New Holiday Collection! Linens, Wreaths, Bulb Baskets, Tissue Paper...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k7LSbkIPoXQkh3cgjj3x03DudtyUcqt7DxA_PgULa3nICXVtLLdsv9s3NjKiENdgGujCB8xsXjrY_LWm6XiIujsd3A5JzvMr8TZpSJ93P6QFVnzJdZh9e9o3UxkZvN5riHZcPLeixc1U/s1600/holiday+items+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k7LSbkIPoXQkh3cgjj3x03DudtyUcqt7DxA_PgULa3nICXVtLLdsv9s3NjKiENdgGujCB8xsXjrY_LWm6XiIujsd3A5JzvMr8TZpSJ93P6QFVnzJdZh9e9o3UxkZvN5riHZcPLeixc1U/s1600/holiday+items+1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKJ_wU1nkDKhBKAeDWeO98z0phsVxIgWQu_4bxRUpdSrXbcRbvANAGFjcfo2HM_TPGZBhSFx2JsQ7fuCTzeMwKC6pbgUw4cKxj3lgeE3q2pSj5uWTY_FICqfxEDp_tMza3yHk_tjqTBSV/s1600/holiday+items+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKJ_wU1nkDKhBKAeDWeO98z0phsVxIgWQu_4bxRUpdSrXbcRbvANAGFjcfo2HM_TPGZBhSFx2JsQ7fuCTzeMwKC6pbgUw4cKxj3lgeE3q2pSj5uWTY_FICqfxEDp_tMza3yHk_tjqTBSV/s1600/holiday+items+2.png" width="370" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">Holiday Collection</span></i><br /><br />Last week I came out with a few of my holiday products (handmade Copper Cookie Cutters!) for those of you who were ordering some items for Thanksgiving.  Today, <i>all</i> of my Holiday products are up and available.   I'm not going to go into great detail about each new product today, because I'll be doing that throughout the holiday season. <br /><br />You'll find my favorite Preserved Boxwood Wreath, 4" Red Satin Ribbon, festive Linens, new Kraft Bags and Boxes, Tissue Paper and (one of my favorites) Bulb Baskets for Amaryllis and Paperwhites.  There are essentials for holiday baking (Monkey Bread Pans!), festive things for your home and gifts - for yourself and your favorite people.<br /><br />Explore the entire Holiday Collection, <a href="https://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/holiday">here</a>.<br /><br />I'm taking a little bit of a different approach to the season - instead of jumping ahead and doing all of my baking and decorating for the season a month ahead of time so I can take photos for the store (like I've done for Easter, Summer, Fall and Halloween...), I'm going to take my time and enjoy my favorite season.  So, instead of all of my photos and baking projects coming out in one day, I'm spreading them throughout the holiday season- like a real person : )   I learned my lesson this Halloween when Oct. 31st rolled around and Emma and I didn't even decorate cookies together because I had done it back in September.<br /><br />Because I know you are all creative and inspired readers, I know you'll have great ideas for the products, too.  So, fix yourself a cup of peppermint tea and enjoy exploring my entire <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/holiday">Holiday Collection</a>!<br /><br />Happy Holidays!<br />Jenny

New Holiday Collection! Linens, Wreaths, Bulb Baskets, Tissue Paper...

Holiday Collection Last week I came out with a few of my holiday products (handmade Copper Cookie Cutters!) for those of you who were orderi...

