Sunday, May 4, 2014

speckled robin's egg sugar cookies . . .




I found these vibrant caramel candy robin eggs at our local Powell's Sweet Shoppe, and they were the inspiration behind these speckled robins egg sugar cookies.






I served them at our Easter brunch gathering a few weekends ago, along with a Lemon & Honey Tart and an old-fashioned buttermilk pie with fresh blackberries.

And although Easter has come and gone, I still think they would make a beautiful addition to any Spring tea or garden gathering.



 



speckled robins egg sugar cookies
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
12 Tablespoons (1 ½  sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 egg, room temperature
 powder sugar (instead of flour) for rolling out dough

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .    

Preparation
To make the cookies, in a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt . . . set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Mix until just combined.

Form the dough into a flattened ball, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or as long as overnight.

Preheat an oven to 350°F.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. 

On a lightly floured powder sugar surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart, and bake until just golden around the edges, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies. Transfer the pans to wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes, then remove the cookies from the pans and let cool completely.

Makes 12 to 18 cookies, depending on cutter size.






Sugar Cookie GLAZE
2 ¼  cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
1 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Combine ingredients and mix until smooth

The secret to a 'clean' sugar edge is not letting the glaze drip down the sides of the cookie.
A thick glaze is also key.
After the glaze has been mixed, add 1 Tablespoon of confectioners' sugar at a time, 
until you get the desired thick consistency.

How to decorate a robins egg . . . 
Using a small brush, randomly dab dots of glaze on the cookie.
Sprinkle brown sanding sugar or chocolate sprinkles on the wet glaze. Let sit for up to 2 minutes and shake off excess.
Using the small brush, 'paint' glaze on the cookie around the 'speckled' areas. 
Sprinkle the blue sanding sugar on the wet glaze. Let sit for up to 2 minutes and then shake off excess. 
See photo collage for pictorial.




Have fun!






LET'S STAY in touch!


painting by Karen Margulis



LET'S STAY in touch!




29 comments:

  1. They're so pretty! I'd eat those any time of year. The painting is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very creative and pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So perfect for spring Suzanne!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am sure they taste as good as they look!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our robin's egg cookies would be perfect for a themed ladies luncheon. I can only imagine at how much the guests would love them! The painting is beautiful too! I'm determined to have great artwork for our home. I added the art to my list. ;)

    ~ Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those are gorgeous and I love the bird painting. Your creations are always so beautiful. I'm sure your guests at the Easter brunch must have felt very special!

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are lovely cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  8. These cookies are just perfect for Spring, they look just like a little robin's egg! So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So lovely! And I bet they taste great to!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh These are so cute! I love these. I want to try one for sure. Thanks for linking up to Snickerdoodle Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, my goodness! These are the sweetest looking cookies! I love the vibrant color with the speckles! I'd be thrilled if you linked these up to my new Creative Ways Link Party. It just went live tonight and it won't be the same without you! Hope to see you there!
    Blessings,
    Nici

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by to link up these little cuties to the Creative Ways Link Party! Hope to see you again tonight!
      Blessings,
      Nici

      Delete
  12. They look great, and it seems pretty simple. Thanks for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cute cookies!! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Seriously? Stop it! You had me at the DIY Moss Wreath and now these cookies! Yummy! Thanks for linking up to the Be. YOU. tiful link party. When do you have time to sleep?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Pretty as ever, Suzanne! It's very colorful in your world! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh how cute! These cookies are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  17. These cookies are gorgeous! I love the colors. I am so glad I found them on Say G'Day Saturday! Linking up from http://handmedownmomgenes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. What an adorable idea.. the color is beautiful. PInning thanks for sharing on foodie friday.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Suzanne...you make the most delightful cookies. Love. Love. Love. these. I needed them for my bird's nest spring tablescape!! ;)

    Now...I have never been successful with making sugar cookies. Can you promise me that these will turn out beautifully? ;)

    Thanks so much for sharing your delicious creativity with us at Project Inspire{d}!

    ReplyDelete
  20. These are just amazing! I love them and really want to attempt them on my own. I know they won't look as fabulous as yours though! ;) Thanks for sharing!! Dawn @ 730 Moments

    ReplyDelete
  21. These are so fun and springy!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the color on these. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday

    ReplyDelete
  23. Perfect for spring! Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  24. The perfect shade of blue! Both the eggs and the cookies. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your cookies look marvelous! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  26. Pinning to our Party Board! ;)

    Thank you so much for sharing your creativity at our Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party! Join us again on Saturday to show off your latest projects!

    ~ Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous1:11 AM

    How pretty, they looks lovely. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I certainly wouldn't want to wait until next Easter to enjoy these! Love the sparkly colour, they are beautiful.
    Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday at Smart Party Planning . Would love to see you again next week :-)

    ReplyDelete