I am not ready for Holiday cookies yet. I get it, Thanksgiving is over and everything Christmas is about to flood my Facebook wall but it's still November, dang it! I had to dedicate one last cookie to my favorite season and what better way to do it than to use my new toy, an airbrush machine! When I think of Fall, the first image that comes to mind are turning leaves in glorious shades of yellow, orange and red. Making cookies that do justice to the subtle changes in colors can be tricky but the airbrush machine made it super easy. I ...
Cranberry Almond Fall Biscotti
Biscotti are one of those recipes that look super impressive to anyone who's never made them. It's kind of like chocolate bark or meringues. All super easy recipes but not that common. So when I bring a batch of biscotti to work I get a lot of ooh's and ash's even though they took me less than an hour to put together and I was watching re-runs of Judge Judy the whole time. You can imagine how thrilled I get when I figure out a way to make it even easier. The best part about biscotti are the mix-ins. Pistachio, chocolate, lemon or ...
Strawberry Molded Cookies
It's been way too long since my last post but I am finally back in the kitchen. Yay! Turns out that making cookie dough is a bit like riding a bike. You never forget how to do it. A lot has happened in the last couple of months. I sold my company, I got a new job that I love and I got on a serious diet; but that's no excuse for the lack of sweets. After all, what would my world be without cakes and cookies? Sad, that's what. So what better way to get back in the mix than by trying a new cookie-shaping technique? During one of my visits at ...
Tiny Robot Cookies
My friend James is as obsessed with robots as I am with monkeys. It's kind of our thing. He's robot. I'm monkey. We're grown ass dudes and we're cool with that. =) So the other day I got this idea for a tiny robot cookie and I am so pleased with how they turned out. Oh and they're really easy to make so yay! ...
Frosted Snowflakes Cookies
Did you know that all snowflakes have 6 sides? I was gathering my cutters for today's project when I realized I'd never noticed that before. I mean, I know the general shape but for some reason I thought that maybe some had 5 sides, others 8. Since every snowflake is different, I wondered, are there always 6 sides? I had to look this up. Well, according to learner.org, “The oxygen atom has a particularly strong attraction to the electron clouds of the two hydrogen atoms and pulls them closer. This leaves the two hydrogen ends more positively ...
Christmas Carols Cookies
Christmas music has been blasting at my house for over a week now and so far no one has cracked. Success! Today's cookie project will have you singing your favorite holiday tunes as you decorate the tree: Christmas Carol Ornament Cookies! Christmas Carols Cookies Print makes 24 cookies Ingredients 2 sticks of butter, room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 cups flour Food coloring Instructions In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until ...
Gingerbread Train
The holidays are finally here!!! And what better way to start December than with gingerbread cookies? Today's cookie project takes the classic gingerbread cookie to a whole new level. I've wanted to do a cookie train for awhile and finally found an easy way to put it together. Here is how to make it: Gingerbread Train Print makes one train Ingredients For the Gingerbread Cookie Dough: 1 stick butter, at room temperature ½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup molasses 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tbsp ground ginger 1 tbsp ground cloves 1 tsp baking ...
Thanksgiving Place Card Cookies
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. A whole day dedicated to friends, family and food sounds just about right. I am never really sure what to eat leading up to the big dinner though. Should I have a big breakfast or eat as little as possible and save room? Should I have lunch? What time is dinner anyway? 2? 3? 4? No one's ever sure. Whatever I choose, I always end us with a growling stomach for a few hours. I'm like a kid the night before Christmas. All this deliciousness just hours away... Today's project is a cute way to sneak in a ...
Argyle Pumpkin Cookies
Yay, I'm baking again! I know, it's been a while since my last post and I feel really bad about it. Apparently some of my friends started counting the days. Oops. I don't even have a good excuse. I actually feel pretty nerdy about it. See, I got the latest Batman video game for my birthday and that's pretty much all I've been doing. Yes, nerd. But enough saving the world for awhile, my oven needs me. That and I finished the game so I'm over it but whatever, my ovens need me. Today's cookie celebrates the fall season and my love for argyle ...
Apple Pie Cookies
Fall is here, and it only means one thing: it's Pie Season!!! Apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie. I love them all. If you've been following SweetExplorations, you know that, back in July, I came up with a concept for lattice pie cookies (check them out here if you haven't already). Since you guys loved them as much as I did, I could not wait to make new versions. Today is apple pie! I love these apple pie cookies and they're really easy to make so I hope you'll love them too. Here is how to make them: Apple Pie Cookies Print makes ...