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Easy, Easy Snowflake Sugar Cookies | Just in time for the snow!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsKqSNBcHOTUqfd1VrpL9X5KjlQkyYaVfnNNN398us-Zb2lEB3hNvBYEmXmncZ87cBtTsXNxLj7h-GYsYsbGuHv22G-g6jYZYDw7VsqOUDvd9Ik-SpigQ4xG1Y3VTv9gVmBfDiwZpelg/s1600/IMG_9301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsKqSNBcHOTUqfd1VrpL9X5KjlQkyYaVfnNNN398us-Zb2lEB3hNvBYEmXmncZ87cBtTsXNxLj7h-GYsYsbGuHv22G-g6jYZYDw7VsqOUDvd9Ik-SpigQ4xG1Y3VTv9gVmBfDiwZpelg/s640/IMG_9301.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Is my timing great, or what? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgoAnhiZ9qQM6pkVewYUOVRDDjmFGR_KSlJEjilUGqFSsrBN1gM51QSiA7EKEY1zMRNC-gfgU58eMx02ATRoTXz8yKCe-T545cjOIbonfy5ZG9UYplbZ1j13DJ-5tpmbio8QDUHe6dZU/s1600/IMG_9327.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgoAnhiZ9qQM6pkVewYUOVRDDjmFGR_KSlJEjilUGqFSsrBN1gM51QSiA7EKEY1zMRNC-gfgU58eMx02ATRoTXz8yKCe-T545cjOIbonfy5ZG9UYplbZ1j13DJ-5tpmbio8QDUHe6dZU/s640/IMG_9327.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WtvbcV-QoytSMeRnIHyF5gC0kRPbEAP47XZIxScNzKa79L7RxLqhhTOvpwlSXlC0lURPWzhNj3R2cpJLwtrU6qnAMIxtg7ydHWutR-my3adMTR2UdsV8fQlk7ksvtnPT9W1fdBa8AYg/s1600/IMG_9343.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WtvbcV-QoytSMeRnIHyF5gC0kRPbEAP47XZIxScNzKa79L7RxLqhhTOvpwlSXlC0lURPWzhNj3R2cpJLwtrU6qnAMIxtg7ydHWutR-my3adMTR2UdsV8fQlk7ksvtnPT9W1fdBa8AYg/s640/IMG_9343.jpg" width="425" /></a> Here are the cookies all stacked up ready for our neighborhood open house tonight... just in time for the snow!  I guess it is a good thing that everyone can just walk home...<br /><br /><br /><br />These snowflakes are soooo easy to decorate.  If you can make a straight line and sprinkle sprinkles, you're golden.  All you need is a plastic piping bag (you can get one from your bakery at the grocery store) and clear sprinkles... or white, or whatever you can find.<br /><br /><br /><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Feasy-easy-snowflake-sugar-cookies-just.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-IdL0aAkwwjM%2FUNNzGrHv7iI%2FAAAAAAAAPE4%2FteV_rGrdlAg%2Fs1600%2Fsnowflake-cookies.jpg&description=Christmas%20Cookies%21%0A%0AEasy%20Snowflake%20Sugar%20Cookies%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Feasy-easy-snowflake-sugar-cookies-just.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH8v6YqC4HstM5JkuNZhhRvobtw0rZrCIvAXmoPbwL2N9rDRd5ETv_0cJz9hcluYv65KAg5aBGnIX88rWR12vJ1b52lk13xXTmeD9Vtpv5v-qs2Pb8V7Jz1iKJO3ZV7fvyvSIcLg69O0/s1600/IMG_9317.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH8v6YqC4HstM5JkuNZhhRvobtw0rZrCIvAXmoPbwL2N9rDRd5ETv_0cJz9hcluYv65KAg5aBGnIX88rWR12vJ1b52lk13xXTmeD9Vtpv5v-qs2Pb8V7Jz1iKJO3ZV7fvyvSIcLg69O0/s640/IMG_9317.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />Here is <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-cookies-sugar-cookies-from.html">my recipe for the sugar cookies and icing</a>, and here is the step-by-step for decorating these snowflakes :<br /><br /><br />1) Bake the cookies<br />2) Put a layer of white icing all over the cookie.<br />3) Let it dry and harden for 1+ hours.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk1mFl4t4-cS83J-DS5V9wWx1fe3TlPHsZgyGHLFxv2w77mLN4P3kLqyKKgQP2ORB5WxOp71cIjozqaJaYp1cuYvxFqxDAR1KVu6wWb0ZRMXJFIk7ayACgDog3uPdJczSdaAd120JA1I/s1600/IMG_9309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk1mFl4t4-cS83J-DS5V9wWx1fe3TlPHsZgyGHLFxv2w77mLN4P3kLqyKKgQP2ORB5WxOp71cIjozqaJaYp1cuYvxFqxDAR1KVu6wWb0ZRMXJFIk7ayACgDog3uPdJczSdaAd120JA1I/s640/IMG_9309.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />Here is the first layer, dried.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6GXle7e4iAz6XCoczaDjWNu1nt97S5xFFjbCe5eavc1_K37rKPXZ3jjAuCEEXsckEltHDzxwuxBtWOq_-8acdDc0y-s4SUtYS65UZEq2joc05Kvru9kiZCUUlbgQFxN0zoAIMxbw3N4/s1600/IMG_9314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6GXle7e4iAz6XCoczaDjWNu1nt97S5xFFjbCe5eavc1_K37rKPXZ3jjAuCEEXsckEltHDzxwuxBtWOq_-8acdDc0y-s4SUtYS65UZEq2joc05Kvru9kiZCUUlbgQFxN0zoAIMxbw3N4/s640/IMG_9314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here is the design I made one most of the cookies.  