So..... my second cookbook, 100 Best Decorated Cookies came out a few weeks ago (woo-hoo!), and I'm obviously a bit tardy posting about it on this blog. Fall, 2013 has shaped up to be one heckuva busy season, and there is no sign of it slowing down any time soon. I have become Starbucks' best customer lately, although you wouldn't know if since they still can't spell my name correctly on the cup.
Psst......barista: It's J-U-L-I-E, not "June", not "July", not "Joolee". Yes, each of these misspellings once adorned my venti-skinny-extra-hot-latte cup. Sigh. Onward.
So anyhow, back to the book. Sorry. Don't get me started on my coffee.
If you've read this blog for a while, you know that I've been decorating cookies for years, both for special events and just for fun. I've learned that people love the idea of decorating cookies but they are intimidated by the process. The great thing about this book is that it takes you through the cookie-creating process step-by-step, including instructional photos for each step, tools needed and cooking decorating resources. My intention was to make the book a perfect fit for both decorating newbies and those a bit more comfortable holding a piping bag--I hope that I've succeeded!
OK, so there's my "pitch." I'm very proud of this book, and hope that you enjoy it too if you decide to get a copy. There are a wide variety of cookie designs for all occasions, from weddings to children's birthday parties to casino nights (hey, I'm from Vegas) to a girls' night out.
And of course, there is a big seasonal section including holidays, such as Halloween.
These adorable Mummy Trick-or-Treater Cookies are one of my favorite designs, and they are great if you don't have much experience working with fondant or royal icing. They would make a fun favor for a Halloween party or, as noted , you could even incorporate the decorating into a party activity.
I made these cookies using my Vermont Maple Sugar Cookie dough recipe, published below, from the book, but you can certainly substitute a basic sugar cookie recipe instead. Also below are a few helpful step-by-step photos to accompany the instructions, but of course you can find a more complete set in the book.
Enjoy and happy decorating!
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cakewhiz
Your book looks fabulous! I can't wait to get my hands on it. I do more cake decorating but like to dabble in cookie decorating sometimes too. So, your book will come in very handy 🙂
Julie @ Peanut Butter and Julie
Thanks so much, Cakewhiz!! I'm just the opposite--like to dabble in the cake decorating, but I have much room for improvement. Clearly I've taken a bit of a blogging break over the past few months.....need to get back on track!
Kerstin
Adorable! Congrats on your new cookbook!!!
CindyH
I can hardly wait to get your new cookbook...just ordered it from Amazon! I randomly came across it a couple days ago in a Vancouver, BC bookstore (Chapters). I had some time to spare before attending a football game and decided to go in the bookstore and look around. I don't live in Canada and had never been in a Chapters bookstore. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, just browsing. On one of their holiday displays they had a stack of 3 or 4 books. Your book caught my attention because of the title and I could tell it was spiral-bound on the inside. I love baking and I love it when cookbooks are spiral-bound! The books were too high on the display to reach so I took note and headed upstairs to the cooking section. I found your book and fell in love with the fabulous and colorful cookies! I didn't buy it then because I wasn't going to take it to the game with me. I still thought about it when I got home so I did a search on the title. While looking to order the book I saw your blog and here I am. I thought you might enjoy the story of how I stumbled upon your book and your blog. Thanks for the baking inspiration!
Julie @ Peanut Butter and Julie
Cindy!
Thank you so much for your comment and for finding my blog --what a great story. It is always fun to hear how someone "stumbles" upon my books, and I am so glad that you found your way into Chapters bookstore. I've actually never heard of that chain, so I am going to look them up now! So glad that you enjoyed looking at the book, and I hope that you have fun with your copy. Feel free to ask me any questions that arise!
Emily
Congratulations on your new book! You are so talented! I love your sugar cookies. I am going to have to order your book and spread the word! You should do a cake book next! These cookies look mummy.
Julie @ Peanut Butter and Julie
Thank you so much, Emily!! I don't know about a cake book.....but will definitely think about it. Cakes are an entirely different mountain to tackle. Can you imagine how many new friends I would make during recipe testing? That alone might make the project worth it! Happy Halloween!!
vanillasugarblog@aol.com
I wish I could be creative like these.
I am so bad at cookie decorating, even cake decorating is just not in my genes.
Every time I try it always looks "rustic" LOL!
Julie @ Peanut Butter and Julie
Thank you! Trust me--it took me some practice to get the hang of decorating. I'm not sure that anyone is born with it in their genes!! And hey--what's wrong with rustic?? Rustic is on trend these days 🙂