Sugar Cookie Decorating Party!

I was inspired by Pioneer Woman and Bake at 350...

So, I had a Sugar Cookie Decorating Party.  Full pictures are up on my Facebook Page.

It took a while, but that was probably because I went nuts and made about 10 dozen cookies. 

Some of the finished cookies

I used Bake at 350's Sugar Cookie recipe, and her technique for royal icing outlines and flood icing inside.   I did not have any meringue powder, so I used pasteurized egg whites (from a carton, like Eggbeaters, but just whites), and Joy of Baking's recipe.

Transferring the flood option to a bottle

For the royal icing (piping and outlines), I used pastry bags with couplers and a small plain tip (#3).  For the flood icing, I used squirt bottles.

I made some mini cookies, too!  This should surprise no one

It was a complete blast and we have decided it needs to happen again next year for sure!

And, look at the great Rudolf that The Girl made all by herself!

Grape Penguins!

I saw Cream Cheese Penguins over on Foodie Footsteps.  Since my daughter wouldn't come near an olive with a ten foot pole, and since I have these super dark purple grapes this week (they were on sale), I thought I would give it a try.  And it worked!

I used grapes, a cut up babybell, and slices of baby carrot.  They are so cute!

(I tasted the grape with the babybell, and it was yummy.  Now, if only she would eat brie!)

Tip: Using a Hard Boiled Egg Mold

I posted a picture of my hard boiled egg molds in my Gear post, and I thought I would show you how they work.

First, you have to boil your eggs.  I bring water to a boil with eggs in it, then cover and turn the heat off and let the eggs sit for about 10 minutes.  There are probably better ways of boiling eggs, but this is the way that works for me.

After the eggs are boiled, while they are still hot, peel them and place them in the mold.  Close the mold and put in the fridge until cold.  I usually make 3 at a time and store them in the fridge until it's time to put them in lunches.

You can color them if you want to with food coloring or food color markers, but I usually skip that.  I did make a green egg for St. Patrick's Day last year, but it's not an everyday thing.

(For picture of a molded egg, see lunch posting)

Cool resource: Garnishing

I haven't tried these garnishing techniques yet, but they sure do look fun and easy.  I plan on using the carrot techniques particularly.  I with that my daughter liked cucumbers and bell peppers.  Check out the chicken made from an egg.  Way too adorable.

I don't go over the top with the cute stuff, but shaped carrots?  Easy and fun.

On another site that I found, there are even more ideas.  (The setup of that site is not as nice as the other, though).  I wonder if I could get my daughter to eat beets if they looked like a rose?  Another carrot idea is to use them as kind of a napkin ring.  Very cute.  My daughter appreciates steamed broccoli in her lunch, but would she eat the tomato cup, too?  I've done strawberry flowers before for a party, and they are very pretty and not very hard.

I can't wait to start playing with her food!