I'm Back!

Thanks for the cookie input.  It has really become quite an obsession and it isn't helping with the diet either. ;-)  So, excuse the flash on these...it was late and dark and I was lazy. 

And yes, the frosting does leave a little to be desired.  It's a learning process people! 

Here are my lessons for this week:

I love, love, love this chocolate sugar cookie.  They don't spread at all.  Great texture, great flavor...still searching for the regular counter part.  (Julie, I'll try Martha's this week.)  

I've also decided that I hate, hate, hate royal icing.  I don't like the way it performs and I can't stand the taste.  Enter, my new favorite frosting:

1 lb powdered sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/2  tsp Almond extract

approx 1/4 cup water

I can make it thick enough to pipe!  My mom used to make the same recipe with milk but she never piped it.  I think the water actually works better.  It still hardens and you don't have to worry about the milk sitting out. 

I've decide to hold off on ordering the fancy baking mats.  I have good cookie sheets and I'm really happy with my parchment methods. 

In case you are interested in getting sucked into this cookie obsession, here's some internet inspiration:

Cookie Crazie 

Sweet Sugar Belle

University of Cookie

And finally, because we never take pictures together and are trying to work on that,

and because he's gone an let me alone with my monsters for the week,

and because I kinda miss him...

here's a new picture of me and my "old ball and chain."

photograph courtesy of my boy.