If you have trouble with straight lines, then you can do dots, which look really cute, too. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAb-ZssSaq2-gegNXbyNvHkku_Kor2n9QF6QNTjU39diLnEvF0zVLXYRajnFDiEmoGDTg7aNBRu3T7XLrGSSxfVB2dj78EABQqkJAWtBRl7C1NAfHQ45KjtkUYrw7j5TZCwNJpaT7zRc/s1600/IMG_9318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAb-ZssSaq2-gegNXbyNvHkku_Kor2n9QF6QNTjU39diLnEvF0zVLXYRajnFDiEmoGDTg7aNBRu3T7XLrGSSxfVB2dj78EABQqkJAWtBRl7C1NAfHQ45KjtkUYrw7j5TZCwNJpaT7zRc/s640/IMG_9318.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pour sprinkles over... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOIyR_C9ydMobVoG7jgonIO2kb3rLWLY2jR2vADYvfibLJqCO85eoeGSf_g8gqQa8K4LCc7SQkoknBphGWDt_zjay6y7ZCOY-HVLZyljeRFk2oBRb1ko5uaAh5J5Wc-0uRWyT9NvtWKc/s1600/IMG_9321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOIyR_C9ydMobVoG7jgonIO2kb3rLWLY2jR2vADYvfibLJqCO85eoeGSf_g8gqQa8K4LCc7SQkoknBphGWDt_zjay6y7ZCOY-HVLZyljeRFk2oBRb1ko5uaAh5J5Wc-0uRWyT9NvtWKc/s640/IMG_9321.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Shake off.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FEv-0_Xg4x5YHEOyvT_1LFSBJnKRUnKUDchVDSiSRLcTucIxEhJWN6wjAdjSKD_W0PKDe7eiIYKYTD69qqzoCeb_4VqvrgiEPJPhmMlUg9J9BGQ4rnSWX3c6Na3tZngI-0Fn0H8lvO4/s1600/IMG_9324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FEv-0_Xg4x5YHEOyvT_1LFSBJnKRUnKUDchVDSiSRLcTucIxEhJWN6wjAdjSKD_W0PKDe7eiIYKYTD69qqzoCeb_4VqvrgiEPJPhmMlUg9J9BGQ4rnSWX3c6Na3tZngI-0Fn0H8lvO4/s640/IMG_9324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Done.  Look, it is snowing inside, too!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5dyVap78o4nV-L0C_uVy4tWbbYK_g-HrLhOerPOlIpWCSNO58yAdoaklmhM7VzudpPixRNFJeSKxC2lpfEYusLi9W25z-vVNwGqJqQrfl44kWR7F-s45PUajkZl40ihspZkd96j3pro/s1600/IMG_9332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5dyVap78o4nV-L0C_uVy4tWbbYK_g-HrLhOerPOlIpWCSNO58yAdoaklmhM7VzudpPixRNFJeSKxC2lpfEYusLi9W25z-vVNwGqJqQrfl44kWR7F-s45PUajkZl40ihspZkd96j3pro/s640/IMG_9332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The paperwhites in my kitchen looking out to the snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGwE43s2SkdKBquB2i74QBqP3bDjZ7GSX0yrVYTHO1SVMAFmI1jzmjN0B_RtZuN26HdMc9xUkJuG0PAZEfowvxwpx97tuUEn4eU485rFcN0FcC1k9m4x09mQgQgJUffOQwhu5tWrWb0w/s1600/IMG_9281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGwE43s2SkdKBquB2i74QBqP3bDjZ7GSX0yrVYTHO1SVMAFmI1jzmjN0B_RtZuN26HdMc9xUkJuG0PAZEfowvxwpx97tuUEn4eU485rFcN0FcC1k9m4x09mQgQgJUffOQwhu5tWrWb0w/s640/IMG_9281.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /> Emma got in on the fun, too...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Gog5OxwGEBVGfuLEHyL9a-MEi9CckbVDzy-RDfOJpJJ-J2uRNwg8sFNAruQYr0BhiC13Bh9hZ9v7UrdLTaWFeOwUeau6maJfqrGNtwYXPBDklNqL8peJUaFrAHwxRsAAEEr-0AXuUHQ/s1600/IMG_9285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Gog5OxwGEBVGfuLEHyL9a-MEi9CckbVDzy-RDfOJpJJ-J2uRNwg8sFNAruQYr0BhiC13Bh9hZ9v7UrdLTaWFeOwUeau6maJfqrGNtwYXPBDklNqL8peJUaFrAHwxRsAAEEr-0AXuUHQ/s640/IMG_9285.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />With colored sprinkles for her friends at schools and the teachers.  Next up, bath time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5LcMO5T5UtVRiQunn4hy_dYNXwmCuDHVzHg85WOYlMOO5XU1yhcVjGRfKJsIC7xRamXG5_7S3lAP3ayWBkQcuw_MAnv9hqJ86_gct6gSkSaBmT0DIPAzCjovCvNxbMorww8ttS-QtS4/s1600/snowflake-cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5LcMO5T5UtVRiQunn4hy_dYNXwmCuDHVzHg85WOYlMOO5XU1yhcVjGRfKJsIC7xRamXG5_7S3lAP3ayWBkQcuw_MAnv9hqJ86_gct6gSkSaBmT0DIPAzCjovCvNxbMorww8ttS-QtS4/s1600/snowflake-cookies.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here is the easy-to-pin strip!<br /><br /> <a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Feasy-easy-snowflake-sugar-cookies-just.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-IdL0aAkwwjM%2FUNNzGrHv7iI%2FAAAAAAAAPE4%2FteV_rGrdlAg%2Fs1600%2Fsnowflake-cookies.jpg&description=Christmas%20Cookies%21%0A%0AEasy%20Snowflake%20Sugar%20Cookies%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Feasy-easy-snowflake-sugar-cookies-just.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Easy, Easy Snowflake Sugar Cookies | Just in time for the snow!

