Decorating Cookies Party! It's Here! (plus a giveaway)

We're gonna party like it's 1999.  Or, 2014.  
We're going to have a COOKIE PARTY!!!

Today is the official release date of my new book:

Decorating Cookies Party: 10 Celebratory Themes * 50 Designs

I'm a little giddy and a lot excited for you to see the book.
We're going to celebrate with a giveaway, too.  Take a gander:


What's inside the book?  I'm so happy you asked:

• Want to throw a cookie decorating party?  I'll walk you through hosting one. 
• Cookie exchange hints?  I've gotcha covered.
• Step-by-step instructions for cookie designs to bring to a variety of parties and special occasions?  Yep.  50 of them. You know I love a step-by-step tutorial.
• Need cut-out cookie recipes?  Well, I have 5 for you...including gluten-free.
• Nervous about royal icing and fondant?  Don't be!  I'll make it simple for you.
• Want some party theme ideas?  How about a garden party, birthday, book club, bridal shower? You'll find 10 party themes featured in the book to make and take or to make as part of the festivities! 

Here's a peek at the Birthday Party Themed cookies:


How about these little jellyfish?!?  This is from the Under the Sea party.  This party theme showcases simple designs that are perfect for decorating with kids.


And, this sweet little poppy cookie is from the Garden Party set. I'm officially obsessed with stamping on cookies.


This book includes some of my favorite cookie designs EVER.  Ever.

There are also recipes.  Mocha Cut-Out Cookies.  Oh MY word.


You'll even find a recipe for gluten-free cut-outs inside!!!  (Don't worry, if you don't need gluten-free, I tell you how to gluten them up.  I think that should be a new phrase, to "gluten something up.")


So, my dears, let's talk about this giveaway. Here are the prizes that you can win (one winner for each prize):

1. a KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Series Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield in Majestic Yellow! 
2. a polka-dot, organza, ruffled Heavenly Hostess Cocktail Apron (you'll see me sporting one in the book...you need one, too)
3. a $25 Fancy Flours gift certificate (guess what...they're carrying the book in their shop!)
4. one of 3 SIGNED copies of Decorating Cookies Party!  

To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me the last party that you attended.

For an extra entry, tell someone else about the giveaway.  Tweet, Facebook, Google +, Pinterest, call your grandmother, email your sister...and leave another comment letting me know that you did.  Honor system.

Entries will be accepted through 11:59pm CST, October 14th.  US addresses only.

A big, heartfelt, sugar-filled thank you to all of you.  Thank you for buying the book, thank you for reading the blog, thank you for inspiring me every day.  This book wouldn't have been possible without you! ♥ 


You can find the book here:

• amazon
• barnes & noble
• indie bound
• fancy flours
• and, at other book and craft stores

Let's (cookie) Party!

Sweet on Trader Joe's Saturday: our 5-star reviews

Because we've been reviewing Trader Joe's sweets for 6 months now...and because someone is feeling lazy because it's her birthday...we bring you a round-up of the desserts that have earned 5-stars from both kiddo and me.

Trader Joe's 5-Star Desserts (meaning: go buy them.)  There are some of the best desserts we've found at Trader Joe's. Click the links to read our full reviews.

• chocolate almond biscotti
• meyer lemon thins
• mini chocolate ice cream cones
• pink lemonade cupcakes
• cowboy bark
• fleur de sel caramels
• cherry pomegranate toaster pastries
• chocolate joe-joe's
• chocolate sea salt butterscotch caramels
• mini chocolate hazelnut biscotti
• pumpkin macarons

Read all of our Sweet on Trader Joe's posts!  See you next week!

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Soft Baked Cherry Almond Granola Bars

I'm a bar girl.  Just ask any of my friends from college.  Wait.

I mean, I love to EAT a good bar.  Snack bar, protein bar, breakfast bar, energy bar, granola bar....you name it, I'll eat it.  A lot of days, they're breakfast.  When I'm traveling, I always have a stash of bars in my carry-on.


I've always wanted to make them at home, so I did (finally).  I predict this is the first recipe of many to come.  Soft baked with oats, oat flour, almond butter, and dried cherries...these homemade bars were a hit with the whole family.

Find the recipe for Soft Baked Cherry Almond Granola Bars on Imperial Sugar. 

They're perfect for breakfast or a quick snack...and if you're sensitive to gluten, no worries, they're gluten-free!

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Caramel Brownies...kicked up a notch.

Oh. My. Waistline.

Y'all.  I almost have no words for these.  Caramel Brownies, sometimes called Knock You Naked  Brownies *ahem*, might be my very favorite dessert.  If not my very favorite, it's definitely in the top 3.


