sparkling & baking

toss on a total-sequin dress & no matter how under the weather you're feeling, you'll shine so much people won't even notice (was sick as dog in this photo, sequin dress & glitter shoes saved the day).
in other holiday frenzy news, i decided i'd throw my hat into the cookie baking ring this year when i got inspired by a self magazine article. so far i've whipped up coconut orange stars and peppermint-iced snowmen & trees.

the cookie dough recipe

(get out your cookie cutters!!!

have none, get some.)

you'll need:

2 egg whites

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 tbsp softened unsalted butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

soooo...

combine flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt in one bowl.

combine butter & sugar in another, whip it, whip it good. then add egg whites and vanilla whip that up too.

add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture slowly, stirring stirring stirring.

roll this fab dough into a log, wrap in wax paper and chill for three whole hours.

once three hours has passed, take out dough, half it, roll it out and start cookie cuttering. bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.

the icings (so easy)...

orange/coconut

1 cup shredded coconut (lightly toasted)

2 tbsp orange juice

zest of one orange

a ton of powdered sugar

mix OJ, zest & sugar until lovely and smooth. dip each cookie top side up in icing then, dip iced cookie in coconut 'til it's nicely coated. let cookies set and then prepare for orangey, coconut heaven.

candy cane icing

four candy canes beaten to a pulp

a bit of water or skim milk, you're call

a ton of powdered sugar

mix sugar and water/skim milk 'til smooth. again, dip each cookie top side down into icing then into crushed candy canes, let set. then prepare for minty loveliness.

love,

sunlovey