How to Bake Designer Sugar Cookies

You have the perfect sugar cookie recipe. You've made the cookie dough and you've tried to cut out the cookies, but it just doesn't quite work. They stick, they tear, they lose their shape. No more! Here are some tips that will have you making sugar cookies that look like a pro made them.

The first step to the perfect cut out cookie is to make the dough and then refrigerate it preferably overnight. At the very least, the dough has to be chilled for a couple of hours. You know the dough is just right to work with when you really have to "mash" it to flatten it out. You absolutely cannot cut out cookies when the dough is freshly made - don't even try it.

\"Decorated Cookies\"

If you are in a mad rush and have to have some cookies pronto, you can take a cookie sheet, line it with parchment paper, put a blob of dough on it, cover it with another sheet of parchment and then roll it out to 1/4 inch thick. Then take the cookie sheet and place it in the freezer for about fifteen minutes. Continue to do this with several cookie sheets and you should have enough dough to work with shortly.

How to Bake Designer Sugar Cookies

Now, if you aren't in a mad rush, get your dough good and cold. When you are ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 400. Make sure your oven heats up for at least 30 minutes - not just until the oven reads 400 degrees. The reason being is that your oven may not be heated to 400 in the center of the oven and will cause your cookies to bake unevenly.

Take out of the refrigerator only the amount of dough that you are going to work with at one time. Leave the rest of the dough in the refrigerator so it doesn't get warm or you will be right back where you started.

"Flour" your work surface with confectioners sugar. Yes, you can use regular flour, but the sugar adds an extra sweetness that tastes great. Also rub your rolling pin with confectioners sugar. Roll your dough to approximately 1/4" thick. If you are going to be making cookie bouquets, they need to be 1/2" thick.

Dip your cookie cutter in confectioners sugar and place it on your dough and press down to cut it out. Before you lift the cookie cutter, give it a little jiggle, wiggleing the cookie cutter back and forth. Do this until you can't get anymore cookies out of the dough that you have rolled out. Begin picking up the dough that surrounds the cut outs. Mash the dough back into a ball and put it back in the refrigerator with the other dough that is chilling.

Use a spatula that is thin, preferably a metal spatula not a rubber spatula to lift your cookies onto the cookie sheet. Rubber spatulas tend to be thicker on the end and will mash and distort your cookie. Using a thin-edged metal spatula place your cookies on the cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper about 1" apart. If you have chosen the proper sugar cookie recipe, they shouldn't puff up or spread.

Bake your cookies for 7 1/2 minutes at 400 degrees or just until the edges are golden brown. Remove the cookie sheet and let your cookies cool for just a minuet. Taking your metal spatula again, ligtly loosen the cookies from the parchment paper without moving them. Let the cool on the cookies sheet until they are ready for you to decorate.

How to Bake Designer Sugar Cookies

Quick and Easy Holiday Desserts

These simple and stress-free dessert ideas will have you out of the kitchen in no time and enjoying the holiday season.

1. Banana Coconut Cream Pie. Slice two bananas and layer half on the bottom of a prepared graham cracker crust. Prepare two packages of instant vanilla pudding according to package directions for pie filling. Stir 2 cups whipped topping into pie filling. Spread half of this mixture over bananas. Layer remaining bananas and then rest of pie filling. Top with 1 cup toasted coconut. Chill about two hours or until set.

\"Decorated Cookies\"

2. Mini Pies. Using two prepared pie crusts, cut three inch circles (I use the top of a glass as my "cutter"). Fit each pie crust into a muffin cup. Prick the pie bottoms and bake according to package directions. After pie crusts are cooled, fill with assorted pudding flavors. Use either package mixes or even easier, already prepared pudding flavors. Top each pie with fresh fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles or chopped candies depending on the pudding flavor.

Quick and Easy Holiday Desserts

3. Mini Tarts. Fill mini phyllo cups with fresh fruit and whipped topping.

4. Parfait Cups. Layer berries and whipped topping in small plastic cups. For a more formal presentation use wine or cordial glasses.

