Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Sometimes "Mom" Knows When To Take A Shortcut!


     I love to cook. I've been reading cookbooks as long as I can remember and I have folders of recipes collected over the years. I'm one of those people who has a hard time eating fast food or anything that comes from a box. I want homemade. Baking is something that I actually do pretty well. Sugar cookies have been showing up in my house for decades. My cookie cutter collection contains something for every holiday. I have recipes that include sour cream, cream of tarter and almond extract. They all taste fine. They require some prep work, chilling and repeated rolling. A few years ago, I found a secret weapon.


     Yes folks, I use a mix for my sugar cookies these days. It is easier, requires no chilling and in all honesty...they taste better than any of my other recipes. The best part is...no one knows. Well, they do now-but, only if they read the blog! Just follow the directions on the package for rolled cookies, grab your rolling pin and cut out the shapes. I make a glaze (recipe below) and spread it on the cookies and top with various sugars or sprinkles. Worth it! Enjoy.

Sugar Cookie Glaze

1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
food coloring
 
Stir confectioners' sugar, corn syrup and water together. Add food coloring a drop at a time until you get the color you want. Spread on cooled cookies...top with sugar or sprinkles before drying. Allow to dry before storing.

22 comments:

J Rodney said...

Sometimes taking a short cut really does make things easier. I love to bake from scratch, but my "homemade" rye bread I import from Europe in a bag:)

The Charm of Home said...

Pretty cookies. I am glad to see you took the time to make them. I get good results with mixes, so nice and easy.

dee dee said...

Sue,
Madison loves sugar cookies! I have made glaze with conf sugar, water and food coloring only. I will have to try it with the added corn syrup next time! Thanks for the tip!
Dee Dee

Unknown said...

I am with you Sue all the way. I love to cook, and BELIEVE homemade is the way! WISH I could have a cookie but I can't, they look yummy and pretty. Jgg

P.S. short cuts sometimes turn out to be the best!

Angie said...

I tried my hand at sugar cookies this holiday season, and I can honestly say that it was much more of a chore than I ever imagined! I'm totally with you on using the packaged option.

Life Laugh Latte said...

Love any shortcuts I can find. Particularly those quick fixes in the cupboard on a night I really need them. Thanks for the heads up. I once used a mix like this and the little boy I fed them to said, "Gosh these are SOOO much better than my mom's cookies." Yeah...his mom made the from scratch stuff. I never told her:)

Unknown said...

I have some sugar cookies to make for Sunday, sadly I can't find any packet mixes here, such a good idea! Have a sweet day!

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Those are sweet, SUGAR SWEET! Lovely pics!
Happy thoughts!
Saskia

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Thanks for the tip Sue! I have never tried the mix like that but I sure will now! We had more snow and cold yesterday, at least we can share in our misery! Hugs, Cindy

Shellbelle said...

Thank you! I can't tell you how many times I cut these out of baking, because they can be quite time-consuming. Now that I have an excellent secret shortcut, I can put them back in.

That plate is perfect for heart cookies!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Good for you! Thanks for sharing this secret -- I'm going to try this -- and thanks for your recent sweet visit too.

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

I have to agree! Betty's got this one covered;) I've tried many sugar cookie recipes, but they're not nearly as good as this mix!

Kathleen said...

They look pretty!
And your bleu cheese dressing looks delicious too!

Rettabug said...

Seeing your post has reminded me that I bought a ruffled edge heart shaped cookie cutter & have never used it! This is the perfect time to get it out to try.
Thanks for the idea & for stopping by with your sweet comments on our Anniversary. :-)

fondly,
Rett

Tammy@InStitches said...

Yum, those look good. I love your new page, it's pretty !

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Love sugar cookies and this sounds like a great plan for perfection every single time!!!

Charlotte said...

Nothing wrong with taking a shortcut every now and then. If you can make a nice setting and decorate to make them look like your own, no one would ever know the difference.

Such a beautiful design on your site--I love it :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Those looks WONDERFUL!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Lexie said...

i'll take a tin of those delights please! ;)

Patty Benedict said...

Yummy!!! I will have to try the PKG mix. I also have a lot of cookie cutters...mostly Halloween, BUT I do have some big LIPS I might try this weekend.
GREAT posting!!
Bugs & Hisses
Patty

Gypsy Heart said...

Do you need my mailing address? ;-) They are beautiful and I love the plate they're sitting on. I agree re: the mix. I have a great recipe for sugar cookies but all the mixing, chilling, rolling, etc. is so time consuming and we haven't even gotten to the decorating. I've collected cookie cutters for a long time ~ I bet we'd have fun comparing, don't you?

xoxo
Pat

Sue said...

Me, use a mix? No one would believe it but that's why it would be so perfect. I'm going to take your advise and try it. They look great! I could use one right now. Will we live to see the technology that would let me reach in and take one.