Autumn | Baked Goods | Cookies | Holiday | Thanksgiving

It’s High Time for Pie Time

By on 20 November, 2019

Gobble Gobble! I am amazed that Turkey-Time is upon us. This year, I tried to practice daily thankfulness moments. I have an adorable Turkey-on-the-Table (which benefits Feed More) where I add a feather and something I’m thankful for daily. It may seem a little silly, but in my extremely formal office, I really enjoy adding a little decoration for the season.

Naked Turkey before his thankful feathers were added

In my opinion, the most iconic Thanksgiving dessert is clearly Pumpkin Pie. It’s autumnal and comforting. I was asked to make an order of decorated cookies for our office Thanksgiving luncheon and decided to turn the iconic dessert into a sugar cookie!

I love perusing Pinterest for ideas and inspiration, but I ended up taking my own spin on the Mini Cookie Pies. I love the simplicity of the sugar cookie with one later of frosting and the crimpled crust versus piping on a faux crust. I happened to have a hand pie cutter with a plunger that was the perfect tool for the job!

Cut and Stamped “Crust”

I’m a little bit of a perfectionist, so I searched and searched for something to help me evenly divide my pie into 6 slices with minimal effort. As luck has it, my strainers are PERFECT!!!!

Once the crust was marked, I could easily slice through it with my rotary cutter, aka a pizza cutter). My slices aren’t all 100% perfect, but as long as I keep each pie together, the pies fit and look 100% adorable.

Baked Cookie Crusts

It’s crucial to chill the dough if it has been stamped. It helps the cookies retain their impressions. I tried to take a shortcut as the evening progressed, and it didn’t turn out favorably. (As a bonus, it meant I had some cookies for tasting!)

I added a quick layer of frosting and let the crimpled crust show through. Before the frosting set, I added a quick sprinkle of Nutmeg. You could just as easily use a pumpkin pie spice mix (Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, and Allspice) or any of the other spices individually. I personally favor Nutmeg, and I like the thicker grain of it (I grate whole Nutmeg at home).

I spent some time thinking of cute simple sayings to add to my pies (and a bonus cookie) as I stumbled through my designs in my Silhouette Library; I found the most adorable Owl dressed as a Pilgrim.

Royal Icing Transfers

*Side Story, my Great Gram LOVED birds. All Birds. She always kept a collection of bird feeders filled outside our kitchen windows so she could watch the birds and yell at the squirrels. On one occasion, she was given an owl, and of course, loved and appreciated it, but it started a trend of people gifting her things with owls. (Pro Tip: Unless you want to be gifted with ALL the animal things… pick an obscure animal, like an Ocelot). I grew up with owls (and elephants) all over the house, so it warms my heart to see owls. 

I wanted simple phrases that could also be added to the pie slices letter-by-letter. (6 slices, 6 letter words) “Gather” and “Gobble”. I’m also a lady who likes her options, so I’m still noodling on additional ideas.

I was glad this order was so successful on my first attempt on making these adorable little treats. It was my first attempt at layering royal icing transfers, and I confirmed my thought that I needed to chill my dough. My shortcut of pressing and baking resulted in plain triangle cookies. (Or as I like to call them, delicious mistakes).

I couldn’t wait to try out my hexagon cutter ahead of a December order! I think it turned out precious!

All the cookies pies are boxed and ready for delivery. I can’t wait to share!

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Cocktails

Escape from Mundane Drinks: Light Your Fire with a Feuerzangenbowle

By on 17 December, 2018

Almost every village in Germany has its own Christkindlemarkt or as American’s would say a Christmas Market. There are treats to delight, from one to ninety-two! There is kinderpunsch (a warm child-friendly Christmas Punch), Glühwein (hot mulled wine), a large assortment of food and gingerbread, beautiful crafts, and an abundance of toys.

When I was out shopping, several years ago, I found this beautiful feuerzangenbowle. I didn’t really know how Glühwein was made, so I figured it was how you make it. I was mistaken but happily surprised. A feuerzangenbowle (Fire Tongs Punch) is a traditional German alcoholic beverage where a rum-soaked sugarloaf is lit on fire. The Fire melts and caramelizes the sugar and it drips into mulled wine. The sugarloaf, Zuckerrhut (sugar hat) is a cone of sugar that you can make at home if you cannot find one.

Feuerzangenbowle

2Oranges (unwaxed)
2Lemons (unwaxed)
2 BottlesRed Wine* (2 Liters)
1Cinnamon Stick
5Cloves
1 DashGround Ginger
1 DashGround Cardamom
1Sugar Cone
2 CupsBrown Rum (at least 54% alcohol)

Wash Citrus fruit, Pat it dry and slice into rounds. You can substitute the Lemons for an additional Orange.

In a large pot combine the red wine, Citrus, and whole spices. Slowly heat the wine, but don’t let it boil.

Remove the Pot from  the stove and pour into your bowl. (The bowl should be able to be heated, like a fondue pot). Add ginger and Cardamom.

Place the sugar cone about 1″ above the surface. You can use special fire tongs, like I have, or you can use a wire netting to place the cone over.

Next comes the fun! Soak your sugar with rum and light the alcohol on fire. The sugar will melt and drip into the wine. Carefully add more rum in small quantities to keep the fire going until the sugar cone is spent. (I highly recommend using a metal ladle).

Tips:

Use a hearty dry red wine.

It is important that the rum is over 54% alcohol. To be safe, I always uses 151. It also burns better if the rum is room temperature.

To make a sugar cone you need 2 ingredients (granulated sugar & Water) and a cone shaped pilsner glass. Mix sugar with just a little water like a nice packing sand for sand castles. Add to your glass and tamp it down. Rough up the top of the surface with a fork between adding layers to ensure there aren’t seams that will break when you remove it from the glass.

Turn the glass over and pop out the sugar cone. If it breaks start over. If it doesn’t break, let it sit out and dry. It will solidify and you will be able to pick it up in one piece!

SAFETY: Be VERY cautious. You are handling alcohol and fire. Take the necessary precautions.

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