Monday, September 27, 2010

The Daring Bakers' September Challenge - Decorated Sugar Cookies


The September 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mandy of “What the Fruitcake?!” Mandy challenged everyone to make Decorated Sugar Cookies based on recipes from Peggy Porschen and The Joy of Baking. (Recipe Here.) Not only were we to decorate sugar cookies with royal icing, but the cookie shapes and decorations had to represent “September” to the baker.

Although Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta takes place beginning the first weekend in October, by September the skies are already dotted with balloons, especially early in the morning when I am driving to work. So “Hot Air Balloons” was a natural and fun theme for my cookies.

I wish I had had time to do a second try at these cookies before posting day (today), because I learned a lot about decorating with royal icing from this first attempt, and I know a second try would have been much better. For instance, when I did the outlining of the colored spaces, the consistency of the icing I used was too thick, making the lines too prominent. Maybe I’ll make some more before my grandkids come for the Balloon Fiesta!

16 comments:

Renata said...

Absolutely stunning balloons! Love the colors, so beautifully piped! Great job!

Heather said...

These are awesome - I'm with you they are time consuming and think practise is the key:)
http://apronaddict.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love these - they are so cheerful! My little girl would be so excited - they look like the balloons from Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon!

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Unusual theme, and very colourful balloons.Beautifully done.

Kelsey said...

They look yummy! Practice makes perfect you know :)

Linda Judd said...

I hear ya', Kelsey ;-)

Papa John said...

Ah! O-ooh! Awesome! Linda,you are an artist.

Christina said...

Love your cookies! Such a fun theme!

Anonymous said...

I agree with John. You are an artist AND a baker. What a fabulous combo!!

One of these days...I should say one of these years I would love to come and see all those balloons!! Looking forward to seeing your pics of some of it this year.

Love,

Gloria

Unknown said...

The balloons are wonderful! How intricate! Great work!

shaz said...

Such pretty balloons. They look perfect to me :) Love your mondegreen post too, I think I have chronic lyricosis too ;P

Renuka said...

so gorgeous, the colors are so bright and lovely. I love love love the balloons. Graet job !!! This is my first time on daring bakers and I am so glad I joined.

www.cuminandcardamom.blogspot.com

Sirius73 said...

Wow - really precisely decorated! Wish my hand was as steady as yours...

Anonymous said...

OK, you have amazing patience and a really steady hand. I stand in awe!

Nadia said...

great balloons

MandyM said...

Your hot air balloons are gorgeous! I love the colours and you did such a great job with outlining & flooding.

Really fantastic baking, thanks for taking part of the September challenge :)