Is my timing great, or what? Here are the cookies all stacked up ready for our neighborhood open house tonight... just in time for the snow...

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Ginger Spice Cookies | Holiday Cookies

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDArcRpK3133AX7F91Rhj6VTUNYbRFTHNFHhZalTV14V1T_2p-LsR3UnbEwZRP9oxRSVsATQYT9EBH7B-TJlU6djm8x07e4dbtzuXMARDHQQgxGlI3jlUOShm6ao0MyMWI2W0CIx2uMA/s1600/IMG_8726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDArcRpK3133AX7F91Rhj6VTUNYbRFTHNFHhZalTV14V1T_2p-LsR3UnbEwZRP9oxRSVsATQYT9EBH7B-TJlU6djm8x07e4dbtzuXMARDHQQgxGlI3jlUOShm6ao0MyMWI2W0CIx2uMA/s640/IMG_8726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Nothing smells better (or more like the holidays...) than Ginger Spice Cookies baking in the oven.  When we had friends over for dinner over Thanksgiving weekend, I served a couple of these mini cookies with Salted Caramel Gelato.  I like serving cookies and ice cream for a dinner party because it is casual, and not to mention easy.  It isn't an over the top, overly rich, dramatic dessert that sends everyone over the limit, but it is a sort of comfort food dessert that everyone loves.<br /><br />Our friends that came for dinner texted Mike last night for the recipe, so I thought I'd share this morning!  The recipe is based on the Barefoot Contessa's Ultimate Ginger Cookie recipe, but with a few adjustments.<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZE4fX74q8vepxZOK_y_wo1u__taX5SDo9gSZpnN-TLPB9yVkZmXWcAyCzAClD0vBEyr0gvtsQlXnWNH3nI2DeIhbELFp5F-g2iI-DMSFLXDpCl54EgAAWphpyjxgHweuyufJv0GIuYc/s1600/ginger.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZE4fX74q8vepxZOK_y_wo1u__taX5SDo9gSZpnN-TLPB9yVkZmXWcAyCzAClD0vBEyr0gvtsQlXnWNH3nI2DeIhbELFp5F-g2iI-DMSFLXDpCl54EgAAWphpyjxgHweuyufJv0GIuYc/s640/ginger.jpg" width="425" /></a>Ginger Spice Cookies</span></i><br /><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Fginger-spice-cookies-holiday-cookies.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-PMaM1iJ4ICM%2FUL4ZBqS-K2I%2FAAAAAAAAOrk%2FP_6rpvhhdbA%2Fs640%2Fginger.jpg&description=Ginger%20Spice%20Cookies%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Fginger-spice-cookies-holiday-cookies.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br /><br />2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />2 teaspoons ground cinnamon<br />1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves<br />1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg<br />1/2 teaspoon ground ginger<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup brown sugar<br />1/4 cup vegetable oil<br />1/3 cup unsulfured molasses<br />1 egg<br />sugar, for rolling the cookies <br /><br />In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the brown sugar, oil, and molasses on medium speed for 5 minutes. Add the egg, and beat for 1 minute.  With the mixer still on low, slowly add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.<br /><br />Make small balls (1 inch in diameter) with very small ice cream scoop or with a spoon. Roll them into a ball with your hands, then press both sides of each cookie in granulated sugar and place them on the sheet pans. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes.  They should look soft when they come out of the oven.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbflqAx3HoXJFTgTesyw_p25JkUmuS2Zhi5O5mQ1RfBeHUkJ-FP30w14hlArAheujkuIPDJ2m8oMxQekaJ29N1Nuejg-VtWttsnzH5iYvSBLMrJ2M5LgjzDkItO5nFG2_5pGRkA3E12M4/s1600/IMG_8729.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbflqAx3HoXJFTgTesyw_p25JkUmuS2Zhi5O5mQ1RfBeHUkJ-FP30w14hlArAheujkuIPDJ2m8oMxQekaJ29N1Nuejg-VtWttsnzH5iYvSBLMrJ2M5LgjzDkItO5nFG2_5pGRkA3E12M4/s640/IMG_8729.JPG" width="640" /></a><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Ginger Spice Cookies | Holiday Cookies

Nothing smells better (or more like the holidays...) than Ginger Spice Cookies baking in the oven.  When we had friends over for dinner over...

