C is for COOKIE

"C" is for cookie, that's good enough for me
"C" is for cookie, that's good enough for me
"C" is for cookie, that's good enough for me
Oh! Cookie, cookie, cookie starts with "C"!

And what could be even better than a cookie?  (No, BESIDES cheesecake...)  A cookie with your picture on it!  Or your friend's picture!  Or your family's picture!  Or your boss's picture!  Or a bride's picture or baby's picture for their shower!  Or, or, or...  You get the idea.  

Doodlekins has branched out to make CookieKins, which are literally "Your KIN, On a COOKIE"!  Oh my, what a fun gift or unforgettable addition to a party!  And lucky, lucky Doodlekins blogger that I am, I get to test out the CookieKins edible transfers in my own kitchen to tell all of you how easy (or difficult) it really is to use them.

So, hmmm, for whom should I create my CookieKins?  I know!  The hardworking staff at my school!  And who better to put on their CookieKins than our fearless leader (the principal), along with our beloved mascot (a dolphin).  Oops, I don't see those decorative options on the CookieKins order page...  No problem!  The folks at Doodlekins are geniuses at custom creating your own CookieKin!  So let's get started.  :)

Teacha Rita the Baker!
Actually, I was baking a "Bun in the Oven" for this Halloween costume a few years ago.
Today I am just baking cookies- nothing else!!!

NOTE: Before you start to make your cookies, pop your CookieKin transfer sheets onto a baking sheet into the freezer. You'll see why...

I decided to make sugar cookies for my CookieKins because I thought they'd look like a delicious, simple frame around the colorful picture.  But you can put the CookieKin transfers on any kind of cookie!  It just has to be the right sized circle and have white frosting on it. 

Are you wondering what sugar cookie recipe I used?  Well, never one to hold back a great recipe, here is how I make my sugar cookies...
    1. Go to the grocery store.

    2. Buy several rolls of sugar cookie dough.  (I splurged on a name brand here, with double box tops!  Oh yeah... nothing but the best for my friends- and my school.)

    3. Slice each roll of cookie dough into 16 equal circles.  You know- half, half, half, and half again...

    4.  Bake cookies according to directions, and enjoy!


CookieKin Transfers are 2.25" wide, so here is a BIG TIP FOR ALL CUT-OUT COOKIES:  If you are getting frustrated by misshapen cookies that come out of the oven, don't throw them all away (or eat them all to hide the evidence!)  Just grab a 3 inch cookie cutter (like a kids cup), and you can re-cut cookies again while they're still warm. Then they are perfectly shaped and sized for your CookieKins!

There you go.  My "secret family recipe" for sugar cookies!  Though I always make chocolate chip cookies from scratch, this is how I always make sugar cookies.  Don't laugh.  I know someone else out there does this too!  Gives me more time for the really fun part- the decorating!  (And the eating...)

Once those cookies are all cooled, you're ready to frost them.  CookieKins cookies turn out best when frosted with royal icing.  (*Or you could also make cupcakes for the CookieKin transfers, and frost those with buttercream frosting!*)  

So all righty, it's time to pull out my favorite royal icing recipe now...
    1.  Go to the craft store.

    2.  Buy a box of Wilton royal icing mix.  (1 box frosts about three dozen 3" cookies)   

    3.  Mix the powdered icing and tablespoons of water according to the directions.

Are you seeing a pattern here?  Mmm hmm...  I am all about the "Semi-Homemade" whenever possible!  Besides, using the box mix costs less than buying all that powered sugar AND meringue powder AND oil-free flavorings you would need to make royal icing from scratch.  And it was much easier.  :)

* Leave the icing white!  The CookieKin transfers are so colorful as it is, and the colors will not show up as vibrant and true if the icing is colored.  Colored cookies underneath the icing are fine!  But white icing is best here.

Once your cookies are completely cooled and your royal icing is mixed, spread the icing onto the cookies.  Don't be stingy!  Spread that icing thick and smooth, and go slightly beyond where the transfers will reach.  The CookieKin transfers won't be able to lay on the cookie by itself, or they'll just flake right off. Just frost a couple of cookies at a time, as the royal icing hardens pretty quickly.  Then put the edible transfers on as you go...

* Royal Icing can be tough to frost with!  Here is a helpful link which will help your frosted cookies look more polished and professional.  http://sweetopia.net/2011/12/video-how-to-pipe-lines-with-royal-icing/

So it's time to pull the CookieKin transfers out of your freezer!  They can just get peeled off with your fingers and placed onto the icing. (If you have trouble pulling the transfers off, just pop them back into the freezer for a minute to get hard again.  Slide your fingernail carefully along the edge, and then they'll begin to pull off.)  

You'll want to adjust the transfers immediately on the icing if they're not centered when you first touch them down onto the cookie.  Once in place, press them down lightly to make sure they're smooth and stuck.  Let the icing harden completely before moving the cookies to a tray.  Royal icing hardens quickly, so it won't take long!

And that's it!  Prepare for the compliments to roll in, and get your camera ready to take pictures of the "Cookie" with your "Kin"!  With so many choices, you'll be able to create the perfect CookieKin to match your person and theme.  

* If you will be bagging up your cookies or layering them on waxed paper, make sure to give them at least 24 hours drying time.  Otherwise the transfers will stick to the bags or waxed paper, and will pull right off.  Plan ahead, and you'll be quite happy with the results!


I have to say- the good folks at Doodlekins were so patient with adjusting my CookieKins picture to my individuality and requests.  I wanted to make sure that my school staff had CookieKins that incorporated both my school mascot and my principal, so I sent Doodlekins the pictures below.  I asked for a similar school font, and made sure to even point out the little earring in my principal's left ear.

Look at the font!  The matching shades and colors!  My principal's goatee, and his tiny customized EARRING, for crying out loud!  CookieKins and Doodlekins certainly rose to my challenge, and my school staff got a big kick out of eating these amazing cookies as a Welcome Back to School gift.  (And one coworker pointed out that this gave a whole new meaning to "biting someone's head off!")

Homebaked CookieKins Mission: Success.

They were easy to make and a big hit with everyone!
A+ from Teacha Rita

So now it's time for...

Who would YOU like to make your CookieKins for?

And would you use sugar cookie dough like I did, or a different kind of cookie?
 
(I just realized- a colored cookie would be stunning under the white icing and the CookieKin picture!  That will be my next batch...)

Your own personalized CookieKins are available straight from their shop as well.
Professionally decorated just for you- in case you want someone else to do all the cookie work this time!

Visit http://www.cookiekins.com/ to personalize your own edible transfers or pre-made CookieKins.
I had so much FUN designing and creating these cookies for my staff!  It was definitely the best "homework" this teacha ever received...  And so exciting to see the reactions!

Now that's a delicious treat you can eat!