the cookies back in 2007, as they were sooo beautiful. And I've just recently made some for a Valentine's Day party this year as well. You can see my results here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65753377@N00/2134468315/in/set-72157613893396714/
Posted by: Emily | February 19, 2010 at 10:51 AM