Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Sugar Cookies - I'm so not Martha!


I was sitting down with my favorite lunch today and thinking; why are all these party preparations taking me so darn long!  I have had far too many ideas swirling around in my head, and that can be a bad thing!

Can you guess what my favorite lunch is?  Hint Hint...


Martha always makes it look so darn easy, with her origami placeholders and the like.  Maybe the knitted cutlery holders I attempted were a bit overkill anyways.  I'm making some progress, I did manage to get the spice mixes going that are going in the goodie bags.  What, just because we are big girls, doesn't mean we don't like goodie bags.  I'm only giving you a small hint, just in case there are any prying eyes watching (my sister).



I think they are looking pretty cute so far.  I wanted to make hand written menus, with my own homemade ink and of course handmade paper, but who I am I kidding; I'm so not Martha!!


Oh yeah, I mentioned some sugar cookies for you!  I had this Valentines post planned, but there was some mishap with the rice krispie treats, I swear I only turned my back for a minute and they were gone!  I had to make something sweet for my Valentines, so they got some sugar cookies instead.

Adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe:

Sugar Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Beat the butter until softened, add sugar, egg, flour, salt and almond extract and mix until combined.  Chill dough for 1-2 hours.  Roll the dough out onto a floured surface until it's 1/4-inch thick.  Use cookie cutters to cut out the dough and place the cookies 2-inches apart onto cookie sheets lined with parchment or silpats.  

Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 7-9 minutes.

Powdered Sugar Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 cup milk

To a bowl add powdered sugar and milk, add additional milk if necessary, until drizzling consistency.  Tint with food coloring if desired.  I like to use a small offset spatula to ice the cookies; a butter knife will work too.

These are my favorite sugar cookies and I've tried a bunch.  They aren't overly sweet and I like this glaze for when I don't want to pipe royal icing.

Hoping you all had a lovely Valentine's Day with your sweeties!

Enjoy,

Gina
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38 comments:

  1. Kathleen DedonFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Your Sugar Cookies are adorable! Truth be told, though, I want a bite of that sandwich!!

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  2. She's Cookin'February 16, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    What! No handmade paper? The cookies look pretty darn good to me, as do the herbs and garam masala gifties! Yes, big girls love goodie bags, too :) Great job, Gina-I'm-no-Martha!

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  3. Dionne BaldwinFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    I love the cookies! The party prep probably took you so long because you had SO much to do. Spice mixes in a goodie bag would excite me so! I hope you get some time to kick back and rest a little.

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  4. TorviewtorontoFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    these look delicious

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  5. KatrinaFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Martha is ovedr-rated! These look delish!

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  6. Chef DennisFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    hi Gina

    your cookies are magnificent as usual!! And while you might not be Martha, I think Martha could learn a few things from you!!! remember she also has a team running around doing everything for her!
    Cheers
    Dennis

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  7. BeckyFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Great looking cookies, and I'm sure that they taste as good as they look! I would like to receive one of your goodie bags, please.

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  8. SandraFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Beautiful and tasty Gina...love the photos!!!

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  9. The Mom ChefFebruary 16, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    I am SO glad you aren't Martha! I love your cookies. I love the rice krispy treats too.

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  10. KateFebruary 16, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    Thank goodness you're so not Martha! I like you JUST the way you are!!!

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  11. sara @ CaffeInaFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    I was expecting the recipe for the handmade paper but I think I will be happy enough with that of the sugar cookies :)
    I think nobody here is Martha...and that's why we all love each other!

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  12. Angie's RecipesFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Gina, those cookies look magnificent! Ha! Rice crispies..I love them too.

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  13. KimberlyFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Those look so beautiful! And don't feel bad, I think only Martha is like Martha... ahah!

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  14. TrishFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    They look delicious. You may not be Martha but you're perfect as is. I'm amazed how many recipes you bang out, and really good looking ones at that. Hope you had a nice Valentine's Day :-)

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  15. CarolynFebruary 17, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    I am so not martha either, I am terrible at presentation. But looks to me like you did a gorgeous job! On the sugar cookies and the spice mixes, and who needs knitted cutlery holders anyway?