5. Mini Cheesecakes. Prepare a no bake cheesecake mix according to package directions but instead of using a pie plate, divide mix evenly among 12 cupcake papers. Top with fresh fruit, pie filling or candy morsels.

6. Decorated Cookies. Mix confectioner's sugar and a small amount of milk until spreading consistency. Use to frost store bought sugar cookies. Decorate with seasonal sprinkles or sugars.

7. Chocolate Strawberries. Wash and dry 1 pint of fresh strawberries. Chill for 20 minutes. In a microwavable bowl melt 12 oz. milk chocolate and 1 tsp shortening at 15 second intervals until melted, stirring each time. Dip strawberries into milk chocolate covering half of the fruit. Place on foil lined baking sheet and cool in refrigerator.

8. Gourmet Brownies. Prepare one box of brownie mix. Add to prepared mix 6 ounces of chocolate chips. Spread in pan. Top with 1 cup chopped nuts. Bake according to package directions.

9. Chocolate Nut Fudge. Combine a 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk and 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a bowl. Microwave one minute. Stir until smooth. Add ½ cup chopped nuts. Pour into a greased 8 X 8 pan. Chill until firm.

10. Cupcakes. Using a simple box mix, prepare cupcakes according to package directions. Frost with ready-made frosting. Use seasonal colored sprinkles to decorate in holiday colors.

Quick and Easy Holiday Desserts

Mary Crowther is a writer, webmaster and cook. Visit her successful website KitchenTerms.com

Sugar Cookies - Make Your Cookies Vanish

Is it your turn to bring refreshments for your mystery book club - which just happens to be reading a culinary mystery? "One Tough Cookie" by Diane Mott Davidson surely calls for a cookie treat - although hopefully not a tough one! The versatile sugar cookie will give you a chance to show your fellow mystery-lovers that you have just as many tasty talents as Goldy Schultz, the catering, mystery-solving heroine of " One Tough Cookie!"

You don't have to be a detective to find over a million and a half results for a "sugar cookie recipe" search on the Internet. You can add yummy ingredients like lemon, sour cream or chocolate or, using cookie cutters, bake them into any shape that fits your needs (I'll bet you could even find a cookie cutter or two related to books!)

\"Decorated Cookies\"

There's even a National Sugar Cookie Day (July 9) - I'll bet that was a mystery to you until now!

Sugar Cookies - Make Your Cookies Vanish

One thing that isn't mysterious about sugar cookie recipes - they all contain butter (or margarine), sugar and flour in some combination.

Sugar cookies made with margarine have a much longer shelf-life (up to 30 days) than butter-based dough (only about 7 days). Let's face it though - offer your cookies to women already hungry from reading about Goldy Schultz's appetizing creations and shelf life won't be important anyway!

Once you've chosen your recipe, roll out the dough and cut into shapes. Now, your decorating skills have a chance to shine!

Colorful toppings for the tasty sugar cookie include spectacular fondant, royal icing and glazes. Any of these will make a cookie so grand that Goldy just might decide to steal your recipe!

To really impress your friends with an eye-catching cookie, try using fondant. It's quick and easy to roll and then cut to custom tailor a colorful coat for your cookies. Here's some tips for a sugar cookie even Goldy would be proud to serve.

Fondant can be purchased ready-made or you can make your own at home. Either type can easily be colored. You can do this one of two ways: If you're making the fondant from scratch and you want the whole batch to be one color, you can add the food coloring with the water when mixing the recipe.

If you're using ready-made fondant or you want to color one batch several different colors, add a fine stripe of gel paste color to a lump of fondant and knead in the color.

Specialty food colors should be available at your local baking supply store, but if not, they are easily ordered online.

Once the fondant is mixed and colored, it's one of the easiest and quickest ways to decorate your cookies.

Simply roll the fondant out to the desired thickness and cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Trim to fit cookie and gently lay onto face of cookie.

Certain types of fondant will stick to the cookie without any help, but if you find the fondant is slipping about, brush the surface of the cookie with a little vanilla extract or piping gel.

For a textured effect, try using an embossed fondant roller on the fondant before you cut it out. For an even more dazzling effect, add some pearl luster dust for shimmer - this really makes the embossing stand out.