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Christmas Cookies | Sugar Cookies

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iothzAN2Al7KsC13vO1syRj7BD6M-4NsjM2nJlOLUvApYrTRJAlBDIKijYAUoQI3mt0Vxc4BPDfkAula2ImSI_MtqfDSzhJ9vkq4m1KNAC0MZGnosWkyu_srY2pqvNpi2dFWMkQTy3s/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iothzAN2Al7KsC13vO1syRj7BD6M-4NsjM2nJlOLUvApYrTRJAlBDIKijYAUoQI3mt0Vxc4BPDfkAula2ImSI_MtqfDSzhJ9vkq4m1KNAC0MZGnosWkyu_srY2pqvNpi2dFWMkQTy3s/s640/IMG_0078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />As I'm preparing for my Holiday Christmas Cookie Brunch Workshop next week, I'd thought I'd share my tried and true, favorite recipe.  This is the same recipe my mom used when my sister and I were growing up, decorating sugar cookies for each and every holiday.  The dough is incredible to snack on!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zA30SI2RvdejNUUuOALxPNJ8kgIBVPZQyg2h_-MTv0m24H86bnizzpqKY-_Kq5ocGKJSgBX9iNFcucLnnX11OKz8LCBU9-YFbCuzf1IS0zWuqtnZsOqAArJAymgBK9pFTteqhyDPNTs/s1600/best-sugar-cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zA30SI2RvdejNUUuOALxPNJ8kgIBVPZQyg2h_-MTv0m24H86bnizzpqKY-_Kq5ocGKJSgBX9iNFcucLnnX11OKz8LCBU9-YFbCuzf1IS0zWuqtnZsOqAArJAymgBK9pFTteqhyDPNTs/s640/best-sugar-cookies.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><i>Jenny's </i><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Deluxe Sugar Cookies</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F12%2Fchristmas-cookies-sugar-cookies-from.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-6_opsFUx90c%2FUMEeYW5wxCI%2FAAAAAAAAOwg%2FBiRO0IOYqJs%2Fs640%2Fbest-sugar-cookies.jpg&description=The%20BEST%20Sugar%20Cookie%20Recipe...%20uses%20powdered%20sugar%21%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F12%2Fchristmas-cookies-sugar-cookies-from.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sugar Cookie Recipe</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2 sticks of butter<br />1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar<br />2 1/2 cups of flour<br />1 tsp of vanilla<br />1 tsp of cream of tarter<br />1 tsp of baking soda<br />1 egg<br /><br />In your Kitchen Aid fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter and powdered sugar.  Add Flour, vanilla, cream of tarter, soda, and egg.  On slow, stir together ingredients just until combined.  Turn the dough out onto a floured board and wrap it with plastic wrap.  Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.  </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFsrKwQqaKZ56h5CxdQjONMgH-KmvfQearQVN1FBnfnpht_pYSnV7YEjC1fQL_kgC2h_vOQdHSLTKQbrJAtoDtkoTpvTar2HLFrCap_9H7RSFRrXKPViBy3QVkAGueMqTS2RPsiquID4R/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFsrKwQqaKZ56h5CxdQjONMgH-KmvfQearQVN1FBnfnpht_pYSnV7YEjC1fQL_kgC2h_vOQdHSLTKQbrJAtoDtkoTpvTar2HLFrCap_9H7RSFRrXKPViBy3QVkAGueMqTS2RPsiquID4R/s320/IMG_3602.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Unwrap the dough and put it on a floured board.  Be sure to flour the rollin pin, as well. </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJFrXmG796mBxK-vPNTtOP2HWqtZoGJFvs3xvQ6Q92XEoHme7AUReKSNrSCbWrP8KFTd9jB3k-WE-6F25JEeEBPtyKu8sBI9EvW3COSFqIFRywxYoI7u97dlj2sow8R3QuBOLBZNKRKkf/s1600/IMG_3625.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJFrXmG796mBxK-vPNTtOP2HWqtZoGJFvs3xvQ6Q92XEoHme7AUReKSNrSCbWrP8KFTd9jB3k-WE-6F25JEeEBPtyKu8sBI9EvW3COSFqIFRywxYoI7u97dlj2sow8R3QuBOLBZNKRKkf/s320/IMG_3625.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Roll out dough until 1/4 inch thick. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnQicV69yJhKR30gFsNXn87XnISYemtYNZK7IQNduD0JH77T7Fm0fEQWIVuzGOfXhLEigiwoKZzE_tz-8CO3bXxJXHZLZnf8YTEV6jN8KuSTW2XOmJPwbdDW4HFnZVUwQPZ32H9wgOBC1/s1600/IMG_3638.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnQicV69yJhKR30gFsNXn87XnISYemtYNZK7IQNduD0JH77T7Fm0fEQWIVuzGOfXhLEigiwoKZzE_tz-8CO3bXxJXHZLZnf8YTEV6jN8KuSTW2XOmJPwbdDW4HFnZVUwQPZ32H9wgOBC1/s320/IMG_3638.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Cut shapes.   Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.  </span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Bake for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees just until the edges begin to turn brown - baking time will depend on size and thickness of the cookie.  </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XnGGlHhWFMAN6FBGGIEwZEUgYQmRGYf4SB9yv162Qu1H_qM1SdC8zeFpFQnd7NiX7GLgl02NEZy1gWyXlGfJ-wzHHrhMDOBH47zAquCH3tnsHiIn_VdLva8Re6V9cf0YTRKSHeqBhwiE/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XnGGlHhWFMAN6FBGGIEwZEUgYQmRGYf4SB9yv162Qu1H_qM1SdC8zeFpFQnd7NiX7GLgl02NEZy1gWyXlGfJ-wzHHrhMDOBH47zAquCH3tnsHiIn_VdLva8Re6V9cf0YTRKSHeqBhwiE/s320/IMG_3683.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Utilize scraps of dough by making them into a ball and re-rolling them and cutting shapes. </span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4omEPNoCsn2LyKT1ta5TF3aLiD6m6SC4s2kt81McaoZfSEkiVNmUoo0mSDxm1vV76KGtpiiY1QhCFNTDp_oEPR_-CbZLDoKWMPoWNyjTwrttg7vT-5gzZJgPQ-jiCwlvGTSktW72Jfc/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4omEPNoCsn2LyKT1ta5TF3aLiD6m6SC4s2kt81McaoZfSEkiVNmUoo0mSDxm1vV76KGtpiiY1QhCFNTDp_oEPR_-CbZLDoKWMPoWNyjTwrttg7vT-5gzZJgPQ-jiCwlvGTSktW72Jfc/s640/IMG_0068.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Royal Icing</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px;">3 egg whites<br />4 cups of powdered sugar<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px;">In the Kitchen Aid fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until almost frothy.  Add in the powdered sugar and whisk on slow until smooth.  You may need to add more or less powdered sugar or water to achieve desired thickness.  For sugar cookies, you want the icing to be thin enough that it will fall back on itself and smooth itself out, but not too thin so it will run off of the cookie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Good colors are so important to making professional looking sugar cookies.  Here are my tips :</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Red : When making red you need to use a lot of food coloring.  I also add orange to the red to make it less pink.  Add just a touch of green to the red to make it less electric.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Green : I add a little bit of yellow and orange to green to make it more of a natural green.  For christmas, I like to use two shades of green - light and dark. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Blue : I add a little bit of yellow and orange to blue to make it softer.  It is a more sophisticated looking blue. </span></span></div><br /><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Christmas Cookies | Sugar Cookies

As I'm preparing for my Holiday Christmas Cookie Brunch Workshop next week, I'd thought I'd share my tried and true, favorite re...

