Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker

This week I'm reviewing Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker, from illustrated lifestyle publishers Ryland Peters & Small and CICO Books. Chloe Coker has been baking cakes and treats since she was a small child. From jam tarts to Victoria sponge, her love of baking grew into beautiful wedding cakes and kitsch cookies, eventually turning into her profession. Leaving her old city-lawyer life behind, Chloe trained as a chef and in 2010 opened Chloe Coker Cakes & Catering, specializing in beautiful bespoke cakes and cookies for special occasions. I chose to review this book as I am determined this year to make super cute cookies for Christmas!

The book is split into five main chapters, from an Introduction into all the essential know-how from recipes, to covering and decorating cookies; in depth advice on cooling, storing and a great step-by-step tutorials on making cookie cutters. The second chapter, entitled Celebrations and Gifts, has some of my favourite cookies like the gingham ribbon-strung bunting cookies, polka dot balloon lollipops and the wonderful vintage corsages.

Next up is Fun for Children, which has the cutest bright red apple cookies, the perfect gift for a teacher. There are also animal faces, lady bugs and teddy bears. For little princesses there are tiaras and wand cookies and the delightful retro looking train set. The penultimate chapter, Holiday Cookies, has the cutest polka dot pudding cookies for Cath Kidston fans, fun looking jolly penguins, glittery ghosts and witches and wizards.

Last up is the Love and Weddings chapter, full of pretty, romantic cookies like broderie anglaise cookies. The Tiffany coloured gift box cookies, sparkly diamond ring and the hot pink and white henna tattooed ones. Each of the thirty five cookies are beautifully photographed with accompanying easy to follow photographed instructions and templates.

The Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker is a delightful hard back book book full of whimsical and, yes, very cute cookies. At a recommended price of £14.99, I think this hardback book is a great buy as it is full of great advice and inspirational cookie ideas.

Some of my favourite shots:

Bunting cookies

Polka dot pudding cookies

Broderie Anglaise cookies

Vintage rosette cookies

To summarize, Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker is a delightful book full of inspiring cookie ideas with great tips and advice.

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews (apart from receiving a free book, of course!).

I must go start making my cookies!

Have a sweet day!

Snowflake cookies

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you some of the prettiest snowflake cookies. This year I am determined to make some of my own...., to serve on my Winter Wonderland dessert table and give as gifts.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

• The pretty pink and blue Round Snowflake Cookies by Glorious Treats
• The intricately iced, Decorated Snowflake Cookies by Bossa Cafez
• The perfect white and aqua Snowflake Cookies by Pink Penguin cakes
• The double iced YILBAŞI KURABİYELERİ - CHRİSTMAS COOKİES 2 by DIDEMCAFE

Have a sweet day!

Easter Cookies!

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you some pretty Easter cookies with these gorgeous pics. Check back soon for some more of the most inspirational photographers on Flickr.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

• The sweet butterflies, ducks, rabbits and eggs in easter basket by Lynn In Singapore
  
• The pretty decorated in Easter Cookies by Glorious Treats
  
• The detailed decoration in Easter Egg by Haniela
  
• The wonderful Spring Animals by Glorious Treats

Have a great day!

Butterfly sugar cookies

Sugar cookies (makes about 30 medium and 10 small cookies)

Ingredients
227g ( 8 ounces) butter, softened
390g (13.7 ounces) gluten free plain flour
200g (7 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tsp vanilla essence

Cooking instructions

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder, and set aside
2. Beat butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until the mixture turns a pale colour
3. Add the eggs and vanilla essence and whisk until combined
   
4. Add the flour mixture and whisk until you have a smooth dough
5. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and leave in fridge for one hour
6. Preheat oven to 160-180 deg C (325-350 deg F)
7. Lightly dust work surface with flour
8. Roll out dough so it is about 1cm thick. Turn continually so dough does not stick to surface
9. Cut out desired shapes with a lightly floured cookie cutter
10. Transfer to baking sheets
11. Place unbaked cookies in fridge for 15 mins
12. Bake for 8-10 mins
13. Place cookies on a wire rack to cool

As I have to have a gluten-free diet, I substitute the plain flour for gluten and wheat free plain flour.

Decorating the cookies

You will need:
Roll-on icing (sugar paste)
Pale blue & pale pink food colouring paste
Rolling pin
Butterfly cutters
Small paintbrush
Sieved icing sugar (confectioners sugar)

1. Lightly dust work surface with sieved icing sugar
2. Place roll-on icing onto surface and gradually add food colouring with a cocktail stick (as it is very concentrated), and knead colour in. Keep adding food colouring until you get desired colour
3. Roll out icing so it is about 5mm thick, and cut out butterfly shape using cutter
4. Lightly dampen underside of icing
5. Place on top of cookie, and with a damp brush lightly paint the top to bring back the shine

Butterfly cookie cutter

Butterfly cookie cutter set

Printed butterfly bag instructions coming soon............

Have a sweet day!