One final sugar cookie hint, especially useful if you are prone to cookie baking emergencies! Why not make extra dough and save it for a time when you're in a rush to product a culinary delight.

Wrap leftover dough in plastic wrap, and seal it in a zip-top bag. The dough can stay frozen for up to two months. Just allow for defrosting time before you use it - usually overnight in the refrigerator will do.

Maybe you should write a culinary mystery yourself. Call it "The Case of the Vanishing Sugar Cookie!" because once the group tastes these beautifully decorated sweet treats, there won't be even one left!

Sugar Cookies - Make Your Cookies Vanish

Samantha Mitchell, Co-Author Cookie Decorating Made Easy! Vol. 1 & 2 The World's First Cookie Decorating Video Books. Your cookies most certainly won’t be “tough” if you sign up for our free newsletter at http://www.CookiesMadeEasy.com Get hassle free cookie tips, along with cookie decorating tips and online videos delivered straight to your inbox.

Christmas Cookies - Coconut Cookies

Coconut is one of those ingredients that seems to get little attention until the holidays roll around. Here are some recipes that you will want to keep handy all year.

Coconut Macaroons You can whip these favorites up in minutes so keep the ingredients on hand in your pantry for a quick, freshly baked treat any time.

Cookies

You will need:

Christmas Cookies - Coconut Cookies

2 1/2 cups flaked coconut

1/3 cup flour (all-purpose)

1/8 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine the coconut, flour and salt. Add the milk and vanilla. Mixture will be a little stiff. Drop by tablespoonfuls 1 inch apart on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Now, wasn't that easy? Yield about 36 cookies.

Try Cherry Snowballs, a classic Christmas treat. You will need:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 36 maraschino cherries, well drained.

For the coating you will need

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2/4 to 1/3 cup milk
• 2 cups flaked coconut, finely chopped

To make the cookie, cream the butter, sugar, water and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats and salt and gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Shape about a tablespoon full of dough around a cherry, forming a ball. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 18-20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

While cookies cool, make the coating by combining the sugar, and milk to achieve a smooth dipping consistency. Dip cookies and roll in the chopped coconut. Let set and finish cooling. Makes about 36 cookies.

Prefer a little chocolate with your coconut? Here are Chocolate Coconut Neapolitans that you are sure to love. To make these cookies you will need:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 drops of red food coloring
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut, finely chopped
• 4 1/2 teaspoons chocolate syrup
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 teaspoons shortening

Line a 9 by 5 by 3 inch loaf pan with waxed paper and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and gradually add to the creamed mixture, mixing well.

Divide the dough into thirds. Add almond extract and red food color to one portion, spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Add coconut to the second portion and spread evenly over the third layer.

Add the chocolate syrup to the third portion and spread over the second layer.

Cover with foil and freeze for 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. You will also need ungreased cookie sheets or sheets lined with parchment paper.

Unwrap the loaf and cut in half lengthwise. Cut each portion across the width into 1/4 inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet and bake for 12 - 14 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening. Stir until blended and smooth. Dip one end of each cooled cookie into chocolate and place on wire racks set over wax paper(to catch drips).

Recipe makes about 5 dozen cookies. Store in a single layer between sheets of wax paper in an air-tight container.

For all you caramel lovers, here is one for you. Caramel Coconut Heavenly Cookies are easy to make and impressive on the Christmas cookie platter. Great cookie to make with kids and be careful, they are addictive.

You will need:

• 12 graham crackers (4 3/4 by 2 1/2 inches)
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup flaked coconut

To make these cookie bars live a 15 by 10 inch baking pan with foil. Let the kids place graham crackers in the bottom and cover with the marshmallows. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium ht cook and stir the butter, sugar and cinnamon until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Spoon this heated mixture over the marshmallows. The children can then sprinkle the almonds and coconut over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 14 - 16 minutes or until browned. Cool completely and then cut into 2 inch squares. Cut each square in half to form triangles. Makes about 6 dozen. You could also drizzle a ribbon of melted chocolate chips over the top. Try this with butterscotch chips. Yummy.