Caramel Brownies are traditionally made with a German Chocolate cake mix (if cake mix offends you, please stop reading now), caramels, chocolate chips, and pecans.  But, when I bought these caramel-filled chocolate chips, I couldn't help but wonder if they'd work.


I also switched out the pecans for this version and added Marcona almonds.  If you've never had Marcona almonds, they are buttery and rich and so addictive.  They can also be REALLY pricey.  I find that the best ones (and the most expensive ones) are in the deli section of my grocery store, near the cheeses.  I've also found pre-packaged ones that are not as pricey, but still do the trick.  I used those here.  Feel free to use regular almonds.

Oh, and I added a few pinches of sea salt.  You can't go wrong with sea salt and chocolate.


When I took these out of the oven yesterday, I was a little worried that they wouldn't live up to the original.  I let them cool, and then (before I ate lunch, big mistake), I cut off a little square.  And then another.  And then another.  The next thing you know, my "lunch" consisted solely of this new rendition of caramel brownies.  This is called: winning. 

Double Chocolate Caramel Brownies with Marcona Almonds & Sea Salt

{makes on 9x13" pan}

2 (9-ounce) packages caramel-filled chocolate chips
2/3 cup evaporated milk, divided
1 box Devil's Food cake mix
3/4 cup salted butter, melted
1/3 cup chopped Marcona almonds
fleur de sel or other fine sea salt

Preheat oven to 350.  

Over low heat, melt one package PLUS 1/2 cup of the caramel-filled chocolate chips with 1/3 cup evaporated milk.  Set aside.

In a bowl, stir together the cake mix, remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk, and melted butter.  Use an offset spatula to spread 1/2 of the batter in an ungreased 9x13" pan.  Bake for 6 minutes.

Take the pan out of the oven and pour the melted chocolate caramel mixture evenly over the top.  Sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips, then with the almonds.


Dollop the remaining batter over the top, it will not cover the entire top.  You'll see some of the caramel peeking through.  Add a few pinches of sea salt over the top.

Bake for 15-20 minutes more, until done.  Do not overbake, caramel brownies are meant to be a little gooey. :)

Cool on a wire rack before cutting.


If you called these Knock You Naked Brownies before...these are going to knock you naked-er.

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Sweet on Trader Joe's Saturday: Pumpkin Macarons

I snapped this picture in Trader Joe's yesterday:

It is OFFICIALLY pumpkin season!  Yay!!!

Today, we review Trader Joe's Pumpkin Macarons. 

You'll find these in the freezer section, but don't worry, they only take 30 minutes to defrost.  Trader Joe's description of these is "light and delicate, yet abundant with the smooth, warming flavor of pumpkin and traditional pumpkin pie spices..." A box of 12 macarons costs $4.99.


A mom's (my) take: Trader Joe's does macarons right.  A delicate, crisp shell, a chewy interior, perfect little feet, and a flavorful but not overpowering filling.  The pumpkin flavor is just right...you can taste both the pumpkin and the spices, really reminiscent of pumpkin pie.  My only complaint, as it is with all macarons...it's way too easy to eat 6 of them and still want more. ;)
Overall rating: 5 of 5 stars

A teenager's (kiddo's) take: These are the best store-bought macarons I've ever had. The light, airy shell is perfectly balanced by the chewy, sweet interior. The pumpkin flavor is not too strong but still enough to taste it. I could also eat several boxes of these.
Overall rating: 6 out of 5 stars :)

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Macarons: it's pumpkin season, y'all.

To read more of our Trader Joe's dessert reviews, click here.  
 

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Xanadu, your neon lights will shine...

Birthdays...when we were growing up, my parents instituted a "birthday party rule."  Birthday PARTIES were every other year...on the "off years," we could invite a friend or two to dinner, or to the movies, and over for cake.  I have no idea where they came up with this idea, but we decided to carry on the tradition with kiddo, too.


I had been thinking about one of my teenage birthdays...I think I was 12 or 13.  One of the movie theaters in "the city" was having a special showing of Xanadu.  I think the movie came out a couple of years earlier and I already had my white roller skates and knew all of the songs by heart.  My parents took a few of us down for the movie.  I can't remember much else from that birthday...just Xanadu.

{photo credit olivia-newtonjohn.com}

Please tell me you're a Xanadu fan, too!  I loved all things Olivia Newton-John.  Her voice, her face, her accent, her perfect hair!!!  Remember those thin hair ribbons?  And, that off the shoulder white top?  Oh!  And, that cowgirl outfit?  And Gene Kelly?!?  Oh my gosh...yeah.  I loved Xanadu.


