Saturday, December 12, 2009

Cookie Cook-off


The other night, my husband came home asking me if i'm ready, "Ready for what?" I asked. Ready for a Cookie Cook-off, he replied...Hmmm, he handed me this piece of paper about the cook-off at his workplace this coming Thursday, Dec. 17...I seldom bake cookies although I have a couple of Cookie books...I'm planning to bake 3 types of cookie for his entry, probably The Ultimate Chocolate Chips Cookie, Lemon Poppy Seeds Cookie and a Short Bread Cookie...It would be a shame if none of them makes it...Well, better than nothing...He can claim that he baked them all and I just helped him...If he wins, he gets the credit and I get the prize, ha-ha-hah! That would be my deal with him, see what he says...I'm excited about this coz i've never joined any cook-offs before...This will be the ultimate test if I can make good cookies or not...Whether the entries win or not, atleast we've tried...Wish me luck...



December 19,2009, Saturday



I actually ended up with Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies. I started making the cookie dough on monday Dec. 14 coz I wanted to frost 2 doz. cookies and be finished by wednesday night. I only have 5 christmas cookie cutters which I had bought in Stowe,Vermont in October. I never thought I would ever use them coz I had never baked a cutout cookie in my life. So when my husband told me about this cook-off, I didn't think twice. I could finally use my cookie cutters! I even urged my colleague at work to bake some sugar cookies to give away to the kitchen staff's kids. So back to the cookie cook-off, they all turned out nice. It's time consuming though and labor intensive but the result was worth it coz they look so pretty. I didn't expect them to win coz I know that with the sugar frosting, it will taste really sweet. They're just nice to look at. Atleast, I stick to the theme or holiday season. My husband was really proud eventhough we did not win but we got a lot of compliments and some thought they were store bought. He took some photos of me while frosting them just to prove they're homemade. We're just happy to be a part of it. My first ever cookie cook off. What an experience and i'll do it again. why not? Happy Holidays to all!!!



ULTIMATE SUGAR COOKIES (Adapted from The Cookie Bible)

1 1/4 Cups Granulated sugar
1 Butter -Flavor crisco Stick or 1 Cup Crisco Veg. shortening
2 Eggs
1/4 Cup Light corn syrup
1 Tbsp Vanilla
3 Cups plus 4 Tbsp All-purpose flour
3/4 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp Salt

1. Beat on medium speed the sugar and shortening until well blended. Add eggs, syrup and vanilla. Beat until weel blended and fluffy.

2. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add gradually to creamed mixture at low speed until well blended. Divide dough into four parts and keep in refrigerator for 30 mins. to an hour.

3. Heat oven to 375 deg.F. Place wax paper on counter top. Dust with flour and place dough. Dust dough with flour and top with a sheet of wax paper. Flatted slightly with hands. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove top sheet.

4. Cut out cookies with floured cutter. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet. Place 2 inches apart. Roll out remaining dough. Re-roll the trimmings. Sprinkle with granulated sugar or decorate when cooled.

5.Bake for 5 to 9 minutes or until edges are slightly golden brown. Don't overbake. Cool completely before frosting.



SUGAR FROSTING

2 Cups Powdered or Confectioner Sugar
3 Tbsp Milk (Lemon Juice for flavor)
Food coloring (Few drops at a time)

Combine all and adjust consistency by adding liquid if it's too thick to spread.

I used disposable piping bags coz I needed to make 7 shades and it's easier to make the borders first to prevent the frosting from running to the sides. I've also used the pointed offset palette knife (Ateco) for spreading the frosting to corners.