Here is one more that you surely will want to include the Christmas. They are called Jeweled Coconut Crisps and they will add yet one more layer to your festive table, that is if you can keep them around long enough.

You will need:

• 1 cup butter,softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup finely chopped red and green candied cherries
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup flaked coconut

To make the cookies cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Bear in the milk and vanilla. Stir in the flour, cherries and pecans.

Shape into two 8 inch logs. Sprinkle coconut onto wax paper, placing each log on the wax paper roll it in the coconut. Wrap each log and refrigerate several hours or until firm.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the cookies from the logs making 1/4 inch slices. Place on ungreased or parchment paper lined baking sheets and bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.

Cool on wire racks. You may wish to sprinkle warm cookies with a dusting of confectioners' sugar, but this is optional. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

With these few simple recipes and a few common ingredients you have just baked 22 dozen cookies that will delight your family and thrill your friends when you show up at the cookie exchange. Set out some of each at your next gathering for an instant holiday cookie platter. Hide some in air tight containers for later, and don't forget how delicious and easy these are when you are suddenly in the mood for a sweet treat any time of the year. Enjoy.

Christmas Cookies - Coconut Cookies

I am Barbara Cagle and I have been working and playing online since 1989. I am a certified teacher and as such I find that people are constantly asking me how to do ____. I started http://www.cagleonline.com in 2001 and it is now my internet portal where you can access information on a variety of subjects, find free products and resources, and get help for your business or just to make your life just a little bit easier.

At [http://www.caglecooksonline.com] you can download free cookbooks and find great lots of recipes. Check it out and don't miss the Master Site Index with links to all my online content. My Holiday cookbook is still available if you missed it and my newest cookbook, for Diabetics, is almost ready and will be available in time for Thanksgiving. So, head on over and see how I can help YOU today?

Cookie Press Cookies - The Perennial Christmas Cookie

Cookie Press Cookies, or Spritz cookies as they are sometimes called, have been a Christmas cookie treat since the 1600's. They are called "cookie press" because a press is used to form the cookies.

The word "spritz" comes from the German word "spritzen" which means "to squirt or spray". The word describes the action of the cookie press, which "squirts" the dough through a die giving the cookie its shape.

Cookies

If you've tried making spritz cookies without success in the past or if you're new to them the following information will guide you to making these delicious Christmas treats.

Cookie Press Cookies - The Perennial Christmas Cookie

Cookie Press Recipes

Most bakers that have had problems with their cookie press cookies are probably not at fault at all. More than likely it's the recipe they were using.

Spritz cookie dough has to have some unique qualities. First of all the dough has to be soft enough that it will go through the press with no problems.

The fact that it has to be soft could present the second problem. It must hold it's shape in the oven or it will lose its design.

On top of these two problems is that it has to taste good!

That eliminates some of the tricks some bakers' use for shape holding like using shortening for the fat. For great cookie flavor butter should be the fat in Cookie Press Cookies!

This is a good basic recipe that will produce beautiful Christmas spritz cookies.

Basic Spritz Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened (about 70 degrees)
2/3 cup sugar (about 4-3/4 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon table salt
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (10 ounces)

Instructions

Adjust your oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 375 degrees.

In small bowl, beat yolk, cream, and vanilla with fork until combined; set aside.

In stand mixer cream the butter, sugar, and salt at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula.

With the mixer running at medium speed, add the yolk and cream mixture and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl.

With the mixer running at low speed gradually beat in the flour a little at a time until combined.

Scrape down the bowl and give a final stir with a rubber spatula to ensure that no flour pockets remain.

Load up your cookie press and press out the cookies spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake one sheet at a time until the cookies are light golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through the baking time.

Cool the cookies on the baking sheet until just warm, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the cookies from the sheet with a metal spatula and transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Some words of caution!

This cookie recipe works perfectly fine. However there are some variables that can't be solved by a recipe. Those variables are in your own kitchen.

Oven thermostats are notoriously inaccurate! The temperature of your oven must be 375 degrees for the cookies to setup before the melting butter makes them spread.