In my mind, I was ONJ as Kira....in reality, I was a frizzy-haired girl with braces who was a little (a lot) wobbly on those skates, but man, it was fun to pretend.


The week I was thinking about those birthday memories, I got an email from McCormick.  They're celebrating their 125th (!) birthday this month. Did you know September is the most popular month for birthdays?  I didn't, either!


To celebrate, McCormick is igniting a conversation about birthdays and asking people all over the globe to share their favorite birthday flavor story.  For every story shared on McCormick's website or social media channels, McCormick will donate $1 to United Way to feed those in need.

In honor of birthday month, they released a new vanilla extract: Extra Rich Pure Vanilla Extract.
It's luscious and rich...25% stronger than the classic vanilla and the perfect balance between sweet caramel and bourbon-rummy flavors.  It is PERFECT in baked goods...and also to dab a little behind your ears. ♥


I used it to make Vanilla-Clementine Cut-Outs for the Xanadu-inspired cookies.  The strong vanilla flavor combined with the sweet and fresh clementine is just swoon-worthy.  The cookies also have a little kick of salt that balances out the flavors so well.  I love them almost as much as I love Xanadu. ;)



Vanilla-Clementine Cut-Out Cookies
{makes about 12 cookies, depending on cutter size}

2 & 1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons McCormick Extra Rich Pure Vanilla Extract
zest of one clementine
1 teaspoon clementine juice

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together.  Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Add in the egg, vanilla, zest, and juice.  Beat until well combined.  Add in the flour mixture on low speed, mixing until just combined.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.  Once chilled, roll to 1/4" thick on a surface dusted with flour, and cut with cookie cutters.  If the dough becomes sticky, refrigerate.  Place shapes onto parchment-lined cookies sheets.  Freeze the shapes for 5-10 minutes before baking to help retain the shape.

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until done.  Cool completely on wire cooling racks before decorating.  Use royal icing to decorate.

What's one of your favorite birthday memories?  Does it involve Xanadu?

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Decorating Cookies Party: sneak peek!

Last week I finally (FINALLY!) got my hands on some copies of Decorating Cookies Party!  Yay!

{Spike is VERY into cookie decorating, as you will see.}

Just a week or two to go until the books will hit stores.  The official release date is October 7th, but sometimes Amazon likes to send out books a little early. 

I have a fun giveaway planned for the official launch...stay tuned.  For now, I wanted to show you a few pictures from the inside.
This is tough...because I want you to see most of it for the first time when you're flipping the pages in your own kitchen, or sitting in the car line at school.  (Am I the only one who arrives at the school parking lot with a stack of magazines and cookbooks?)

I posted here about what you'll find inside.  This is a cookie PARTY book after all, so here are some of my beautiful friends (cookie) partying it up.  (Next time, I promised them wine.)

I'll walk you through hosting a cookie party of your own in the book.

Just like Decorating Cookies, this book has step-by-step photo tutorial of every decorated cookie.


Plus, 5 cookie recipes!!!  (One gluten-free, my friends!  No fat-free, sorry.)



You'll find detailed instruction and photos for all kinds of cookie decorating...including some new techniques in this book, like stamping and using silicone molds.


You guys...I'm just so excited for this book.  Not only does it contain some of my favorite cookie designs, but I actually took most of the photographs, too.  With the exception of the 10 shots of the cookie sets, each and every photo was taken by me...right here in my kitchen.  Well, Mr. E took approximately 1,792 pictures of me to get two passable author shots. ;)


Like I said, I want you to see the book for the first time when you have it in your hands, but just a little peek...

{I never thought I was a princess girl...until I made this cookie.  I love her.}

On October 7th or thereabouts, you should start seeing Decorating Cookies Party in your local book store. 
I get lots of questions...mainly from friends (and my mother-in-law) about whether this book I've been working on will be available in "actual bookstores."  YES.  No, I'm not selling it out of the trunk of my car. (Well, only on special occasions. NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT.)  

Until then, it is available for pre-order.  I have all of that information HERE, along with how you can get exclusive recipes if you pre-order by October 7th.

 {I have a picture of kiddo in the exact spot reading my last book 2 years ago.  He's changed so much...and I still haven't painted my walls.}

I do have a few local events in the works...and I'm begging, pleading politely asking my publisher to let me go a few places outside of Houston to sign books and meet you.  If you have city requests, please leave them in the comments.


A few dozen sprinkles were consumed in the making of this book.