Learn From the Experts

After our last mishap, we decided it was time to find a professional cookie decorator. We searched on-line and found Barbara, who was an enormous help. We tried using her cookie recipe, but our cookies didn't turn out so we decided to stick with what we already did well. One of her best tips was to get organized before we started decorating. That left us less flustered when it was time to mix and decorate. Barbara showed us just how long to beat the icing and what it should look like when it's ready to be used. Our next batch of cookies were much improved and the musical ribbon adds to the fun.

Hydrangea Cookies

After all of the mishaps with the purple sash cookies, we thought we knew exactly what to do this time. We got creative and decided to decorate our wedding cake cookies with hydrangeas. That overconfidence failed us once again. This time we beat the icing way too long and ended up with a sticky, marshmallow tasting flood icing. Another batch of cookies went into the trash. This time it only took us two tries. Lesson learned: beat the icing for only 10 minutes on low speed. Stir by hand if you need to add more water to thin the flood.

Back in the Kitchen

This is what you call dedication. We're back in the kitchen for the third time, making the purple sash cookies. You might wonder why we don't just give up and buy some cookies from a bakery. That's what our husbands would suggest. But we keep thinking success is right around the corner. As the saying goes, "The third time's the charm." Our cookies were perfect and we presented them with pride. Now if we could only remember the process.