If your cookies spread too much check your oven with an oven thermometer.

In addition to oven temperature the cookies will spread too much if you have whipped too much air into the dough. When you are creaming the butter and sugar be sure and not over whip.

Also combine the dry ingredients with the wet just until mixed thoroughly.

A warm cookie sheet will cause your cookies to spread excessively. Be sure your sheet is completely cooled before you do a second batch. You can pop it in the fridge for a few minutes if necessary.

Expand Your Cookie Press Cookies Repertoire

Once you have the basic procedure for spritz cookies down pat you can expand your repertoire.

The flavors and decorations possibilities for these cookies are almost unlimited. And with good recipes you can make Christmas Cookie Baking go like a flash.

Cookie Press Cookies - The Perennial Christmas Cookie

There are a lot of recipes, baking tips and decorating tips in the Cookie Press Recipes section of Jim Bolding's website http://www.cookie-recipe-club.com.

4 Steps to a Perfect Baptism Party

1. Begin with baptism-themed invitations:

• For customized invitations, there are a number of online sites that offer designs from the simple to the elaborate. Many allow you to upload a photo and create a photo card with your invitation. If you know the colors you wish to use with your decorations, use those in the invitations as well. This will help draw the entire party together.
• If you are creative and wish to make the invitations yourself, you can purchase a kit online or buy all the materials you need individually at a craft store (look for coupons in your Sunday paper to bring the cost down significantly). You'll want colored paper (glossy often looks more elegant), ribbon, envelopes, and stickers or embossments to seal the envelopes. Crosses, angels, baby feet, or even doves can be used as a theme, and matching stickers are easy to come by. (For a wide selection of sticker styles and colors, check out stickersgalore.com.)
• If you don't wish to order personalized invitations online or create your own, generic invitations can be purchased at local stores. You'll just need to write in the specifics of your party. (For one inexpensive option, search "baby baptism invitations" on target.com and you'll find invitations with matching thank you cards to send after the event.)

\"Decorated Cookies\"

2. Decorations set the mood for the celebration:

4 Steps to a Perfect Baptism Party

• Pastel colors accented with silver are frequently used for baptism parties. A search for "baptism tableware" will turn up numerous options for silverware, plates, cups, and napkins. You can then tie the napkins around silverware using colored ribbon to add more color.
• Table covers, streamers, flowers, banners, and balloons can also contribute to the color scheme and create a fun environment for the celebration.
• You can do double duty with your centerpiece and party favors by purchasing a Baptism Rosary Centerpiece. This centerpiece is actually comprised of individual rosary favors.

3. Food can come in a variety of options:

• First, decide if you'd like to serve a full meal, appetizers, or desserts. If you choose to have a meal, would you like people to sit down and be served, or would you prefer a buffet? Depending on what you choose, you may need place cards, people to serve the food, and a means to keep the food warm. You can rent buffet equipment from any party rental store in your area.
• Cakes and fruit punch are often a staple at baptism parties. You can order customized cakes at your local bakery. Cupcakes are also a fun and delicious option (don't hesitate to ask your supermarket bakery to bake and decorate them). Search online for wonderful 'fruit punch recipes' using that term exactly.

4. Make the moment last with baptism party favors

• You can provide meaningful favors that contribute to the religious and sacred nature of the event, such as rosary favors or baptism ornaments
• Edible favors, including photo cookies, decorated cookies with a cross or angel, and chocolate cross lollipops are fun for guests of all ages. You may choose to have them on the dessert table for guests to take as they leave, or they may be placed near the exit or on seats so everyone has access to them.
• A third option would be to make your own favors. Perhaps you'd like to go to a craft store and buy small wooden frames which you decorate yourself and fill with pictures of your child. Or make your own cookie favors, put them in a cellophane bag (found at any craft store) and tie with a pretty ribbon. The possibilities are endless.