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Packaging Baked Goods in Your Kitchen - Creative & Resourceful Ideas

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0iya2D9wVoPHbejh2dvuLu3RbJAz-P2BwO9tilnBHrQGe-tPNHfs0R52X5bAw106A6tatF2Xl8yvp8L8iuyWZSUHMW1OXjPIXL2zpX1y_4VmY5uGTKci0vHd_GvD9-n6usdyhIRwKyIm/s1600/IMG_5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0iya2D9wVoPHbejh2dvuLu3RbJAz-P2BwO9tilnBHrQGe-tPNHfs0R52X5bAw106A6tatF2Xl8yvp8L8iuyWZSUHMW1OXjPIXL2zpX1y_4VmY5uGTKci0vHd_GvD9-n6usdyhIRwKyIm/s640/IMG_5872.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />When I owned a catering company, I learned that it, indeed, is “all about presentation,” as they say.  I’ll never understand how someone can spend so much time and effort into making a delicious and beautiful treat, then put it into a plastic tupperware box or put it on a paper plate wrapped in plastic wrap.  Drives me crazy... I realize that most people do not have all the time in the world to dream up how to package their cookies.  Yes, I know there are more important things.  Buuuut, it is so easy with just a little effort. <br /><br />Take a cue from you favorite retail boutiques, do they put your purchases in a plastic grocery stack?  No, they wrap your items lovingly in tissue sealed with a branded sticker and then into a color coordinated gift bag.  Packaging your kitchen goodies nicely might even make them taste better... if that is possible.<br /><br />Now, you can find all of this packaging supplies in my online store : <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/baking-supplies">Everyday Occasions</a> - enjoy! <br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Kitchen Packaging Supplies</span></i><br />    <br /><a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/packaging">Cellophane Bags (buy here)</a><br /><a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/packaging">2.5" circle labels</a><br /><a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/packaging">Small Rectangle Labels</a><br /><a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/baking-supplies">Parchment paper</a><br />Bakers twine<br />Scissors<br />Various Ribbons & Colorful Twine<br /><br />Here are some of the examples of how I have used these materials throughout the year :<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviITX5ZT69w61CNf45cPGZe5Og9frkruGf0qElSyfdwQblzgq4Ac3LWZh7_CKrlwbmt7cs8GIeuSQ2_voA6fyliG3ar5ZG9dj8yC0eNGu7-B4AK9Bfnb1mI7sAFiFQpOee27CJiF8VrkF/s1600/IMG_5525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviITX5ZT69w61CNf45cPGZe5Og9frkruGf0qElSyfdwQblzgq4Ac3LWZh7_CKrlwbmt7cs8GIeuSQ2_voA6fyliG3ar5ZG9dj8yC0eNGu7-B4AK9Bfnb1mI7sAFiFQpOee27CJiF8VrkF/s640/IMG_5525.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/05/best-homemade-biscuits-so-so-simple.html" target="_blank"> The BEST Buttermilk Biscuits & Homemade Blackberry Preserves</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUWXaGmN-UuOXZDos_m4i-ZJoE4YFro-QAkXJ0jnrk1qneF03Bi6joEG3C4DtB8NUq0aEJjkxG60VMg7qh3tJkv7TBPcaNnXHECHOOVFTWV3PWT2iTB4P7o3ya6MRerEuMUcNpbKjxAdt/s1600/IMG_1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUWXaGmN-UuOXZDos_m4i-ZJoE4YFro-QAkXJ0jnrk1qneF03Bi6joEG3C4DtB8NUq0aEJjkxG60VMg7qh3tJkv7TBPcaNnXHECHOOVFTWV3PWT2iTB4P7o3ya6MRerEuMUcNpbKjxAdt/s640/IMG_1980.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-day-sugar-cookies-heart.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies in bags with twine tie </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa3H0ZN7kZTCo_vX5CB4_LutTG41aAWKGPp3bwx13d5qc0yWKbqR8MIDLLY2-3F0n91JbU_tyuXDFw9Rcg8Fj8iH-fL1K5CLU0xmdh8CZBOoSXlAhbrNzaRCLHvJuI9ohMfzHZZ1pZaXK/s1600/IMG_1976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa3H0ZN7kZTCo_vX5CB4_LutTG41aAWKGPp3bwx13d5qc0yWKbqR8MIDLLY2-3F0n91JbU_tyuXDFw9Rcg8Fj8iH-fL1K5CLU0xmdh8CZBOoSXlAhbrNzaRCLHvJuI9ohMfzHZZ1pZaXK/s640/IMG_1976.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/01/be-mine-free-printable-tags-for.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies with Foldover Card  </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswZK51NTuQvSBuuIZfka3vAnBWj3pMwqAh29DYgrR_Gm5JNh0sQnkDIuhS2k_XEr6yV6m9GzQFRNsNWakPle8u444_grYam4en66C-PBSvdLDDPoenNT50XO7B2BYWSIfPEs6FYGo8HFJ/s1600/IMG_5860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswZK51NTuQvSBuuIZfka3vAnBWj3pMwqAh29DYgrR_Gm5JNh0sQnkDIuhS2k_XEr6yV6m9GzQFRNsNWakPle8u444_grYam4en66C-PBSvdLDDPoenNT50XO7B2BYWSIfPEs6FYGo8HFJ/s640/IMG_5860.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/05/banana-nut-bread-with-whipped-honey.html" target="_blank">Banana Bread packaged in parchment tied with twine </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYy9SzWZuV7XAEAUDaPEPrF9YkCj98vCSTMfZu115tKx23poPedg2mbPt4Ot0ENB9yXXbBcldWseX6WNwwwFHIHSXQWBnwiPwYpQ1tJCO7U5oMYqQ47g7ekms3wIG8ubvgDw_610QuwS5/s1600/IMG_5868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYy9SzWZuV7XAEAUDaPEPrF9YkCj98vCSTMfZu115tKx23poPedg2mbPt4Ot0ENB9yXXbBcldWseX6WNwwwFHIHSXQWBnwiPwYpQ1tJCO7U5oMYqQ47g7ekms3wIG8ubvgDw_610QuwS5/s640/IMG_5868.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">oohh... look what's inside!  (recipe <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/05/banana-nut-bread-with-whipped-honey.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGEM9K0_euLa2Qf9S6bkEW1RXbhYmaaYJES4vdYyfLpkjDDQua0wuYjFbfvMOXoRwxObf1k4PuhLV8US7A5fSGGUidc_NeXAK443i68pCDpZC6ZlK1OLOo6sZDUBOyAOMuGqfcLpmVdEv/s1600/IMG_2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGEM9K0_euLa2Qf9S6bkEW1RXbhYmaaYJES4vdYyfLpkjDDQua0wuYjFbfvMOXoRwxObf1k4PuhLV8US7A5fSGGUidc_NeXAK443i68pCDpZC6ZlK1OLOo6sZDUBOyAOMuGqfcLpmVdEv/s640/IMG_2022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/06/black-what-cookies-for-lucky-magazine.html" target="_blank">Black and White Cookies with Large Circle Labels, Ribbon & Cello Bags </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AtlCrj29y06d7OyHL-HQi0O1zFNYOicJ_N2bXTfOA2RsCbOn3WHnF-ZloEceKbwAJ1blextXt0GDLLDGV56hfe9DNbOrO_RH35tBp1PWHWFfJ4qksguNsWV0s7p48n4RGR06Hbbfq21W/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AtlCrj29y06d7OyHL-HQi0O1zFNYOicJ_N2bXTfOA2RsCbOn3WHnF-ZloEceKbwAJ1blextXt0GDLLDGV56hfe9DNbOrO_RH35tBp1PWHWFfJ4qksguNsWV0s7p48n4RGR06Hbbfq21W/s640/IMG_2025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/06/black-what-cookies-for-lucky-magazine.html" target="_blank">Black and White Cookies with Large Circle Labels, Ribbon & Cello Bags  </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Rvo2qg4aXd2MYMhZUekGnY5Az5bvnReC_TYJmuMoAO1QwMCHfb_sVgoAlDRPNe4o99FV6X-3Ob8Ufwwy0VZg3cIw0xJsdNaEniCWtxvKAYh3qG8KiOADQu18ocYQWOGuo-bmOxEMt9fP/s1600/IMG_8325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Rvo2qg4aXd2MYMhZUekGnY5Az5bvnReC_TYJmuMoAO1QwMCHfb_sVgoAlDRPNe4o99FV6X-3Ob8Ufwwy0VZg3cIw0xJsdNaEniCWtxvKAYh3qG8KiOADQu18ocYQWOGuo-bmOxEMt9fP/s640/IMG_8325.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/11/boxed-cookies-packaging-cookies.html" target="_blank">Mini Chocolate and Salted Caramel Sandwich Cookies in Cello Bags with Foldover Card  </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGow70-cHZ71elX_rHCSh575edzkGU7F7v_hKYhtfrcfMBQyzuOFnOJvpceTwkyeRGDIp56ApUcPZUSMfiUwVCGoISK339DsSYwvXsC0-qwoIFfF8CnrXdGXJOGabmXgt25w22-McZl_g/s1600/IMG_8329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGow70-cHZ71elX_rHCSh575edzkGU7F7v_hKYhtfrcfMBQyzuOFnOJvpceTwkyeRGDIp56ApUcPZUSMfiUwVCGoISK339DsSYwvXsC0-qwoIFfF8CnrXdGXJOGabmXgt25w22-McZl_g/s640/IMG_8329.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/11/boxed-cookies-packaging-cookies.html" target="_blank">Mini Chocolate and Salted Caramel Sandwich Cookies in Cello Bags with Foldover Card</a> packaged in a mailer box with parchment paper, then tied with natural twine.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtJZg6h9pbK3jGjOXbI380JgsgpbDqk54hGtCJxQlSiVZJkt21Yo-6Cjh9n0A1bupxEmFHFlVK-7beBg4GleBM7owja_L6oH3xKYg4QKc2vTlAOa-og1YMe382-aCpAMt8XbuZbO1VPXu/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtJZg6h9pbK3jGjOXbI380JgsgpbDqk54hGtCJxQlSiVZJkt21Yo-6Cjh9n0A1bupxEmFHFlVK-7beBg4GleBM7owja_L6oH3xKYg4QKc2vTlAOa-og1YMe382-aCpAMt8XbuZbO1VPXu/s640/IMG_0076.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-cookies-sugar-cookies-from.html" target="_blank">Holiday Sugar Cookies in cello bag, tied with twine and card </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIlowT2_a5Cb-kEZGhC_5o2y7G_ZAeJwSAbqrdFWoLT8IJLfIkzwqZjaMZ0ptoWbCMtSjgtsnNLuvT_QpnJMEJ3VOL85_hntGUKUTOAXQQmmKQE2w7P_54o_Ogvs-zMoGYgBmbCKyb-OD/s1600/IMG_9474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIlowT2_a5Cb-kEZGhC_5o2y7G_ZAeJwSAbqrdFWoLT8IJLfIkzwqZjaMZ0ptoWbCMtSjgtsnNLuvT_QpnJMEJ3VOL85_hntGUKUTOAXQQmmKQE2w7P_54o_Ogvs-zMoGYgBmbCKyb-OD/s640/IMG_9474.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chocolate Brownie Cupcake... yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Packaging Baked Goods in Your Kitchen - Creative & Resourceful Ideas