“Home is Where the Heart Is” Cookies
My friend Will is in town from NYC and I had to make him something sweet to celebrate. My inspiration was pretty easy. See, Will is super social. Everyone knows him. Ever since he moved from SF to NYC over 5 years ago, there has been one question out of everyone's mouth: "when is he moving back?" So to celebrate our friend of 2 cities, I made him these simple cookies. Here is how to make them: "Home is Where the Heart Is" Cookies Print makes 12 cookies Ingredients for the cookies: 1½ stick of butter, room temperature 1 cup ...
Movie Night Cookies
As much as my friends expect to find freshly baked cookies at my house on any major holidays, I find that baking sweets for casual get-together's can be more gratifying. Maybe it is the element of surprise or getting to work on a whole new theme. Whatever it is, it gets my creativity going and that's always a good thing. Today's theme is Movie Night and these bite-sized cookies will be the star of the evening. Here is how to make them: Movie Night Cookies Print Ingredients for the cookies: 1½ stick of butter, room temperature ...
Baby Octopus Cookies
I hope everyone is having a great summer. It's been way too many days since my last post so I hope the cuteness overload of today's cookies will make up for it. There is a reason I haven't posted sooner. See, my dog ate my last batch of cookies. Nope, not even joking. Everyone, this is my dog Louis: Louis is a French bulldog. If you know anything about that breed, you'll know that French bulldogs are as loving as they are stubborn and lately Louis has been acting up. Who knew he would develop an obsession with butter? Must be the ...
Cool Summer Cookies
Sometimes the most simple ideas make for the best cookies. I don't know what it is. Maybe after spending weeks piping royal icing into intricate designs and hunting for deco sugars, your brain just goes "you know what, how 'bout we keep it simple?" Today's cookie project is one of those times. The concept popped up in my head. I had some dough in the fridge. I had leftover icing. Fast forward an hour later and the cookies were finished. Gotta love it! Here is how to make Cool Summer Cookies: Cool Summer Cookies Print makes 15 ...
Lattice Pie Cookies
You have to love the fact that everything is in season right now. Strawberries, peaches, raspberries...I can't get enough. Obviously, one of the best ways to enjoy summer fruit is to turn them into delicious pies and that's the inspiration for today's cookie. Don't get me wrong, I love pies. I just love cookies more =) My favorite kind of pie is the classic lattice pie and I figured out a way to make a cookie version that will be a hit at your next picnic. Here is how to make them: Lattice Pie Cookies Print makes 6 cookies ...
Independence Day Balloon Cookies
As far back as I can remember, it was always my dream to live in the USA. I could not shake it. Something inside my heart was telling me that America was where I truly belonged. So I finished college, bought myself a ticket and came here with nothing but a bag of clothes and big dreams. Fast forward many years later, I am lucky enough to have made that dream a reality and the United States is now my home. That's why to this day, as an immigrant, American holidays hold a special place in my heart. Today's cookie project is a yummy tribute to my ...
Meringue Cloud Cookies
It's a cloudy day today in SF but I have just what you need to turn this gloomy sky into the cutest little cookies: Meringue Cloud Cookies! Meringue cookies are surprisingly easy to make. It only takes about 10 minutes to prep the batter. The secret to turn a few egg whites and some sugar into pillowy cookies is gentle, low heat baking. You want to set them without caramelizing the sugar. Lucky for us, that is just as easy to do as making the batter. So dig up your blankie, make some tea and gather 'round. Here is how to make Meringue Cloud ...
3D Glasses Cookies
I still remember my first 3D movie. It was a cheesy horror flick on TV with some kind of swamp monster. I was around 6 and it must have been a big deal back then because even TV guide had a pair of 3D glasses in that week's issue. I am saying "must have been" because I am sure that any kid today would look at me and my pair of cardboard glasses and feel sorry for me. But that's what we had in the 80's: cheap cardboard pieces of awesomeness. Here is my yummy tribute to old school 3D glasses: 3D Glasses Cookies Print makes 16 ...
Cute Fortune Cookies
Gung Hey Fat Choi! Happy Chinese New Year! I learned something funny recently. Did you know that fortune cookies were invented in California? It sounds so odd since every Chinese meal ends with those but it's true. The cookie's hometown is disputed between San Francisco and Los Angeles but one thing is sure: Fortune cookies are an American thing. So just in time for Chinese New Year, here is my take on the classic fortune cookie. Except, why make them plain when you can add patterns? Here is how to make them: Cute Fortune Cookies ...
