Rule, Britannia!

It's been awhile since I've had time for much cookie baking, but all this Diamond Jubilee fervor was just the excuse I was looking for to get stuck in again.  I've been a bit of a media hound lately, devouring just about anything I can find about the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations on the television, and I thought it would be fun to put my creative juices to work and make something sweet to help spread the Jubilee love.  

The British have pomp and circumstance down to an art form, and we here in the States are suckers for it. Never mind that just a few hundred years ago we were bitter enemies, waging battle against the tyranny and rule of an unjust monarch. Time and circumstance has changed what then drove us apart and now we see a common ally and a Monarch that represents strength and resilience in the face of a much different and more dangerous world. Whatever your feelings are about The Monarchy, one thing is certain you must admire Queen Elizabeth for her steadfast duty and leadership, 60 years of steadfast duty and leadership. And truly to be alive to witness such an event during this time is really an extraordinary thing.   Stepping, off, soapbox, now.

I was inspired to make these cookies by the amazing Peggy Porschen, whose blog and Facebook page I follow religiously.  After recently seeing some cakes and cookies she posted on her page, I thought I would attempt to make some as well. Never mind I didn't have the cutters needed to take on such a task. What does one do when when wants to make cookies without a cutter?  Make ones own! Or in this case a template rather.  

It's relatively simple to do, albeit a little time consuming.  I start by tracing the shape from an image (usually off the computer) onto parchment paper.  Once traced I rummage through my cupboards looking for discarded plastic container tops.  The thinner and cheaper ones work the best. I then use a thin tip Sharpie pen to trace the image onto the plastic, then cut it out and voila! This is what you get.

Washable, reusable templates ready for cookie making.  Once the dough is made, I simply lay the template on top of the dough and cut it out using a small craft knife.  This method is much cheaper than ordering cutters online and gives the instant gratification I need when I get bit by the cookie making bug.

The recipe for the cookie dough and icing is the same one I use time and again and can be found here,
http://pinkpatisserie.blogspot.com/2011/12/cookie-crazy-and-busy-and-tired-and.html

The technique I used for the flowers on the teacup and teapot is called brush embroidery, and it was the first time I attempted it.  Thus the less than perfect look. Later I'll show a tutorial of the method. One thing did become quite evident. My piping skills are in serious need of more practice.  Once I have a bit more time (ahem) I tend to remedy that situation. For now however, I have some more Jubilee television to watch...