Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Glaze-y Days of Autumn

 Don't they look delicious?

Greg has been requesting for me to try different icing recipes to try and find one that he remembers from when he was little. He loved the smiley face cookies at a local bakery and I think I have come across one that meets his standards.  

In the past, I've used royal icing for decorating cookies. Royal icing makes beautiful cookies because you're able to layer the icing without having to wait for the layers to fully dry. Once it dries, the color becomes matte, while the icing is hard and a little flaky, but yummy.

These cookies were decorated with glaze icing using Cookie Crazie's recipe substituting lemon emulsion for the extracts. Glaze takes longer to dry than royal icing but glaze dries soft. It reminds me of the Panera pumpkin sugar cookies, and I (and Greg) really like it! These cookies were the first time I've ever tried glaze and I'm pretty happy with the results. 

Take a look!











My next assignment from Greg is to try and make a chocolate glaze. We'll see if I'm as successful with that mission as I was with this one.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Alumni Weekend and a Sig Kap Rap

The last weekend of September is always Alumni Weekend at school. Every Alumni weekend, the Sigma Kappa alumnae are invited join the current members for a BBQ. 

I knew when I bought the dove cookie cutter that I'd be making them this fall for the girls. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out and they were a great conversation starter for the members I didn't know.

Going back reminded us of all the great times we shared and how much fun we had together. Luckily, I still get to see some of my sisters a couple times a year other than during the BBQ and it's always a blast! 

And now a throw back with DJ $crilla's Sig Kap Rap:


It all started back in 1874 no frown'n no more

Cause five young women kicked down the door
For women’s rights, women are life no more seeking and turning
They succeeded due to being determined
And I’m referring to them Sigma Kappa’s
And who am I? Well It’s your new favorite rapper DJ Scrilla
And that’s a fact, how I create tracks at the sound of a snap
I’m holler'n back, ya test them you will get burned
Sigkaps show love I’m show'n some in return
Oh you know they recommend everything they represent
Leadership through the quality of development
Follow their lead while they take you bi-costal
Yea they're about their business but they damn sure is social


You know that they 'bout it 'bout it my Sigkap pass, I never leave at home without it
Scrilla and them Sigma Kappa’s wont you chant this
Cause when they party they the talk of the whole campus
And their parties are the ish man 
People basically arguing outside just to get in

Take the deal from Scrill they're 'trill for real
Doctors don’t call us sick they label us ill
But I still rep a rhyme if I meet a Sigma Kappa once
Best believe I’m arranging a second time
As well we can meet or pass mail
Painting the streets maroon and lavender with my pastel


If I could fly like a dove Id fly for a hug cause I’m really gettin high off your love



Oh you know it lifts me up, and my number aint hard to find
Just hit me up or I can go reach ya hit you on the regular
Or if I’m not at home you can catch me on my cellular

Excuse me as I cut on in and run on in 
Cause Sigma Kappa’s got my mind off in the wind
And y’all do what you do cause y’all so cool
And y’all need to start your own chapter at my school
No longer tense since I came into your world
I wanna serenade y’all girls in your pearls
Y’all ladies that I’m keeping and who knows 
Maybe a Sigkap can come to my formal weekend



Wilton Class 1 - Final Project

Here's my final cake. Ta da!


Old Fashioned Devil's Food w/ Strawberry Jam Filling and Vanilla Buttercream

I think it would make a nice Christmas cake with red flowers instead of dusty rose and without the yellow around the border. 

The big green flowers were the hardest part. Everything else in the class I'd been able to do correctly after a couple tries but these really kicked my butt. Any tips would be appreciated. 

I like this class so much that I signed up for Wilton's course 2 which starts mid October. Can't wait!

If you're interesting in decorating, check out your local craft store to see if they offer any Wilton classes.