Take A Peek Tuesday! Cookie Cutter Giveaway!

The cookie cutters I use most often,  are kept in a drawer right where I roll and cut my cookie dough.

Notice anything?
Yup, all sets of basic geometric shapes.
(well...except for those weird twig shaped cutters.  Those are just there because I was being lazy and haven't put them away yet)
I recommend these sets all the time, they're so versatile!
The only downfall to these sets?
They can be a bit pricey...
So when I found them at Wal-Mart for only $2.88 each,  I did what any conscientious blogger would do....
I Instagrammed!

...and caused a bit of a swarm.
Not sure why, but apparently these have been hard to find.


A lot of friends asked where they can be found once you are in the store.

In my neighborhood, they were in the seasonal Easter baking aisle, middle shelf under the Wilton Sprinkles.
I went back to buy some for my cookie friends that couldn't find them, and ended up with an extra set of each.
Hmmmmm, what to do, what to do?
I know, I'll give them both to one of you!!!
Giveaway time!
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Good Luck!

Take A Peek Tuesday! Which Came First....?

A reader posted a question on those Chevron Heart Cookies from a few days ago.

K asked "Do you sugar first and then go back for the second color, or the other way around?

When she posted, she chose Anonymous and was a 'no-reply' commenter,

so I couldn't answer!!!

But I can answer her here!

Whew...

I always, always, always decorate the section to be sugared, last.



Here's why:

See that baseball diamond cookie on the left? Notice where the brown 'dirt' meets the sugared 'grass'?
That's what happens (at least to me) when I sugar first, then flood the area next to it. The wet flood icing sort of grabs onto the little sugar crystals and the edge isn't quite straight.

The sparkly centers on these cookies were done after the outer section had dried, much cleaner edge.

Hope that answered your question K! Thanks for asking!

Take A Peek Tuesday! Organizing Tips!

Okay,  that sounded like I was going to give you tips on organizing didn't it?
I meant...here's how I organize my tips, my pastry tips. (Those metal pointy things that all look the same from the side)

I love this box!!!   I bought it at Jo-Ann's a few years ago, with a coupon of course. Darice 2025-288 Double-Sided Clear Plastic Craft Tote

It holds tons of stuff and you can move around the little dividers  to make the sections all different sizes!

I keep it open on the chair next to me while I'm working so I can see down into it and grab what I need.
Easy-Peasy!
I keep my 'boo-boo' sticks in there, and tweezers. Tip covers and bag ties too.
You can't see what I love most about this box though...
It flips over and has more storage on the back! (I'll save that for another day)
*Jaclyn...thanks for asking!!!*


Don't forget to enter my Valentine's Day Giveaway! Win cookies for you and your sweetie!
click HERE

Take A Peek Tuesday! No More Burnt Cookies!

It's Tuesday!   That crazy day when I show you a little something from my kitchen.
Come on in and Take A Peek!
Last week I showed you my hoard collection of cookie sheets  and chatted about which ones were my favorites.
This week, it will be one of my favorite cookie 'tools'...

I love these things!
Quite a few bakers use parchment paper, and occasionally I do as well. But...I'm awful at tearing it off the roll. And then I have to pull out the scissors to make it fit. And it always curls up on me. And then I have put something on the edges to keep the paper flat while I'm cutting out cookies...
UGH! (then I have to explain to my kids why mommy used one of 'those words')
I'm sticking with my Silpats.
Okay, wait.
Silpat is a name brand, but it's often used for any silicone liner. Sort of like how we use 'tupperware' for all those storage containers.
There are many different brands out there...all pretty good.

Here's a closer look....pretty similar, right? Some kind of mesh screen encased in slippery silicone. The top is smoother than the bottom and typically has printing.

They all do their jobs perfectly. Cookie bottoms are gorgeous every time!
One of them is a little different though...did you notice?

I bought a few of those Paderno liners at the Williams-Sonoma outlet last summer. There was a huge sale on bakeware so I couldn't resist. I noticed the corners at the time, but didn't think anything of them.... until I got them on my cookie sheets.
They stick up a little bit. Just enough that if I have a cookie close to the corner, it bakes funny.
Huh.
I think I can just cut the corner but I haven't quite gotten around to it yet.
Cleaning is super easy.

Just wipe them down with a soapy sponge. I spread out a clean kitchen towel and lay it on there after I clean it.

A quick swipe over the top and its dry and ready to go into the drawer!
No, they're not cheap.  But, they last forever, that silpat is almost 10 years old. Seriously.
I don't want to know how much 10 years of parchment paper would cost.
Just don't use a knife on them!

For your shopping pleasure...
Amazon
set of 3 MIU


Silpat...comes in different sizes!

Karen's Cookies

Country Kitchen Sweet Art

If you decide to try them, I'd love to hear what you think!

Best Ever Cookie Sheets!

It's 'Take-A-Peek' Tuesday!!!
I'm going to talk about something incredibly unglamorous today...
the humble cookie sheet.

Would you mind if I gave you a little backstory here?
For years and years I worked at Williams Sonoma. (loved every minute by-the-way)
While I was there, I did almost every job there was:  greeting at the door, training new employees, shipping and receiving, inventory,  money stuff, opening a brand new store,  watching over the 'brand-new-not-even-open-yet-store' as it flooded from the store next door.... (Hi Camille!)
These years also left me with a pretty seriously equipped kitchen. You name a kitchen tool, I've probably tried it and more than likely own one.
Why was I telling you this?
Oh right, cookie sheets! I've tried them all....seriously, not kidding. Even the million dollar All-Clad golden kind.
Here are the ones that earned a spot in my cabinet.

