***Disney Design Addict's Chit Chat,Designs and Pixie Dust! Everybody WELCOME!*** Part 5

[itslisa]

Yeah, they're pretty bland without frosting and sugar!

Practice makes perfect! You could make Valentine's Day hearts.

Amy

OK .... so tell us your secrets!!!! I do cut cookies every year and they're just "ok". I was hoping to skip it this year, but Ben said that Santa ONLY wanted cut cookies. Neither Oreos not chocolate cip cookies would cut it. In an effort to save time, I bought some "tube dough" from the suprmarket and rolled tha out. Man they were GOOD!

So .... what's your big secret? Any sggestions for Valentine's Day? I have a lovely cookie cutter.

 

[KMH1]

OK .... so tell us your secrets!!!!

The only thing that I can think of is I refrigerate the dough overnight in gallon sized ziplock bags, so the dough is not in a big clump. The less rolling the better. I keep the dough in the refrigerator and I break off small pieces at a time. I also heavily flour my countertop and rolling pin, and if the dough gets too warm, I throw it in the freezer for a few minutes.

The frosting process is a two man process. I buy dry fondant (typically used for candy cream centers...looks like powdered sugar) from a local candy store and I turn it into a thick paste with a little hot water. I use a pastry brush to brush on the paste and Kevin immediately adds colored sugar before it dries. We let that set and sometimes I get ambitious and add some white frosting piping and red hots (like on my holly leaves).

These cookies are very tedious, but they're delicious. It takes me about an hour and a half to roll out and bake each batch. I cut out four batches this year. The frosting process took a couple hours. Kevin is such a great sport, but I think he's looking forward to the day Alyssa is old enough to be my helper.

Amy

 

[KMH1]

Thank you to everyone who complimented our pictures. I don't feel like I'm glowing, but it's nice to hear from other people.

Amy

 

[itslisa]

The only thing that I can think of is I refrigerate the dough overnight in gallon sized ziplock bags, so the dough is not in a big clump. The less rolling the better. I keep the dough in the refrigerator and I break off small pieces at a time. I also heavily flour my countertop and rolling pin, and if the dough gets too warm, I throw it in the freezer for a few minutes.

Yup - gotcha there. I thought using too much flour would make them tough though? Do you think the extra rolling is worse than lots of flour? When I did the 2 tubes, I split them each in half and threw them in bowls. I did the same as you - rotated them in and out of the freezer to keepl them chilled.

The frosting process is a two man process. I buy dry fondant (typically used for candy cream centers...looks like powdered sugar) from a local candy store and I turn it into a thick paste with a little hot water. I use a pastry brush to brush on the paste and Kevin immediately adds colored sugar before it dries. We let that set and sometimes I get ambitious and add some white frosting piping and red hots (like on my holly leaves).

I've never used fondant before. Sounds interesting. I've heard of people using royal icing, but from what I've seen that sucks the moisture out of the cookie. I wonder where I could buy the dry fondant. Sort of rural here ......

These cookies are very tedious, but they're delicious. It takes me about an hour and a half to roll out and bake each batch. I cut out four batches this year. The frosting process took a couple hours. Kevin is such a great sport, but I think he's looking forward to the day Alyssa is old enough to be my helper.

Ben LOVES to help make cookies - every part of it! But, he's not in it for the long haul! LOL I have TRIED to get a cookie exchange together for the holidays, but the few times I've tried, it just sort of sucked.

 

[itslisa]

OK ... can I just say that I can't get my own back door for PhotoPass to work! LOL I'm on my new laptop ... I'm going to have to try on the old desktop. (where it all worked last time!)

 

[KMH1]

Yup - gotcha there. I thought using too much flour would make them tough though? Do you think the extra rolling is worse than lots of flour? When I did the 2 tubes, I split them each in half and threw them in bowls. I did the same as you - rotated them in and out of the freezer to keepl them chilled.

I've never used fondant before. Sounds interesting. I've heard of people using royal icing, but from what I've seen that sucks the moisture out of the cookie. I wonder where I could buy the dry fondant. Sort of rural here ......

Yes, extra flour can toughen cookies a bit, so I try not to go overboard. The stickiness just drives me crazy though, and my sanity is more important.

I just discovered the candy store I shop at has an online site too. http://www.sugarcraft.com/

Their dry fondant and colored sugar is very reasonably priced.

Amy

 

[rosiejo]

OK ... can I just say that I can't get my own back door for PhotoPass to work! LOL I'm on my new laptop ... I'm going to have to try on the old desktop. (where it all worked last time!)

Oh no! I have a pretty new laptop - bought in September - and it worked fine on there...

