Wednesday, March 23, 2011

What I Did Last Night and a Big Crash! Oh, Elliott!

Classroom at The Stock Pot
Last night I went to a cookie decorating class at The Stock Pot in Tulsa. They offer classes from time to time* and this is one I really wanted to take.

My place setting at the class
The instructor already had cookies pre-made for us to decorate but she did mix up a batch of sugar cookie dough and showed us her technique for rolling, cutting and baking the cookies. She generously gave us her recipe too - Yea! 

Cookies I decorated with buttercream icing
Part of the class was devoted to the preparation and application of 3 different types of icing for decorated cookies: buttercream icing, royal icing, and fondant. The instructor prepared the buttercream icing, showed us how to use both it and fondant on cookies, and gave us tips on  preparing the perfect royal icing. (She was going to mix up a batch of royal icing and show us how to apply it to cookies too but unfortunately the whisk attachment for the mixer she was using couldn't be located, nixing those plans.) 
I've decorated cakes for years with buttercream icing so I was pretty familiar with that method. What I really I wanted to know more about was the perfect consistency of royal icing for outlining and then "flooding" the cookies to get a smooth finish. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to do that after hearing our instructor's tips.

Plus, I found a website on the internet, UniversityofCookie.com,  with some video tutorials on cookie decorating.

Elliott's "accident"

After we got home last night I arranged my decorated cookies in the little bucket that I received at the class. I wanted the buttercream icing to have a chance to crust over before I put them in bags.

This morning I got up early, bagged the cookies up and put them back in the bucket. (You'll see the finished product at the bottom of this post.)

I was visiting some blogs as I was waited for the sun to come up (so I could take a picture of the cookie bouquet) when I heard a crash come from the kitchen. I could see the bucket - or what had been the bucket of cookies - from where I was sitting and Elliott's little tail ske-daddling off the counter. That little stinker!!!! He sure does have a sweet tooth but he didn't get any. I'm sure glad I'd already bagged those cookies up!

I said his name in a very stern manner and gave him that look. You know the look I'm talking about. 

I went to check out the damage and it wasn't too bad. I put the cookies back in the bucket again and went to look for the little culprit. He was hiding under our bed.  

Way back underneath our bed. As you can imagine I had to get down on my hands and knees to get these pictures.


He knows what he did.


So don't look too closely at the cookies or you'll see some smooshed icing.

I have plans to make some cookie dough today. Hopefully I'll find the time.

*If there's anyone in the Tulsa area who is interested in learning the fine art of making sushi, I noticed on the Stock Pot's list of upcoming classes that they have one scheduled for the first part of April. There's probably information about it on their website. I won't be there (not a fan of sushi) but thought I'd pass that along. Disclaimer: The Stock Pot has no idea I'm posting about the class last night or the fact that sushi class is scheduled. I'm just passing on the information.

31 comments:

  1. OH Cute! I can just imagine the Easter cookies Granny is going to be making soon!!!

    And as for mr. Elliott...well, I'll just say I think his scolding has been properly taken care of! Better start planning now for placement of those Easter cookies tho!

    Have a great day!

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  2. the cookies bravely survived the crash! They look colorful and yummy!

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  3. He won't even look you in the eye! Yes he knows he did a 'no-no'! Cute idea to make a bouquet of cookies!

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  4. Tulsa is a little too far to drive for a class. Wish they had something like that in Norman. Those are awesome cookies. I wonder if she is the lady that the Pioneer Woman had come and do cookies with on her website.

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  5. Oh Elliott... I've seen that look before on Gracie. AND I've found her hiding under the bed more times than I can remember...

    These cookies are beautiful and they look delicious. Good job!!!

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  6. You have a cookie monster dog--we've got a cookie monster cat! No cookie is safe from her! I can imagine you have the same issue with Elliot. Does he go after other sweets or just cookies?

    The cookie decorating class was a smashing hit! I'd love to take one of those in the future...I think cookies would be right up my alley. Yours are deliciously looking and I bet tasty!

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  7. What a nice bouquet of cookies!!! They are none the worse for wear. And it certainly wont hurt the taste. That little minx!!! I just love classes!!! When I retired I said now it is time to take the classes I want to take not ones for work, lol...

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  8. I took the 'Cooking w/ Julia' class last month & it was great.

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  9. Poor Elliot. Glad your cookies mostly survived, they sure are cute! That class sounds like a blast!

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  10. The cookies are darling! I can see why Elliott would be interested!

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  11. Well I give Elliott props for going after a good-looking cookie when he sees one! They are as cute as can be, and I know you will be making grand treats for all the G's.

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  12. Love the cookies in the pail. Those fuzzy children are somethin' aren't they. At least it wasn't a pot roast or turkey on the table.

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  13. Opppsss....
    poor baby-the cookies are absolutely gorgeous and you did a great job!
    I hope you do more :)

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  14. Bad Elliot!! I am interested to learn about decorating with royal icing without flooding the cookies too...

    That looks like a fun class. I took a cake decorating class a few years ago and really loved it!

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  15. What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing!

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  16. Oh doggie-oops! I love that arrangement! I have always wanted to take a class like this. I tend to decorate cookies like I am five-LOL!

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  17. Elliot was just trying to help!

    I took a cake decorating class back....30+ years ago. LOVE decorated cookies..maybe I need to get my stuff out.

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  18. Such a sweet puppy dog. Beautiful cookies!!!

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  19. How cute those cookies are in the bucket. That looks like fun.

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  20. Those cookies look too pretty to eat!
    Unfortunately, when we have pets we have to put things out of reach. And sometimes they get to them anyway. Determined little stinkers!

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  21. Hey! It actually let me post a comment!! YAY!!!

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  22. I don't think that the damage was great but your picture and story had me smiling and that is great.

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  23. That sounds like a fun thing to do. I love the last picture you shared.

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  24. Those cookies look fabulous! I've always wanted to take a cooking class. Instead I'm watching Paula Deen to get some new recipes and tips.

    As for your little guy....shame on him! Heheh...

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  25. Your cookies turned out soooo awesome!

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  26. Awe..poor Elliot just wanted a cookie. :-)

    Your cookies look great! I've always wanted to learn to decorate cookies and cakes. I'll check out the web site you posted.

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  27. Just popping in to say HI! The cookie decorating looks so fun BTW.

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  28. The cookies look amazing however I fear I would be wasting my time and energy if I were to attempt a cookie bouquet as my boys would have them munched within 10 minutes.

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  29. You did a great job. Sounds like a blast. Happy week ahead! Mollye

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  30. You are amazing! The cookies are beautiful.

    I had to laugh at Elliott. Reminds me of the time I walked into the kitchen and Ruby, all 80 pounds of her) was standing in the middle of the kitchen table. She looked at me as if to say, "What!?"

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