On the far left are the 'others'.
They're....fine.  
Nothing really wrong with them, I just don't bake cookies on them. Some are really thin, some are too dark, some are super heavy, but don't have edges and I use them  for one particular type of cookie...and frozen pizza. There's also a pizza stone that I don't recall using or buying but can't seem to part with.
My BFFs are in the middle.
Let's discuss...

Generally I will always choose a non-coated cookie sheet. The non-stick surfaces just complicate matters. They can get scratched, then flake and can be hard to clean.
A silicone liner or parchment paper will always give you better results  if you're concerned about sticking and cleaning.
However...they look a heck of a lot better in photos, so I have a few of those.

A lighter color will heat more evenly. (y'know how the cake mix box tells you to turn down your oven if you use a dark pan?)
A thick bottom is crucial.
CRUCIAL!!!!
Just like a heavy pan will do a better job on your stovetop,  a thick cookie sheet will heat more evenly, stay flat and have less or no warping.
How heavy? If you're holding it one hand and your wrist is straining a bit, that's a good sign.

The rolled edges are a good too. Less warping, very durable, easier to hold.
For me, high sides are a must.
There are a bunch of reasons having to do  with air circulation in your oven and all that... but let's be honest.
You only have to watch all your cookies slide off your pan  onto the floor once to understand why.
Alright...now I know there are a few people out there wondering about insulated cookie sheets, and I'm sure some of you swear by them and they are the only thing you use.
I don't like them. I don't. Not even a little. That's just the way it is.
You can find my favorites in lots of places. Sometimes they're called Half-Sheet pans or Jelly-Roll Pans.
Karen's Cookies Amazon Williams-Sonoma Sur La Table

After aaaaaaaall that, here's the real reason I know that these are the very best in the whole wide world.
My mother-in-law won't use any other kind. 'nuff said.


Next week we'll chat about those liners!

Take A Peek Tuesday! Controlling Those Cookie Sheets!

Cookie Sheets are one of those things that seem to breed behind your back. Never enough room for the dang things.

Then, if you stack them up...your favorite is always on the very bottom of the pile. Every....single....time. I'm not sure how that's even possible, but its true.
So when I thought about where to store them in my kitchen,  I took a few things into consideration....


1.  I'm lazy and will always use the cookie sheet on the top of the stack. Even if its warped and burns cookies, I will still use it.
2.  I'm lazy and hate to bend over to pull items out of bottom cabinets.
3.  I'm lazy and hate having to move things around to put them away.
4.  I'm lazy and if I need something, I don't want to have to go very far to get it.


What does that all mean?


1. My cookie sheets need to be stored on their sides, not stacked.   2.  I need to put them eye-level or higher. This is trickier than it sounds...most upper cabinets are not deep.
3.  This needs to be a BIG cabinet that will hold TONS of cookie sheets.
4.  They need to be close to the oven and my workspace.


Where would that be? Above the oven!

Can't get much closer to the oven than that!

I do all my cookie rolling/cutting on the center island right across from the oven...

...its super convenient for that too!

I think a lot of people store cookie sheets up there.

Do You?

I remember seeing a custom cabinet option with dividers when we re-did our kitchen.

That's way too much commitment for me.

Over ten years ago I saw this solution as one of Martha Stewart's 'Good Things'

and I've used these ever since!

Love 'em!!!

I can change the widths anytime I need to.

I can add some and make more slots...or take some away!

If you'd like to see which ones and which size I used, 

you can see them HERE at my Amazon store.

I bought mine from Jo-Ann's and I'm sure you could find them at Hobby Lobby or even Wall-Mart.

(and don't forget your coupons!)

Just be sure to measure your cabinet before you leave the house...they come in a zillion different sizes!

Next week....my very Favorite Cookie Sheets!!!

My Kitchen?!

A funny thing happened over the holiday. Our friends and family that stopped in to visit kept looking in my cabinets.
No, I'm not joking. They even took pictures.
A week or two before Christmas, I put all (YES ALL) of my baking things away. I was determined to take a real vacation while the kids were out of school. But...this really bothered people.
I heard a lot of... "So where are all the cookies?!"
Don't get me wrong, it didn't bother me in the least, but I was surprised. They wanted to see the colors and cutters and baking sheets and sprinkles...
So, I thought about it for awhile... and I would have done the exactly same thing.
If I showed up at another baker's house, the first thing I would want to see is all the stuff! ....and then I'm sure all the questions would start...
"Where did you get this?"
"What do you use this for?!"
"Which one is your favorite?"
"Where do you put it all!!!?"




So....want to come over and visit my kitchen?

(I did straighten up just a bit before you stopped by.)







Here's the working part.

I work in the kitchen, Joe has his office around the corner (he works at home! yay!).






I take pictures over by that big window.

Southern exposure + uv layer on windows = blue photos.
We get a serious amount of sun for most of the year. I took this picture at 8:30 in the morning.
I have to wait until the afternoon for the light to be just right.






So....where do I put all that stuff?

Well....I'll show you.
Every Tuesday! Here's what I was thinking.
I'll start a new series....'Take-A-Peek Tuesdays!'
I'll show you how I store things.
How I organize my work space.
Which of my tools are my absolute favorites, and which ones never really get used, and where I got them!
(I'm hoping I'll even get some friends to share their spaces too!)