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Amy--the more i look at those cookies- i want one

i wish i had patience to make them-they look so good--feel like coming to NJ with some cookies?!?!

 

[rosiejo]

The only thing that I can think of is I refrigerate the dough overnight in gallon sized ziplock bags, so the dough is not in a big clump. The less rolling the better. I keep the dough in the refrigerator and I break off small pieces at a time. I also heavily flour my countertop and rolling pin, and if the dough gets too warm, I throw it in the freezer for a few minutes.

The frosting process is a two man process. I buy dry fondant (typically used for candy cream centers...looks like powdered sugar) from a local candy store and I turn it into a thick paste with a little hot water. I use a pastry brush to brush on the paste and Kevin immediately adds colored sugar before it dries. We let that set and sometimes I get ambitious and add some white frosting piping and red hots (like on my holly leaves).

These cookies are very tedious, but they're delicious. It takes me about an hour and a half to roll out and bake each batch. I cut out four batches this year. The frosting process took a couple hours. Kevin is such a great sport, but I think he's looking forward to the day Alyssa is old enough to be my helper.

Amy

Ok I'm making notes here... not sure I'll have the patience for four batches though!!

 

[tink2020]

I've got a SIL that would be in contention and we haven't spoken to her in over 13 years.

Deb

Well, I haven't known mine that long so maybe you could compete She was not invited to the wedding for a while though, and not much has improved!

 

[tink2020]

Yes, extra flour can toughen cookies a bit, so I try not to go overboard. The stickiness just drives me crazy though, and my sanity is more important.

I just discovered the candy store I shop at has an online site too. http://www.sugarcraft.com/

Their dry fondant and colored sugar is very reasonably priced.

Amy

Ahh, sugarcraft. Only pink building in town, that I can think of!

 

[tink2020]

Clare -- I'm so excited to read your trip report! I can't imagine beign there for 3 weeks.... I'm insanely jealous I wouldn't want to write that long of a report though..... but I can't wait to READ the rest of it! Thanks for taking the time to share it!

 

[Glynis]

Here's a tip for all you cookie rollers out there. Instead of using flour on your rolling pin and your counter, try using powdered sugar. It doesn't toughen the dough and still keeps the stickiness at bay.

Also, for those of you who don't want to spend the time frosting and sugaring, try sprinkling your cookies with powdered jell-o before they bake. The flavor bakes into the cookies and they turn out really yummy.

 

[tink2020]

Ok, well I thought I'd post a brief Christmas synopsis since I haven't yet. Kyle did quite well with gift-giving. He generally STINKS throughout the year (birthdays, etc) but he does all right at Christmas. Maybe because he knows it's coming and has more time to prepare? Who knows. He also doesn't think birthdays are a big deal. Anyway... I can't complain. I got a beautiful pink robe (which is pretty funny, since robes and pink didn't go over well in other homes..... but I'm with you. It would be silly to have bought an orange robe for me or something -- you've got to know your recipient ), a sweater, a couple of other useful things, and Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix. That's right, I'm 22. You'd never tell though. My parents were on the same page, and bought me games, lots of Disney stuff, etc.

Might i add, I've got a few converts. As we were opening presents at my parents house, my grandmother noted "Can anyone tell this is a Disney family?". It was a first, because that's always a comment directed only at me, but I looked around.... and saw Disney ornaments, picture frames, shirts, etc all over the place. Score!

The Disney PhotoMovie was a hit. It came in the mail on Christmas Eve (while I was out of town), so we all watched it together for the first time. They are kind of pricey, but well worth it in my opinion. I had made a slide show (with music, etc) with a movie software.... but it's just not the same quality as theirs, with video backgrounds, etc. I was quite impressed.

The few days at the inlaws started out well, but - as I mentioned before - I can only take about 48 hours there. I did get to go out for an hour or two with a few of Kyle's friends, and even one of mine from school. That was definitely the highlight, but I was more than ready to come home.

Nothing too spectacular to speak of. I enjoyed Christmas day with my family, but I was really in a funk from about Wednesday on I haven't quite returned to normal, but I have to limit my "meltdowns" so I can get some work done.

Have a great afternoon DDAs! I'll be doing some work around here, then Kyle and I are going out to dinner. Gotta love getting giftcards for "dates" because everyone knows we don't have time to plan it for ourselves!

 

[Glynis]

Fondues? YUM! Hit me!

Sure. I was going to PM them to you, but figured I would just post them here for all to share or ignore whichever you want to do.

