I didn’t take any orders over my busy work season. I knew that would put me over the edge. Last week was the first week I scheduled anything. I ended up with three different orders. Between working and baking, I couldn’t squeeze in blogging. I was happy with how everything turned out and it was nice to hear the hum of my KitchenAid again. I’m crossing my fingers that things slow down, so that I can get back to posting regularly.

Here’s what kept me busy last week…

I loved making these cupcake cookies for Luc’s birthday (pronounced Luke’s). The first birthday is such a huge milestone not just for the baby, but for the parents. It means you survived infancy ~ all of those sleepless nights, crying spells, diapers… you did it! This little guy was having a big celebration with over forty guests. Luc’s mom gave me free reign. She wasn’t doing a specific theme for the party and didn’t have specific colors or a shape in mind. FYI, if you’re going to give me free reign, know that there’s a strong possibility you’ll end up with polka dots. I have a polka dot fetish, and I know a few of you do too.

To get the polka dots on the cupcake liner flush with the background icing, you pipe the dots before the royal icing hardens. The raised sprinkles on top of the cupcake were made once the white royal icing had completely dried.

These onesie cookies were for a baby shower. I have to say I wasn’t a big fan of brown icing, until my mom planted a little idea in my head. She suggested I flavor the icing. I experimented a little and ended up adding a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the royal icing ingredients. I added a little more water, until I reached the right consistency. The icing had a nice chocolately flavor, but still hardened and flooded nicely. I’ll definitely be making chocolate royal icing again.

Midweek, my girlfriend and neighbor, Erika asked if I had time to do cookies for her daughter’s movie-themed party. I had left over dough and royal icing from the previous orders, so it was perfect timing. The kids went to see the movie Rango, so the birthday girl decided a lizard green movie ticket cookie was the perfect choice. I don’t have a movie ticket cutter, but these were pretty simple. I made a rectangle template out of cardstock and cut the cookies out with a sharp knife. Then, using a small egg cookie cutter made the indentations on the sides (photo on the right). I used a flash so the pictures are not the best quality. I still have yet to master the art of taking pictures of cookies in cellophane bags. If you know any secrets, I’d love to hear them.

I promise, cross my heart,  I will post again this week. Wishing you a happy week!