Here are the ideas I talked about on the NBC 10 Show today, May 21. I love to make things myself because you are not limited to what is in stock on shelves at a store and you can customize and change ideas! There is no limit to creativity!
Follow me at Pinterest for some more great ideas!
“SMART COOKIE” Shortbread TEA COOKIES
I found this idea from the following french pinner… They were basic tea cookies and I thought of the idea to customize the tea label for graduation. You can also make these for baby showers with labels that say “A BABY IS BREWING” or for a wedding shower! How cute would that be???
The recipe is in French, so here’s the translated version. Although I’m a very good cook, I’m a so-so baker. I was able to make these and you should too! The original recipe uses lemon but I didn’t make them with lemon.
- 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened (e)
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- A pinch of salt
- 2 1/3 cup flour
- thick white thread embroidery cotton type
- labels
- chocolate melt to dip the cookies in
In a large bowl, add the softened butter cut into pieces and work until mixture resembles ointment. Add the icing sugar and mix vigorously with a wooden spoon until it becomes creamy and smooth.
Add the egg yolk and mix thoroughly until everything is well incorporated
Sift the flour and salt and gradually incorporate just enough to form a paste with no trace of flour.
Form a ball with the dough, coarsely crush in disk and wrap with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge to firm up for a minimum of a half hour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with with parchment paper.
Lightly flour the work surface. Spread the dough to a thickness of about 5 mm.
Using a template (a tea bag shape reproduced on cardboard), cut out biscuits and place them on the cookie sheet about an inch apart from each other
image: sandrakavital.blogspot.com
With the tip of a small straw, make a hole about 1 cm from the top of the cookie.
If possible, refrigerate the cookies on the baking sheet for twenty minutes: it will allow them not to spread and retain their shape.
Bake (center position) and bake the cookies about 15 to 18 minutes: the cookies should remain quite pale with gold trim (the bottom should be light brown). Let cool 5 minutes then using a spatula pour the biscuits on a wire rack and leave until completely cooled.
Assemble the cotton thread and label on each cookie. I used a scrapbooking label press to make my labels and my printer.
Melt chocolate and Dip the cookies halfway up and place on a sheet of parchment paper. Allow to dry.
GRADUATION PARTY CAPS
Here’s another great diy idea that I found on Pinterest! Click on this link for the step by step instructions.
KEEP FLIES OUT OF DRINKS
This idea is ingenious – you can find it here
Simply place a baking cup over your glass to keep flies and other insects out of your drinks! You can use customized baking cups for whatever occasion you are celebrating! I used patriotic baking cups, perfect for a Memorial Day or 4th of July Barbecue!
PATRIOTIC TOPIARY
Another fun one… you can customize this topiary for a baby shower. How cute would that be with pink or blue ribbons?
You can find the step by step instructions here.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day!