4 Steps to a Perfect Baptism Party

Cassandra Biele is an event planner specializing in religious celebrations. She highly recommends the Baptism Favors offered at DivaEntertains.com

Using Stories in the Preschool ESL Classroom

Do you want to start using stories in the preschool ESL classroom but don't know where to start? There are many great pre-k activities for ESL classrooms, including games, but it's also very important to not discount the power of stories. Whether you're reading a classic book, making up a story as you go along or designing a story specifically for a particular lesson, you'll want to be sure to include stories in the preschool ESL class every day.

One of the reasons why stories work so well in the ESL preschool classroom has to do with intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is the theory that people are motivated by internal factors. Children of preschool age do not understand the external factors that might motivate an adult to decide to learn a second language, so as a teacher it's up to you to create a classroom that internally motivates them to participate in the activities and, ultimately, learn the language you are teaching.

\"Decorated Cookies\"

Stories are perfect for teaching young ESL students because children already love stories and are already motivated at the thought of listening to one. In addition to that, when children listen to the stories, they are able to internalise the language structure and will eventually begin recognize words and phrases they hear in the stories. Besides, there are so many ways to use them in the classroom that the possibilities with stories are practically endless. Here are some possibilities on how you can use stories in your classroom:

Using Stories in the Preschool ESL Classroom

Teach Vocabulary

Before you use a story in the ESL preschool classroom, you'll need to teach the students the key vocabulary words to they are able to follow the story. Thus the story can serve as a basis for drawing vocabulary words. It goes deeper than that, however. The students will not just "learn" the words, they will immediately see how the words are used and hear them in context of the language. This is so much more beneficial to the students than simply memorizing a list of words.

Vary Your Classroom Activities

Telling a story adds variety to your lessons in terms of content and pace. Preschoolers don't have a terribly long attention span, so you'll want to vary your activities throughout the class period. Changing your activities every five to ten minutes is appropriate for this age group - and that's a great length of time to spend telling a story. Furthermore, preschool students have a ton of energy, so you'll want to have some activities that allow them to burn this energy. To keep the class from getting out of control, use a story after a boisterous activity to allow everyone enough time to settle down before moving onto something else. Remember also that you can tell the same stories over and over again.

Be Creative

Whenever you tell a story allow your creativity show through. Have fun with it and go with the flow. Make animal sounds, change your voice, sing little songs and, most of all, use gestures. You might even be able to get some of your students to go along with you when it comes to animal sounds, songs and gestures.

Introduce Other Activities

Stories are a great jumping board for other activities. Here is just a sampling of activities you could do following a story:

* Give each student a picture that depicts the events of the story and have them line up in order of the events.

* Have the students come up with a title for the story. Allow as many titles as students who'd like to share one.

* Repeat quotes from the story and ask the students "Who said it?"

* Leave off the ending of the story and have the students predict what they think will happen. Then, read the ending of the story.

* Encourage the children to look for patterns in the story. Have them guess, for example, what the character will say if there is a pattern in what the character says.

* Teach them a song that goes along with the theme of the story.

* Teach them actions to go along with the songs.

* Let them act out parts of the story.

* Set up stations that allow them to dress up like characters in the story and do things the characters in the story did. So, if the characters in the story decorated cookies, give them some time to decorate cookies.

* Tell a story to introduce a new unit.

* Give the students three events in the story and ask them what came first.

* Have the students draw a picture about their favourite part of the story and then explain it to the class.

* Let the students tell about a similar experience they might have had.

There are so many things you can do with stories in the ESL classroom. Just let your imagination go and soon so will the imaginations of your students! If you want some ideas to help you get started, just visit the link in the box below the article for some free materials on using games in the preschool classroom.

Using Stories in the Preschool ESL Classroom

Shelley Vernon has helped 1000s of teachers be an inspiration to their pupils. Improve the effectiveness of your lessons and enjoy yourself more. Receive free games and a story for preschoolers now on Preschool ESL games and stories website.

Gifts for Baby Shower Game Winners

As you plan your baby shower, you need to consider what to buy for prizes for the games you will play. When you buy gifts for baby shower games, you need to know how many games you play, how many winners you will have and whether you want every guest to win something. All of these factors will dictate what you will buy and how many you will need.

