Diary of a Baker Mom: test tubes

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Cookies, As Party Favors?

Cookies and handmade treats have grown to become a familiar part of the "party favors" in goodie bags for a few years now. There's just something about a sweet treat that makes everyone happy on their way home. :)

A lot of friends whom I see regularly, know that in this "process of my life" is my ongoing affair with starting a personalized diaper cake and party favor company. :) When I get orders it's a humbling feeling and the creative juices flow through my brain. ;)

My latest was a Mad Science themed birthday party. Um... when I think Mad Science, I think beakers, flasks and test tubes! So, I hunted around to see what I could find in those shapes. Can you believe I actually found Science themed cookie cutters?! Amazing!

So, with the cutters ordered, I went on to thinking about decorating them. :) The mom of the birthday boy and I came up with the colors and the request that "bubbles" going up the flask was made. YEAH! I was super excited. :)

After much piping and flooding, here's the final product. :)

Beaker Cookies

Beaker Cookies All Wrapped Up!

At the Party....

Pic by CB

Now I know what to make for the Science Fair! ;)

As I wrote this up, it got me thinking back to when I first started out making cookies on a stick...Here's a look at the first ever "cookie bouquet" I made for a friend's baby shower. :)

My First Cookie Bouquet

Here's my latest, updated version...

Ducky Bouquet

Ducky Cookie :)

At a Baby Shower....

Pic. by YR

Happy Baking & Creating.... :)

Cooking with Kids

USING A KNIFE...
If you're looking for some thing to use as an introduction to teach proper knife skills, cutting and chopping with your child, I think Extra Firm Tofu (I use the one from Trader Joe's) works great! It is not too wet or jiggly to start and after a couple of power pushes (kids love that kinda stuff) on paper towels, it's just right. The knife goes though easily; without too much pressure they are able to learn the cutting movement and not be worried about the piece of food flying away.

Baking Tips

SOFT FUDGY BROWNIES - Remove the brownies from the oven approximately 4 minutes earlier than stated in the recipe. Allow them to cool in the pan before cutting. The remaining heat will be enough for them to finish baking.

NON-STICK PANS - Non stick pans are great and I use many of them for baking in various shapes and sizes. However, even though they are non-stick, for baking you have to be sure to coat them with spray or the "old time" method of butter and flouring. :) If you don't, chances are your cake is not going to make it out of your pan in one piece.

MUFFIN PANS - are an awesome invention! They are easiest to use when used with a liner (nowadays available in various sizes, shapes & colors). Liners provide a great convienience in that you can just pick up the muffin or cupcake and go. They do not require any pre-work, no messy spraying or coating with butter; drop in paper cup, spoon in the batter, bake and you have minimal clean up.