My family loves to have fondue parties. We have done hot oil fondue. This is my least favorite as someone has to watch the oil all the time. Fill a saucepan with about 5-6 inches of oil and let it heat up, but not boil. Then use your favorite appetizers; jalapeno poppers, breaded shrimp and clam strips, popcorn chicken, etc. Skewer them and let them cook until golden. You can also fry raw beef or chicken, but I would suggest a separate saucepan of oil for the raw meat.

Here are some of our favorite recipes:

Cheese Fondue

1 1/2 C. White grape juice
2 lbs. Velveeta, cubed
3/4 C. green onion cheese
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 C. butter

Place grape juice in crockpot and bring to a boil (or get it really hot). Add cheeses and stir occasionally until melted. Add sour cream and butter. Cook, stirring occasionally until smooth. Transfer to a fondue pot and keep warm.

Serve with cubed French bread, steamed broccoli or cauliflower and boiled new potatoes.

If you can't find green onion cheese, you can use Monterey Jack and chop 3-4 green onions into the mixture. For spicier you can use Pepper Jack cheese. This is so good my kids request it on their veggies.

Cheesy Pizza Fondue

1 jar meatless spaghetti sauce
2 C. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 C. shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried minced onion
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 unsliced loaf Italian bread, cubed

In a crock pot, combine the spaghetti sauce, cheeses, oregano, onion and garlic powder. Cook for 4-6 hours or until cheese is melting and sauce is hot. Serve with bread cubes or breaded Mozzarella sticks.

Butterscotch Fondue

1/2 C. butter or margarine, cubed
2 C. packed brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 C. light corn syrup
2 Tbs. water
1/4 C. English toffee bits
1 tsp. vanilla
Angel food cake cubes and fresh fruit

In a large sucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, corn syrup and water. Cook and tir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in toffee bits and vanilla. Transfer to a fondue pot or mini slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with cake and fruit.

Warm Strawberry Fondue

1 pkg. frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
1/4 C. half and half
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
Angel food cake cubes and fresh fruit

In a food processor or blender, combine the strawberries, cream, cornstarch and lemon juice; cover and process until smooth. Pour into a saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Transfer to a fondue pot or a mini slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with cake and fruit.

I hope you enjoy these recipes. I can't find my chocolate fondue recipe, but I know that we've used hot fudge sauce, slightly thinned out with heavy cream before and that was good.

Good luck with it. Fondue is Fun!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Here's a tip for all you cookie rollers out there. Instead of using flour on your rolling pin and your counter, try using powdered sugar. It doesn't toughen the dough and still keeps the stickiness at bay.

Also, for those of you who don't want to spend the time frosting and sugaring, try sprinkling your cookies with powdered jell-o before they bake. The flavor bakes into the cookies and they turn out really yummy.

Thanks for the tip, I will try this next time I make cut-outs.

 

[rosiejo]

Clare -- I'm so excited to read your trip report! I can't imagine beign there for 3 weeks.... I'm insanely jealous I wouldn't want to write that long of a report though..... but I can't wait to READ the rest of it! Thanks for taking the time to share it!

it's so long I don't want to write it!

I figured I should though - as it was our wedding trip after all and one day when I'm old and grey I'd like to remember it

Now when I'm slow getting it done I have everyone on the DIS to give me the much needed kick up the backside

 

[itslisa]

I just discovered the candy store I shop at has an online site too. http://www.sugarcraft.com/

Their dry fondant and colored sugar is very reasonably priced.

Cool. Thanks! I just read that they agree with me that royal icing sucks the moisture out of a cookie -- that's why I don't decorate cookies. I will definitely have to look into this!

I really need to look into Hanukkah cookie cutters! My Mom had some when we were little and we haven't been able to find them in YEARS!

 

[rosiejo]

The Disney PhotoMovie was a hit. It came in the mail on Christmas Eve (while I was out of town), so we all watched it together for the first time. They are kind of pricey, but well worth it in my opinion. I had made a slide show (with music, etc) with a movie software.... but it's just not the same quality as theirs, with video backgrounds, etc. I was quite impressed.

Jennifer - I keep forgetting to ask - what's a photomovie?

ETA: I just found the website - they look amazing! Which park did you have on yours?

 

[itslisa]

My family loves to have fondue parties. We have done hot oil fondue. This is my least favorite as someone has to watch the oil all the time.

Yeah - sounds fun but a PIA

Here are some of our favorite recipes:
Cheese Fondue
Cheesy Pizza Fondue

My DH is not going to touch butterscotch or strawberry .... I think DS might like butterscotch. I LOVE the idea of the pizza one!!! I wonder what else we could dip into it!!!!!