SUGAR COOKIE TIPS

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SUGAR COOKIE TIPS

As I have said before, Sugar Cookies are an excellent *Baking Basic*. They lend themselves to easy decorating and personalization.

ROLLING TIPS

METHOD 1 - This method of rolling out cookie dough can be a real time and mess saver.
Roll the dough out BEFORE chilling and then chill it. Here is how:
A) Roll out the sugar cookie dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper, right after it is mixed up. B) Place it on to a flat baking sheet and put it in the fridge.
C) Continue until all the dough is rolled out, stacking the dough sheets on top of the first one.
D) You will go through a lot of waxed paper, but the convenience is worth it.
E) When you’re ready to cut the cookies out, take out one sheet at a time, peel off the top waxed paper, lightly rub some flour onto the dough, replace the waxed paper and flip the dough sheet over.
F) Peel off the now top sheet of waxed paper and you’re ready to cut out your cookies.
G) Collect the dough scraps in a plastic baggie so they don’t dry out and re-roll when you have enough for a large sheet.
H) You can reuse some of the waxed paper sheets for re-rolling the scraps.

ROLLING TIPS:
1) If the waxed paper slips on the counter while rolling, wipe the counter with a damp cloth.
2) While rolling the dough, sometimes the bottom waxed paper wrinkles. Flip over the dough and waxed paper, release waxed paper and re-roll.

METHOD 2 - It is difficult to roll dough if attempting to do so immediately after taking out of the refrigerator.
A) Take a portion of the dough out and put the rest back in the refrigerator as you don’t want the dough to get to room temperature.
B) Let the piece you are working with warm slightly but keeping beneath room temperature.
C) Experiment with different lengths of time of warming until you find the temperature you find the easiest to work with.

DECORATING TIPS

To decorate with colored sugars:
1) Prepare cookies by brushing with heavy cream or an egg white slightly beaten with 1 tablespoon of water.
2) Sprinkle with decorative toppings.

To decorate with food colors:
1) Mix 1 egg yolk and 1/4 teaspoon water.
2) Divide mixture among several custard cups.
3) Tint each with different food color to make bright colors.
4) (If paint thickens while standing, stir in a few drops of water.)
5) Paint designs on cookies with small paint brushes.