The Best Old Fashioned Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe

This recipe was passed to me by my sister, via our dear friend.  I used this recipe years ago when I was room mom at my children's elementary school.  I would do the Valentines parties and cut out heart shapes.  I would bring the frosting and all of the decorations for the cookies and the children would always enjoy doing the decorating.  I know you will agree they are SOooo yummy.  They taste like the best bakery style cookies you will find! *

      Enjoy!

 

Martha's Old Fashioned Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe

Yield 3 dozen medium sized cut out cookies

Oven temperature 350* 8-10 minutes

Dough:

1 Cup Butter ( unsalted)
3 Oz Cream Cheese
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg Beaten
1 tsp Vanilla

2 1/2 Cups Flour
1/4 teaspoon salt ( only if you use unsalted butter)
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder

On Medium Speed, Cream Butter and Cream Cheese, add Sugar, beaten egg and Vanilla.  Once incorporated, add Dry ingredients and beat for 1 minute, until all ingredients are incorporated.

Cover and chill the dough.

Roll the dough to about a 1/4 inch thickness, on to floured wax paper.  Use Cutters or a glass to make special shapes.  Place cut out cookies on cookie sheet ( or sheet with silpat or parchment).  Place the tray in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.  Don't over brown...cookies should be dough colored for best results.  Remove from the parchment and place on a cooling rack.

Frosting:

3 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/3 Cup Melted Butter
1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 Cup Milk

Mix Melted Butter and Powdered Sugar together in mixing bowl on medium speed.  Add Vanilla and Milk and continue to blend until smooth and all ingredients are incorporated.  Add drops of food coloring of your choice and mix well.  ( you may separate the frosting prior to coloring if you would like to make different color frosting) 

Once the cookies have cooled completely, about 15 minutes, use a spatula to frost the cookies.  Add decorations or sprinkles as you like.  You may add the frosting to a frosting bag and pipe on if you would like.  The frosting will level out and stay moist.

Share and enjoy!

*photo courtesy of cookingclassy.com

Door County Plein Air Fest 2013 : my perspective

                         

Last Summer I had the great pleasure of attending the Door County Plein Air Fest.  Looking back on the Summer there was so much I learned.  Watching the professional painters, over their shoulders in all types of conditions,  in the beauty of Door County, was so motivational to me!

                       

The weekend before the fest, I participated in a wonderful vintage show in Baileys Harbor and it was my maiden voyage with my little camper, Miss Mabel,  SOLO.  Hooking her up, unhooking and setting up camp... all by my self! I did it!

                         

In the first part of the week, I hit the road to find the professionals out on the town painting.  I found a friend in Laurel Daniel, she was such a delight.  I first met her, looking over her shoulder in Egg Harbor.  She was painting a little shop called Papel.  A cute little building just across from the Market in  Egg Harbor.  I loved watching her mix colors and create her beautiful painting.

Later that day, I went to Woodwalk Gallery.  What a beautiful setting that is.  I loved seeing the colors and paints that were being used.

                                

By mid week, friends Vanessa and Annette arrived to pay a visit.  They came over to my little campsite to enjoy appetizers and wine

Thursday I headed out to the Causeway on kangaroo lake to do a little practicing and color mixing.  The evening was lovely and the light on the lake, unforgettable.

                                

Saturday morning I woke up at 7 am to be ready at the quick paint by 8:00 am to stake out my spot.  In years past, I painted "Malibu Moos" in Fish Creek.  This year I thought I would mix it up a bit and paint The Summertime restaurant, a beautiful little indoor and outdoor bistro.  The gardens were breathtaking as always, in the Door.  We had a great time finding our spot for the Quick Paint, amongst professionals and non professionals alike.

                                

At 9:00 am the horn sounded and we had 2 hours to complete our painting.  You may not draw or paint on your canvas prior to the horn.  Working at a steady pace, until someone yelled "we've got 30 minutes left" and it is time to wrap up our paintings... to pull them all together so that they will be ready for sale that evening at the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek.

In the past years I have painted Malibu Moos and have sold it every time, but this year I wanted to mix it up.

                         

Later Saturday morning my eldest daughter Aubrey, Sister Leslie, Brother-in-law Ken and "Sister" Jinny arrived after traveling from the Chicagoland area that morning.  What a surprise to see them!

                             

We spent the day wondering around the county, then that evening we attended the reception for the painters at the School.  I got in line to see the work of the non professionals that was set up under a large white tent on the grounds and as soon as I arrived at my painting, I found a S O L D sign on it!

                               

Every year I have attended, and painted, I have had the good fortune of selling my painting.  It is just so much fun.  I can't wait to participate in 2014!

Cold Winter Salted Hot Cocoa Recipe with Turbano Sugar and Sea Salt

                        

What is better on a cold winter day than good old fashioned hot cocoa.  This tried and true recipe with a twist, will put a smile on everyones faces and warm the blush from their cold cheeks.

Enjoy my take on the Salted everything trend with my cold winter salted chocolate hot cocoa recipe.

Here's what you will need:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup Water
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup half and half
• 4 cups whole milk
• Whipped Cream
• Chocolate syrup
• Sea Salt
• Turbano Sugar ( Sugar in the Raw)
• * ( add in if you like:  Baileys Irish Cream, Brandy, peppermint stick, cinnamon stick or use caramel as a drizzle! ) follow your imagination.

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, whisk together the first 4 ingredients.  When well mixed, add the half and half and Milk and whisk all together.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until Steamy.
3. Simmer on low 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
4.  Do Not Boil.
5. Remove cocoa from heat and whisk. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream.
6. Drizzle chocolate syrup on top of the whipped cream and top with a small amount of Sea Salt and Turbano Sugar. 
7. Share and Enjoy

*