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  16. Susi's Kochen und BackenFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Don't worry Gina, no Martha here either. Everything you made though looks fabulous and it looks like you are going to have an awesome party :o)

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  17. ravienomnomsFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Wellll they look fabulous to me! :-)

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  18. RitaFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    Love you post Gina; what great picures. Martha can be a bit much; home baking and cooking tastes better.
    Rita

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  19. LizzyFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Such a cute post...looks pretty near perfect to me, Gina!!!

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  20. Brandie@thecountrycookFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Hahaha - well, we can't all be Martha Stewart. But what you do is just as amazing!

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  21. RoxanFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    What cute gifts to give! I think my friends would like that a lot also.
    Those cookies look great... sorry to hear about the rice krispie mishap. It's horrible when things go wrong in the kitchen!

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  22. FaithFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Mmmm, your favorite lunch is one of my favorites too -- looks delicious! I think your goodie bags are adorable, and from the hint it looks like they're filled with delicious things! :)

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  23. TiffanyFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    These look great and the glaze sounds wonderful!

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  24. raptortoe.comFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Those heart cookies look pretty damn cute to me!

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  25. ClaudiaFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Of course you're not Martha! You are so wonderfully Gina! And these are beautiful. And sweet. And I want one... some.

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  26. Magic of SpiceFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Did you say goodie bags...what fun and delightful gifts :) Your cookies are wonderful! And by the way I don't follow Martha (no offence) but I do follow you ;)

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  27. ladymorgianaFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    bless you aren't Martha ;) Your cookies look fantastic, herbs and spice and goodie bags do look marvelous... so you go girl and I'm happy you are Gina and not Martha ;) at least you did it all by yourself!

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  28. Pacheco PattyFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Isn't it great that you're not Martha! You can still make cookies and give cute gifts for Valentine's Day;-)

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  29. ravienomnomsFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    I know already posted on this for you but I wanted to let you know that...

    You have an award waiting for you here: http://ravienomnoms.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/day-5-of-detox-and-awards/

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  30. Anu SantanuFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Oh Gina.. I love the cookies..
    Please visit my blog, an award is waiting for you !!
    http://bhalokhabo.blogspot.com

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  31. Evan @swEEtsFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    I'd love a goodie bag and one of those paninis as well :) I love simple sugar cookies and you know if its Martha then its probably pretty good! Hope you had a lovely V-day and have a good weekend!

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  32. MonetFebruary 18, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Hi sweet woman...you always tempt me with your posts, and you know I love my sweets! Thank you for sharing your heart and these treats. I hope you have a blessed Saturday!

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  33. ElisabethFebruary 20, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Such a cute post, and as for Martha...when it comes to cooking or baking, she certainly has a lot of guests that are doing, just that for her.
    With your wonderful talent, just stay the way you are!
    Love the cookies, and they are so pretty, and yummy!...now could you pass me a goodie bag?

    BTW- was it a grilled swiss cheese, and tomato sandwich you made? Yumm! I also have a panini bread maker, which was an amazing thrift find, for $9.99.

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  34. Spicie FoodieFebruary 20, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    You are so cute Gina :) The sugar cookies are making me want some so bad. Your party favors are right up my alley, can never go wrong with spices. It sounds like it's going to be a fabulous party. Hope you are having fun!

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  35. Ellie (Almost Bourdain)February 20, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Love hte pink heart! So vivid!

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  36. CatherineFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Dear Gina, I read your interview on Spicie Foodie. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview. Thank you for sharing. BTW the sugar cookies and the lunch look fabulous, one of my favorites too. Blessings, Catherine

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  37. whatsfordinneracrossstatelinesFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    Elisabeth, it was a mozzarella, tomato and pesto panini! Great score on the panini maker!

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  38. CharlieMay 16, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Martha is soo overrated.

    And she has a huge staff where all the prep is done.

    I'm not impressed by her. (Sorry Martha Fans).

    Your cookies look awesome and I'm sure taste even better.

    Like you for yourself :~))

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