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The Bible is the place I go to for strength, encouragement and wisdom. It's never-changing, despite the shifting sands of an uncertain, ever-vacillating world. Never failing to give me proper perspective on life and hope for the future, it's stood the test of time and is as true today as it was a thousand years ago.
There's one verse that, though the Bible certainly needs no embellishment from me, I'd love to revise just a bit; it's found in Psalm 127, verse five. It speaks about children and it goes like this; "Blessed (happy) is the man whose quiver is full of them." This is my revision, not exactly Biblical, but certainly true for us; "Blessed (happy) is the man (and the grandparents) whose quiver is full of them".
Those of you who are regular visitors at The Café know that our quiver is quite full with three sweet little girls and a recently added new grandson. I can't begin to tell you how very blessed and very happy we are with these precious little ones.
But guess what? (drum roll please!) .... The Café's "quiver" is about to get fuller! I've been waiting for 2013 to roll out to make this fun announcement. Our son, Nick and daughter-in-law, Lindsay are expecting their first child in March. We're thrilled about this new addition to our family. They've been busy as little bees getting the room ready. Lindsay and I will be making the drapes sometime this next week. It's all very exciting and we're counting down the days.
The cool part is that Nick and Lindsay live only a few miles from us. We're so happy with the thought of being able to see this little girl (yes it's a girl!) grow up right before our eyes. Our other grandchildren live in London and, though we get to see them quite regularly, we miss them like crazy in between visits.
And we do, most definitely, know what to do with little girls here at The Café! We've got a huge trunk full of princess, ballet, and every other type of girlie dress up clothes. There's lots of jewelry, baubles, bangles, fancy hats and high heeled shoes. We've got Disney-princess bikes, games, puzzles and coloring cooks. The girls have a wonderful time playing with our dolls, strollers, baby beds and tea party sets.
Oh, and if you take a peek in my baking cupboard? Well, you'll see every type of sprinkle, jimmy, confetti, sanding sugar, nonpareils, and food coloring, all in varying shades of pink, pink, pink .............. and more pink. Do you see what I mean? We really do know what to do with girls!
I pulled out an old classic recipe for this announcement and gave it a new twist. A friend of mine, many years ago, brought a plate of these Melt Aways w/ Brown Butter Icing to a gathering of friends. They were small with an off-white icing spooned over the top. Honestly, they weren't anything you'd take a second look at. But, oh my... when I took a bite, I was simply blown away. They're crisp, buttery and the most melt-in-your-mouth treat I've ever had. I begged her for the recipe, she obliged and it's been a treasure here in our home ever since.
I had some new fun with the Melt Aways this time. I made my own version of the brown butter icing, added a bit of gel food-coloring and loaded it into a pastry bag with a Wilton 2D tip, also known as a "rose" or "drop flower" tip. I held the tip perpendicular to the cookie and, starting in the center, simply piped a swirl to the outer edges. It does come out looking like a rose, don't you think? A bit of my pink decorating "loot" was showered over the tops for a fun effect.
Don't skip the brown butter; it adds a delicious flavor to the icing you won't want to miss. I brown my butter in the microwave, a super-easy way to do it, without making a huge mess on the stovetop.
If you want a delicious everyday or after-school treat, these cookies are fabulous on their own or with just a simple smear of frosting atop. But, if you're having a party or celebration, want to impress your boss, want to take a lovely gift to a new neighbor, or maybe just say I LOVE YOU to someone ............... these rose-swirl topped cookies will be the perfect, festive and fun touch. Oh, and if there's a new baby girl on the horizon, these are a spectacular way to say "welcome to the world, sweet one"!
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoon milk - you might need a bit more
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Place butter in a microwave-safe, medium size bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in microwave and cook on high power for around 4-5 minutes, depending on the microwave. Watch carefully after three minutes; every microwave is a little different. Once the butter begins to turn golden brown, remove from microwave. It will continue to cook a bit more as it sits.
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Add powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of the milk along with the vanilla and almond extracts. Start slowly beating. Once powdered sugar is fully incorporated, increase speed on mixer to medium high and beat for about 3-4 minutes. If is too thick, add a bit more milk and beat for another 30 seconds. (You want icing to easily flow from a decorator tip without being runny). Add food coloring as desired. Start with a tiny amount, especially if using gel-type food coloring. You can always go darker, but once you've added too much food coloring, it's impossible to go back!
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Fit a decorating (pastry) bag, or a heavy-duty ziplock bag with one corner snipped off, with a large drop flower tip (if using Wilton, it's their 2D tip).
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Starting at the center of a cookie, with tip perpendicular to the cookies, begin piping. Continue to pipe in an outward swirl until icing covers most of the cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies. (See tutorial here.)