Tetris Cookies
Did you know the Game Boy game console was launched almost 24 years ago? I don't care if that makes me old, GameBoy was awesome. If there was one game I obsessed over, it was Tetris. To this day, as much as 8-bit video games have lost most of their appeal, give someone an old GameBoy with Tetris and they will be hooked. So here is my tribute to this amazing game: Tetris cookies. It will help me forget that it's been 24 years =) Here is how to make them: Tetris Cookies Print makes 80 Tetris pieces Ingredients for the cookies: ...
8-bit Christmas Cookies
Here is a great cookie idea for your favorite computer nerd. Yes, I know a few =) How about some old school 8-bit Christmas Cookies? That's right, watch your favorite geek freak out when you bring them these cute little cookies. Best of all, here are 2 different techniques to make them: 8 Bit Christmas Cookies Print makes 24 cookies Ingredients for the cookies: 12 tbsp butter (1½ sticks) 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tbsp vanilla extract 2½ cups flour for the icing: 1 2lb bag of confectioner sugar ⅓ cup meringue ...
Edge of the Cup Cookies
Winter is finally approaching. Each morning gets a little colder than the last and getting out from under warm blankets gets a lot harder. These days the only thing that gets me out of bed is the smell of coffee. I love that smell. The machine sounds, I could do without. =) No matter your brew of choice, today's cookie idea is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face, even those who will never be morning people. After all, what's better than a hot drink with a cookie hanging on the side of the cup? Here is how to make them: Edge of the Cup ...
Owl Cookies
You know what? I want more owls =) Unfortunately I have one big problem: I could not get my hands on an owl cookie cutter. Was that going to stop me? Not a chance. Give me an egg cookie cutter, a heart cookie cutter and I give you owls! Here is how to make them: Owl Cookies Print Ingredients 12 tbsp butter (1½ sticks) 1 cup sugar 1 egg 2½ cups flour One 2lb bag of confectioner sugar ⅓ cup meringue powder ¾ cup water food coloring Instructions In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the ...
Burberry Cookies
I love Burberry. The scarves, trench coats, shirts... Their classic tartan pattern looks great on pretty much anything. So why not put it on a cookie? Bonus reason: my friend Aileen is also a big Burberry fan so this would make the perfect treat to bring her to work and make her day =) Here is how to make them: Burberry Cookies Print Makes 24 cookies Ingredients 12 tbsp butter (1½ sticks) 1 cup sugar 1 egg 2½ cups flour One 2lb bag of confectioner sugar ⅓ cup meringue powder ¾ cup water food coloring ...
Falling Leaves Cookies
With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving around the corner, it's time to celebrate fall and all its goodies. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Fall are falling leaves. Leaf cookies are cute but they tend to look flat. Here is a easy project to give leaf cookies that just-fallen-off-the-tree look: For the cookie dough, we are using our Basic Sugar Cookie recipe (follow link for detailed recipe instructions). Falling Leaves Cookies Print Ingredients 12 tbsp butter (1½ sticks) 1 cup sugar 1 egg ...
GO GIANTS!!! (a.k.a. Baseball Cookies)
The San Francisco Giants did it again! World Series champions for the 2nd time in 3 years. Let me tell you, the city went nuts Sunday night. Everyone got out into the streets and celebrated this victory. Today Wednesday is the victory parade in downtown San Francisco. 1 million people are expected! Can you believe it? One thing is for sure, we love our Giants. In honor of this victory, I made some baseball cookies that sport the Giants logo. As usual, easy technique, maximum effect. Here is how to make them: First we need to make SF Giants ...
Halloween Stamped Cookies
As with most decorating techniques, I started using stamps by accident. I was looking for ways to draw intricate patterns on cookies using food coloring. I was playing with brushes, stencils and sprays but my results weren't cutting it. So I took a trip to Michael's to get inspired when I saw $1 stamps in the bargain bins. I figured "why not?", got a couple of shapes and rushed home. I gave it a shot and O...M...G, it worked! Yay! So many possibilities! Here are some fun ideas for Halloween: To make these cookies, we first need to bake our ...
Strawberry Stained Glass Cookies
Did you know that one strawberry has over 200 seeds? That's one of the fun facts I just learned from my plot neighbor at our community garden. See, I have been obsessed with growing strawberries for the past year. I am not the worst gardener but for some reason I can't keep a strawberry plant alive. To make it worse, all my neighbors grow amazing strawberries. Luckily, my neighbors are pretty awesome and love to share. Love you guys! To thank them for their advice - and their strawberries - I made these Strawberry Cookies over the weekend. It ...
Life's too short to skip butter.
