Ombre Pumpkin Cookies

Y'all know my philosophy on cookies.  Less time decorating, more time eating.  It's really my life's motto...spend as much time eating cookies as possible.

Here's a super simple decorated cookie idea for you: ombre pumpkin cookies. 

You'll just basically use one color icing for the main part of the pumpkins, in 4 shades.  I started with a medium shade, then added a little bit of it to white icing to make a couple shades lighter, and added a bit more food coloring in another bowl to make a shade darker.


For this orange, I used AmeriColor Orange and Ivory.

For the stem and tendril, I used AmeriColor Avocado.  This is only because I'm out of Leaf Green and it was too late to run to Hobby Lobby.


I made the cut-out cookies the day before, so decorating went really quickly.

Make your royal icing and tint.  Then, use a #2 tip to outline the sections of the pumpkin.  (You can even use a food coloring marker to draw on lines before piping...I did this for some of the cookies.)

Thin the icing with water, a bit at a time, stirring with a silicone spatula, until it is the consistency of a thick syrup.  You'll want to drop a "ribbon" of icing back into the bowl and have it disappear in a count of "one thousand one, one thousand two." Four is too thick, one is too thin.  Count of 2-3 is good.  Cover with a damp dishcloth and let sit for several minutes.

Stir gently with a silicone spatula to pop and large air bubbles that have formed.  Pour into squeeze bottles.


Fill in the outlined sections, using a toothpick to guide to the edges and pop large air bubbles.

I really wanted the colors to be right up next to each other as opposed to separated by big outlines, so I brought the thinned flood icing right up over the outlines.  To prevent the colors running, I flooded areas that weren't touching, let them set a bit, then flooded the adjacent colors. 

Once the icing has dried about an hour, add the stem and tendril in green using a #1 tip.


I think these cookies would be super cute in shades of green or pink, too!

Psst...don't forget the super fabulous giveaway on the blog right now as well as ANOTHER KitchenAid Stand Mixer giveaway from my friend Add a Pinch. Woot!

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Thankful (cookie) Hearts

These two-sided cookie hearts double as place cards AND dessert. 

They're also a delicious way to get everyone talking about what they're thankful for this year.

On one side, you write each guest's name.  Then, give them a food coloring pen and let them write what they're thankful for on the other side.

Their answers just may surprise you.

I'm blogging about how to make them over on Parade.com.

{Here you can see what kiddo and I wrote on our thankful cookies.}

Come see what Mr. E is thankful for this year. ;)

***PS...I am not the first person to make interactive "thankful" cookies.  Check out these beauties from Amanda of i am baker.  I am thankful for her inspiration!*** 

I Only Have Pies for You.

Here we are.  The beginning of Thanksgiving week...or pie week, as I like to think of it.  

Today, I bring you some of my favorite fall pies, perfect for your Thanksgiving feast.  

Just click the links for the full recipes.

1. Sweet Potato Pie.  It was years before I ever tried making sweet potato pie.  I would pass over pumpkin for sweet potato EVERY time now.  If you don't love pumpkin pie, try sweet potato!

2. Cranberry Apple Pie.  This has been my go-to pie recipe for years now.  It's beautiful and delicious without fail.  A family favorite.

3. Pecan Chewies. Mini pecan pies...without all of the pecan pie goo.  You know what I mean?  These are irresistible.

4. Pie Crust Primer.  Nervous about making a pie crust?  Don't be.  It's easy as....pie.

5. Perfecto Graham Cracker Crust. Probably the easiest crust you'll ever make.


The following recipes I have not made myself, but I trust these bakers...and these pies look fantastic!

• Almond Joy Pie from She Wears Many Hats
• S'mores Pie from Two Peas and their Pod
• French Silk Pie from The Pioneer Woman
• Bourbon Apple Pie with Oatmeal Cookie Crumble from How Sweet it is
• Toffee Pecan Pie from Add a Pinch
• Upside-Down Apple Pecan Pie from Tidymom
• Pumpkin Praline Pie from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

If you're looking to make something other than pie, check out this round-up of clever alternatives to pies for Thanksgiving!

Happy Pie Week!
What's your favorite Thanksgiving pie?  Tell me (or leave a link to the recipe) in the comments!

Peanut Butter Cup Turkey Cookies

These are not your average, everyday turkey cookies. 

{Wait...are there everyday turkey cookies?  Let's think about this.}

 

So, what makes them special?

First...there's a big ol' peanut butter cookie as the base.  Then, the peanut butter cup "body" (secured with some melted chocolate).  Oh!  And the feathers?  That's peanut butter buttercream, my friends.

Peanut Butter Cup Turkey Cookies...

You'll scoop the cookies out and flatten them with the bottom of a glass.

When they bake, they get a little poufy, then flatten out as they cool.

Now, things are getting interesting....

I just couldn't resist adding the little mouths on their faces.  Smirk, full smile, heart lips?  I couldn't decide.  All of the above!!!

I'm sharing the recipe and assembly instructions over at Imperial Sugar.

{Gobble, gobble!}