Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Colorful Spiderweb Cookies


It is that time of year again! It is time to start getting carried away and wrapped up in cutout cookies. Boy, I sure do find a way to get wrapped up. These cookies were made a couple of weeks ago to celebrate the beginning of October. My boyfriend was away visiting family so for several days I immersed myself in cookie baking and decorating.

I like to use a recipe from kitchengifts.com. I have used it for years and it is very reliable and easy to work with. And the best part is that it tastes great! Sometimes I use almond, sometimes vanilla, always whatever citrus zest I have.. you get the picture. As with most of my recipes, it is one that you can adjust to fit your mood or event.

6 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt

Combine dry ingredients together in a bowl. Cream the butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add in the dry ingredients a small amount at a time. Stir together until well incorporated.

Chill dough

Everyone has their thickness preference. I like about 1/4 inch. Roll the dough and cut into desired shapes.

Bake for 8-12 minutes at 350. Watch the edges closely. They will turn from lightly browned to crispy critter in a heartbeat.

Cool and then decorate.
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Why do I cut off the edges of my dough? Because I can :) No, really, I am persnickety. If I cut off the edges there is no chance of a cookie with sloping edges.


I let the first layer of royal icing dry overnight.


The next day I finished decorating.


Another pic just because I like all the bright colors!


And another :)

9 comments:

~Amber~ said...

These are adorable and super festive!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, those are WAYYYY cute!!

Spryte said...

WOW!! Those look GREAT!!!!!

TeaLady said...

Cute Cookies.

Johanna B said...

I am impressed by your cookies. I have trouble with cutouts.

The Moon Muse said...

Thanks Everyone! I had a lot of fun with these.

The Moon Muse said...

Johanna,

Try rolling out the dough between waxed or parchment paper and then put it on a cookie sheet in the fridge. Let it chill completely and then cut out cold. Chill again before you bake. Also make sure to bake only on a cold sheet. These few things help keep the cookies from spreading to much and also gives a nice edge to the cookie.

Coldhitz said...

Right on Moni . I always seek out the cookie table at Halloween , to see who made theme cookies and who bought a bag .Keep on keepin ' on . Your blog is looking nice .

The Moon Muse said...

Thanks Larry!