When I owned a catering company, I learned that it, indeed, is “all about presentation,” as they say.  I’ll never understand how someone ca...

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Gingerbread House | My First Time | Holiday Baking

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJU5hY7oNccnbU7_XfV1YhmGN3s7LAjd1LW0Q7ZC3d6NilZvVpPgxpaXXt-yM3RQ2JZl3a2MegvE491ZvyPmrmAfDYLr7CPRqmKuUGW0Ee-jN-gzOiY_qIQwdWvcuIeysqcyZRnjHOAM/s1600/IMG_9827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJU5hY7oNccnbU7_XfV1YhmGN3s7LAjd1LW0Q7ZC3d6NilZvVpPgxpaXXt-yM3RQ2JZl3a2MegvE491ZvyPmrmAfDYLr7CPRqmKuUGW0Ee-jN-gzOiY_qIQwdWvcuIeysqcyZRnjHOAM/s640/IMG_9827.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINnKexF1ovDXQryeEr5Yi9YX7WqSNDaL1z4egjn22O96fYr2DqaRa_NYL9N0C1R_T6U3ETS6hd5CaVpt3q0BywQxn6e5ry1nVmJ86FLrzSMp42WSVoe4Lj8ZkfmK3o7bNa1MhFConyOw/s1600/IMG_9139.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the first time in my entire life that I have made a Gingerbread House.  Ever.  I know - even Jill didn't believe me when I told her.  Apparently she's made several over the years.  Humph.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In honor of our adventure here in Massachusetts I wanted to make the house just like our house here in Concord - a cozy little Cape Cod.  I love how it turned out - dormer windows, evergreen garland and all!  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have to say, I have a lot of respect for anyone that has made a gingerbread house before... it was tougher than I'd anticipated!  Mike helped me assemble it - and let's just say, it is not like the pieces fit together like a snug puzzle.  I had to keep reminding myself that it was a cookie, not a carpentry project.  Small gaps and holes in the seams (and one cracked wall...) were not that big of a deal.  It is a cookie!  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is my photo documentation of the entire process.  I used <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/339021/molasses-gingerbread-cookie-dough" target="_blank">Martha Stewart's recipe for the gingerbread dough</a>.  It is different than a typical cookie dough- tougher with very little rise in the baking, which is important because you don't want the pieces of dough to change shape or size.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVlc5OFAEhLEOnkTJNxI5g0nJaFrTPcrL_44ySVkBgAaKU_KxU_THnagGmQUAMdUsn7hvHBq_wwMPFStCUtLcgma7P3ZZ1APJVWIGffiARmekkciDG-J3CR_Ohe0JoiKLTNNMIsPsKHo/s1600/IMG_9080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVlc5OFAEhLEOnkTJNxI5g0nJaFrTPcrL_44ySVkBgAaKU_KxU_THnagGmQUAMdUsn7hvHBq_wwMPFStCUtLcgma7P3ZZ1APJVWIGffiARmekkciDG-J3CR_Ohe0JoiKLTNNMIsPsKHo/s640/IMG_9080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I created templates of all of the pieces I'd need.  Measuring and cutting straight lines are very important.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L96555C0CShqPoHYECbZnSgMJioVNJb9AnCaLxvURR3L9k2EnTbfKkk510YrsERYDSyERypshhz48z3IwY0O8vlaVp0T99O6TVmtAXXWdato8LgF1wCe9INueuVQOVCl9n7PMEx4V9I/s1600/IMG_9083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L96555C0CShqPoHYECbZnSgMJioVNJb9AnCaLxvURR3L9k2EnTbfKkk510YrsERYDSyERypshhz48z3IwY0O8vlaVp0T99O6TVmtAXXWdato8LgF1wCe9INueuVQOVCl9n7PMEx4V9I/s640/IMG_9083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here are all of my pieces ready to go.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzi2PKGal3u-6GD3BIkqovP00oDLqoqnYzmedwVnC6hrqAbEGfxWEn6mGxiRrd528fWcYbBveZOGQGaesSpWr-DZZROYCqLk0ypP70S_blJGxBi6PIyBPF4pDHxFqdehz5ZbKtvAIJls/s1600/IMG_9085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzi2PKGal3u-6GD3BIkqovP00oDLqoqnYzmedwVnC6hrqAbEGfxWEn6mGxiRrd528fWcYbBveZOGQGaesSpWr-DZZROYCqLk0ypP70S_blJGxBi6PIyBPF4pDHxFqdehz5ZbKtvAIJls/s640/IMG_9085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I highly recommend rolling the dough out onto your silpat baking liners or parchment paper, then placing that liner or paper directly onto the baking sheet.  If you roll out the dough onto the counter, then try to move it, your cut outs will distort and change size and shape.  Even the smallest difference can mean a big hole in your house!  <br /><br />I rolled the dough out onto the silpat, then cut around my template.  I put the silpat directly onto a baking sheet, then into the oven.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XaF2CqcJogyubusHmZWUG6Kg5_j-8Za5ex8MHrEHHgF3FwT6MO70Bgjj9AMgjqBBWChE3tgkXwXGpspWy6Tjv1AVomue5ybn4AXmXXpDbLspKclbc-YK-kXidN9d5-5zaswPb7btF6g/s1600/IMG_9088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XaF2CqcJogyubusHmZWUG6Kg5_j-8Za5ex8MHrEHHgF3FwT6MO70Bgjj9AMgjqBBWChE3tgkXwXGpspWy6Tjv1AVomue5ybn4AXmXXpDbLspKclbc-YK-kXidN9d5-5zaswPb7btF6g/s640/IMG_9088.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />After the cookies had baked and cooled, I decorated them with <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/12/recipes-christmas-cookies-christmas.html" target="_blank">royal icing</a>.  I learned something new, again.  I would have thought the decorating should be done after assembled, but it was so much easier to make straight lines on the pieces before they were put together as a house. <br /><br />These are the front and the back pieces.  I did a trial run on the back so it would be perfect for the front.  I knew that where I planned to display the house - no one would see the back!  I modeled the door off of some of the <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/11/trip-to-deerfield-mass-new-england-day.html" target="_blank">colonial homes we saw in Deerfield, Ma</a>. a few weeks ago.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJALom-1eTOHcLyT2T85rZ8fqS6LvS8o7o2fi-EOoqmWPzMJZlhI1_ycddhd8H8KlHT0pzSw5Kfexp0xE5PdymueWreSV9uujERsoR7B0-jr6-L3vYzlprUDWlve19Yt7vbf5nr3QCDo/s1600/IMG_9089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJALom-1eTOHcLyT2T85rZ8fqS6LvS8o7o2fi-EOoqmWPzMJZlhI1_ycddhd8H8KlHT0pzSw5Kfexp0xE5PdymueWreSV9uujERsoR7B0-jr6-L3vYzlprUDWlve19Yt7vbf5nr3QCDo/s640/IMG_9089.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The sides.  