Archive for 2009

Snowflake Wishes and More From Wilton

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

The holiday season is about giving and spending time with the ones you love. What better way to share the spirit of the season than by making and sharing homemade, heartfelt treats. Wilton’s latest holiday pattern, Snowflake Wishes, will help to inspire your holiday baking and food gifting. (more…)

Cookie Exchange Across the Miles

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

You’ve probably already guessed from the other posts that Wilton employees love to find reasons to celebrate at work! The holidays are no exception, especially this year. We all have Cookie Exchange fever! I manage a great team of 7 people that love to bake, and I thought a Cookie Exchange would be a fun and festive way to celebrate the season together. One problem, though – we live in 7 different cities! (more…)

A Monkey of a First Birthday!

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

I took a break from holiday baking this weekend to do a project for my little cousin Nico’s 1st birthday, and a Monkey cake and animal cupcakes were the perfect choice! (more…)

Roll Out Cookie Ideas

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

I used to despise rolling out cookies. No matter how many recipes I tried, the dough just never turned out right; it was too hard, too dry and crackly, or too sticky. Approximately 25% of the dough that I prepared was actually baked into successful cookies, with the remaining 75% producing cookies that spread into huge, nebulous blobs on my sheet pans. What a waste of time and money! Rolled cookies were definitely my nemesis, but not anymore! (more…)

Basic Bakeware for your Kitchen

Monday, December 7th, 2009

There are some bakeware pans that are a basic and every kitchen should have them. Not that the back of a cake mix box is the authority, but you’ll find them listing 8” rounds, 9” rounds, 13” X 9”, a decorative cast aluminum/tube (metal piece in the center of the pan) like the Tulip, muffin pans, 8” square, 9” square and a loaf pan. Of course, they don’t mention the “gotta have” cookie sheets/pans, cooling grids or pizza pans. (more…)

A Gingerbread World

Friday, December 4th, 2009

It’s the holidays! It’s time for gumdrops, pinwheels and colorful candy. It’s time to spend afternoons with our families and build a sweet, colorful and fun world together; a world made of gingerbread, a charming place where gingerbread boys, reindeer and snowmen live. Plan for the project or make a mess with the kids; either way, take your time and enjoy every moment! (more…)

Giving Cookies as Holiday Gifts

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Have you ever given cookies as a gift at the holidays? Based on a recent poll we conducted, almost 90% of those surveyed are planning on giving cookies as a gift this year. It is easy to see why. People enjoy receiving cookies because it says “I thought of you and took the time to bake for you”, and giving cookies helps you make the most of your holiday gift-giving budget. (more…)

How to Store Holiday Cookies

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Well, it is the time of year where my kitchen starts to look like a cookie factory rather than a place for cooking meals! But I love this time of year. This is when I bake all my favorite cookie recipes that have been handed down from my mother, my grandmother and also some from close friends and neighbors. This year I’ll add some new recipes from our Cookie Exchange Book. (more…)

Ramping up for Holiday Cookie Baking

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Woohoo, it is officially cookie season! And it’s also officially chaotic holiday season, too! With all of the parties, shopping, and planning, this time of year can be stressful. If you’re thinking that there won’t be time for homemade cookies this year, think again. Whether you’re a first time baker or a pastry guru, I’ve got some tips to simplify your holiday cookie agenda. There’s no time to waste, so here we go! (more…)

Start the Presses!

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Every year around the holidays when bakers start making their spritz cookies, we receive a number of questions regarding the use of the Wilton cookie press. The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. I hope these tips will help ensure that your cookie press keeps going as long as you do! (more…)