- 1 cup butter softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup corn starch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- sugar for rolling
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Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line two sheet pans with parchment baking paper.
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Beat butter until very light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
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Add powdered sugar and cornstarch and beat until well-incorporated, about 1 minute.
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Add vanilla and almond extracts, flour and and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined.
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Using a small cookie scoop, make equal size scoops of dough. Roll each scoop into a ball and roll in sugar. Place on prepared sheet pans and flatten with the bottom of a glass*. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and place on a cooking rack.
If your cookies crack a bit on the sides when you flatten them, just add a few drops of water to your dough or very lightly wet your hands before rolling. When you flatten, do it slowly, this will help to keep the dough from cracking also.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
How exciting!! Congrats to your family. What a perfect way to make an announcement!
motherrimmy says
Congratulations! What a lovely family, and now to have a grandson. So much fun! Your cookies are absolutely gorgeous too. 🙂
Kathy says
Congratulations!! Such wonderfully happy news!! Your cookies look incredibly beautiful!!
Abby Raines says
Dear Chris! So happy for you! How wonderful! Children are a heritage from the Lord, indeed! What a great way to welcome 2013! And those cookies are fabulous and I am at a lost for words on that beautiful icing. Love your food photography - always amazing!
Esther@thefussfreechef says
Congratulations Chris! Such happy news 🙂 The melt always are gorgeous, you make so much effort to style the food and take these beautiful photos - thanks!!
Kitchen Riffs says
Congrats on the big news! You must be very excited, and happy. And the cookies you're sharing with us are so perfect for such a celebration!
Magic of Spice says
Congratulations Chris, what wonderful news! And such beautiful cookies to celebrate with 🙂
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Congratulations Chris and Nic and Lindsay! What wonderful news. I can't wait to hear of her safe arrival.
What a lucky little girl she will be to have such a wonderful grandma. These cookies are just adorable. I haven't baked for weeks and you've given me instant cravings to jump straight into the kitchen.
Happy New Year! xx
Mercedes says
These are just gorgeous and I can think of so many occasions that they would be perfect for!
Jen Laceda | Tartine and Apron Strings says
Chris, congratulations indeed! What great news! And this time, they live close to you - it's gravy on the biscuit! And what a proper announcement recipe you have here! Wish WE lived close to you so I can drop in for some tea and (very pink) cookies.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Congrats! That is such amazing news! And these cookies - GORGEOUS! I definitely have to make these for my little niece!
Gloria says
Congrats dear and these look absolutely beauty!
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
Congratulations!!! Love these cookies and such a perfect little treat. The photo of the two little gals is precious!
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Chris, drum roll for you! Congratulations! What a great surprise! I can only imagine how happy you are! 🙂
Sofia Clara says
This looks, sounds and probably tastes like any little girl's idea of heaven!
Jean | Lemons & Anchovies says
How exciting to be expecting another grandchild, congrats! I have four nieces and two nephews and it's always so fun when I'm around them. I bet they love all the beautiful sweets you make for them.
I so, so agree with your first paragraph. 🙂
Jean | Lemons & Anchovies says
How exciting to be expecting another grandchild, congrats! I have four nieces and two nephews and it's always so fun when I'm around them. I bet they love all the beautiful sweets you make for them.
I so, so agree with your first paragraph. 🙂
Sireesha Puppala says
Omg...this .such a stunning post...first time to ur space..am completely happy...discovered another wonderful blog....
Cheers
Siri
http://Www.sirisfood.com
Amelia says
Hi Chris, congratulation to you. I'm in love with your cookies. Very delectable and pretty. Your piping skill is excellent.
Love the teapot and teacup, so pretty and cute.
Have a nice weekend.
Gosia says
these cookies are so cute, I love them 🙂
www.you-made-that.com says
Congrats to your family that's wonderful news! How fun, I want to be that kind of grandma to my grand kids some day. The cookies ate adorable. Pink is my favorite color too it's just so pretty.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Congratulations Chris! You really know how to celebrate and I love teh beautiful rose icing cookies! I wish my parents are near so my kids can spend more time with them too. You must be very excited. I'm so happy for your new forthcoming granddaughter. Congrats again!
lena says
congratulations! i can see how exciting you are, how nice to be able to stay near your son..hmm..i guess you will be much more busier by then:) Your melting moments are so pretty and i like all your pink stuffs, especially the teapot!
Lizzy Do says
Such wonderful news, Chris! Another sweet grandbaby!!! Your cookies are gorgeous and PERFECT to celebrate the sweet little girl to come...congrats to you all!
Sue/the view from great island says
Ooooh, I'm late to the party! Congratulations to you!!! I came from a family of all girls, and I had only girls myself. Girls rule! How wonderful that your son lives so close! And your pink frosting is absolutely stunning.