I think the 'snow' in the windows adds some personality to the home.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfjzkhd1hkLDT_S8te-LPfwWbxrk7JLz39x5fkfnwPR46qT09wY65oJVrYGtBWai6N_o5PZg6ak1Y5rWyCEqhVB-MGxFXzin5KEoIaTA8SCbP1Mr_q8_JaUvHROt3SqCstb1YeENuXvE/s1600/IMG_9090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfjzkhd1hkLDT_S8te-LPfwWbxrk7JLz39x5fkfnwPR46qT09wY65oJVrYGtBWai6N_o5PZg6ak1Y5rWyCEqhVB-MGxFXzin5KEoIaTA8SCbP1Mr_q8_JaUvHROt3SqCstb1YeENuXvE/s640/IMG_9090.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I shingled the roof pieces with a 'brick' pattern.  The two dormer windows got a snow swept look, too. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxmOYKaUcFb9Hb60rS1xtc95JXKgu99J2LcERyxI2GFj6Z9shyphenhyphen2fApzvIXC1LAJLfX4szDDGTliYn40lzxHYEmWvyPmQz1TapfYztSGwCc8ZcrJY6EXgP2sGrkFZXwPiuybh4KV15RG0/s1600/IMG_9091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxmOYKaUcFb9Hb60rS1xtc95JXKgu99J2LcERyxI2GFj6Z9shyphenhyphen2fApzvIXC1LAJLfX4szDDGTliYn40lzxHYEmWvyPmQz1TapfYztSGwCc8ZcrJY6EXgP2sGrkFZXwPiuybh4KV15RG0/s640/IMG_9091.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />These were the other pieces that I needed for the dormers... they were a little complicated to create! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21O7FwrMOTSEjwe47QwfAlOmFBj4j-YpEKGevK2U8eVFnv1f5XjXkJMqpSO5qXFW2nz9XqIrMY9rIfoUN2rn8tg9YstjSnfdGr_JQXNIkJ4tjhTXpfhDxDx8iJ9X0njtAXuZK9QjSjnU/s1600/IMG_9094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21O7FwrMOTSEjwe47QwfAlOmFBj4j-YpEKGevK2U8eVFnv1f5XjXkJMqpSO5qXFW2nz9XqIrMY9rIfoUN2rn8tg9YstjSnfdGr_JQXNIkJ4tjhTXpfhDxDx8iJ9X0njtAXuZK9QjSjnU/s640/IMG_9094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I used little pieces of cedar greenery to create a garland around the front door.  I attached it with my <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/12/recipes-christmas-cookies-christmas.html" target="_blank">Royal Icing</a> 'glue'. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs6d3nw1HBZ69_glBSqfbmVdrJqGDGBMY_bDKKydcQB__mdim6PJ2yEp_aShs3CkzuM_q0n6LNtRpYyB94RGtMYS-JAqTgucQRHf4k-5xD5Ek_rGsI-sm0o-TcEiQ2uf4BX569y4u0Rc/s1600/IMG_9120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs6d3nw1HBZ69_glBSqfbmVdrJqGDGBMY_bDKKydcQB__mdim6PJ2yEp_aShs3CkzuM_q0n6LNtRpYyB94RGtMYS-JAqTgucQRHf4k-5xD5Ek_rGsI-sm0o-TcEiQ2uf4BX569y4u0Rc/s640/IMG_9120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />What a cozy little cottage!  Now for the snow... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYL3Kh_DyinY1_oy3GS7O2GZ8sfXGEJKSrclbnrjA85vM6uwnpQ1KCkRvLWzKpASuoDuVcjg4psIH9z8Ov2OOa-ZB3ldkfgkN7DLXCLCbHQ-5kOOGz3deTwtgWkfQhyphenhyphenkBlzVXg2qNzeA/s1600/IMG_9122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYL3Kh_DyinY1_oy3GS7O2GZ8sfXGEJKSrclbnrjA85vM6uwnpQ1KCkRvLWzKpASuoDuVcjg4psIH9z8Ov2OOa-ZB3ldkfgkN7DLXCLCbHQ-5kOOGz3deTwtgWkfQhyphenhyphenkBlzVXg2qNzeA/s640/IMG_9122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I made a small batch of Swiss Meringue to create pillowy snow drifts around the house.  I put the meringue in a pastry bag, then cut a very large hole to pipe it out of.   <br /><br />Swiss Meringue<br /><br />4 egg whites<br />1 cup of sugar<br />1 pinch of cream of tarter<br /><br />In the top bowl of a double boiler (glass bowl sitting on a sauce pan with simmering water), whisk together egg whites, sugar and cream of tarter.  Cook mixture in the double boiler over medium low heat for 3-5 minutes, or until sugar has dissolved.  If you rub the mixture between your fingers, you should be able to tell if the sugar has dissolved.<br /><br />Transfer the mixture to your kitchen aid fitted with the whisk attachment.  Whisk on high for 7-10 minutes.  The mixture will cool and froth into a thick meringue as it whips.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3_TH2c9PUSsj7_U7q_vGs3C8VWFu9uSGQ-nPDtvf59AbjmiVYShPwxoqJBX0xIX92isUH01D6jHRZ1zvOu1nGDwo6J0Tl2hMYHJBb2EDtr1LLhORstngHCjQ4hgiq4WacPfcb-QRa2M/s1600/IMG_9123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3_TH2c9PUSsj7_U7q_vGs3C8VWFu9uSGQ-nPDtvf59AbjmiVYShPwxoqJBX0xIX92isUH01D6jHRZ1zvOu1nGDwo6J0Tl2hMYHJBb2EDtr1LLhORstngHCjQ4hgiq4WacPfcb-QRa2M/s640/IMG_9123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I tried to make it look wind blown and natural. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdurIavd_Ze4xCih0Bo8Mw0fbxurxiAzdMfV5aBP9Cl4_KOmvJQbZvCveHb5ZhAhv0BNn3P_zofuQpGbkNI-47cAC0IqhhlbsD_ITtF4PxuT1gWXMuP_cYamXbU-BmQW31OWYrbwnC8uc/s1600/IMG_9127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdurIavd_Ze4xCih0Bo8Mw0fbxurxiAzdMfV5aBP9Cl4_KOmvJQbZvCveHb5ZhAhv0BNn3P_zofuQpGbkNI-47cAC0IqhhlbsD_ITtF4PxuT1gWXMuP_cYamXbU-BmQW31OWYrbwnC8uc/s640/IMG_9127.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I LOVE meringue. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuhXlGvGMDK0A8Wp9DrnVfTnaCMKupLph2d5xjiX1r-S3uIOSe8vOTNPsALRBq67s7VZ65wJp7JBsc2j6jERy8TZEsQnse7qdQjIvRPK2pM0a-ld0ArnYvBSWX8gROyoPfyqvPA8zOP4/s1600/IMG_9131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuhXlGvGMDK0A8Wp9DrnVfTnaCMKupLph2d5xjiX1r-S3uIOSe8vOTNPsALRBq67s7VZ65wJp7JBsc2j6jERy8TZEsQnse7qdQjIvRPK2pM0a-ld0ArnYvBSWX8gROyoPfyqvPA8zOP4/s640/IMG_9131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Finally, I sprinkled powdered sugar on the meringue and the house for that 'fresh' dusted snow look!  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHvpg_0BE7Cx0YAtH_hSYOD3qyQWoGzpbNuJ95AC04QrJmqxck4XHXEutVM_57nj_KYr37D530fKXhRMe7LzzO31M3UHDYxNsvqBIy4uDWJQJb4EnOXarrX-e25Tei-G6uGF0bSjPOes/s1600/IMG_9143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHvpg_0BE7Cx0YAtH_hSYOD3qyQWoGzpbNuJ95AC04QrJmqxck4XHXEutVM_57nj_KYr37D530fKXhRMe7LzzO31M3UHDYxNsvqBIy4uDWJQJb4EnOXarrX-e25Tei-G6uGF0bSjPOes/s640/IMG_9143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Do you dare try to make a gingerbread house this year?  What are your secrets and tips!?

Gingerbread House | My First Time | Holiday Baking

This is the first time in my entire life that I have made a Gingerbread House.  Ever.  I know - even Jill didn't believe me when I told ...

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