What better way to reward your guests than to give them something to snack on. If you purchase customized fortune cookies, you can give them to everyone, whether they win or lose. Because you can customize the message inside, you can also use the fortune cookies as a game themselves. You can purchase a few with the term "winner" printed inside and the others can have cute ways of telling people they haven't won. The guests crack them open and find out if they won.

\"Decorated Cookies\"

If you want to provide bigger gifts for baby shower games, you can buy many of the same things you can give away as favors. For instance, you can buy an assortment of picture frames, candles and other trinkets. Wrap each item up separately in matching paper and place them on one table. When your guests win, they can then pick one of the gifts from the table. Make sure you have enough to go around for all of the winners, keeping in mind that some games may have more than one winner. Otherwise, you will need a tie-breaker process in place.

Gifts for Baby Shower Game Winners

You can also purchase something to give to those who lose the game. An inexpensive option to give to those who don't win is a small package of bath confetti. You can buy these packages of bath confetti imprinted with a cute saying about the fact that not everyone can win, but you wanted to thank them for playing the game. This ensures that everyone gets something to take home.

Buying gifts for baby shower games involves planning ahead so you know how many to get. You can provide your guests with a tasty treat as a reward or even use them to play a game. If you want something a little nicer for the winners, buy an assortment of some of the nicer shower favors to give to the winners. It is also nice to provide something, even if it is a small something, to all of your guests so no one goes home empty handed.

Gifts for Baby Shower Game Winners

To browse your options for gifts for baby shower games, visit ABCFavors.com, an online magical store to buy personalized baby shower favors.

Common Types of Cookies

Everyone loves home-baked cookies. Nothing is more welcoming than the smell of freshly baked cookies or the sight of them cooling on the counter. It's my favorite kind of aromatherapy.

Cookies have a long history, dating back to 7th Century Persia. By the 1800s, cookie recipes began appearing in cookbooks as 'small cakes.' In fact, the term 'cookie' comes from the Dutch word koekje or koekie which means little cake.

Cookies

Recipes for cookies in a variety of styles and flavors increased in the early 1900s and continues today. Cookies are the most common treat baked in home kitchens and it's estimated that more than half of all home baked cookies are chocolate chip.

Common Types of Cookies

But there are a lot more kinds of cookies out there waiting to be baked. Most cookbooks classify them by how they are formed into the following categories or types of cookies:

Bar Cookies, Squares, or Pan Cookies
The quickest and easiest type of cookie to make. Batter or dough is pressed or spread into a pan and cut into bite-size pieces after baking. Brownies are the classic example of a batter-type bar cookie but they come in a variety of styles and flavors.

Drop Cookies
By far the most common type of homemade cookie created by dropping or pushing cookie dough from a teaspoon or tablespoon onto a prepared cookie sheet. Just mix, drop, bake, and enjoy -- definitely an easy cookie type. Popular examples of drop cookies include oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, and chocolate chip.

No Bake Cookies
Another easy cookie, no bakes don't require an oven. They are a great way to introduce kids to the fun of cookie making. Some of my favorite no bake cookie recipes include rice krispie bars, coconut date balls, rum balls, and peanut butter bars.

Ice Box or Refrigerator Cookies
Originally referred to as "ice box cookies," made from stiff dough that is refrigerated and usually formed into a cylinder before slicing and baking. Contemporary cookbooks may categorize refrigerator cookies as sliced or slice and bake cookies. You can keep a log of cookie dough in the refrigerator or freezer then slice, bake, and enjoy a warm, fresh from the oven, homemade cookie whenever a cookie craving strikes.

Shaped Cookies
These cookies are shaped by hand or with molds or extruded from a cookie press or pastry bag. Shortbread is a classic example of a hand shaped cookie. There are also lots of popular holiday "spritz" cookies that require a special cookie press.

Whichever type of cookie you choose to make, friends and family are sure to applaud your efforts.

Common Types of Cookies

Martha McKinnon is an avid home cook and cooking instructor who loves sharing everything she has learned through her years in the kitchen with all who are interested.

Her website, http://www.best-ever-cookie-collection.com is dedicated to publishing the best cookie recipes.

And her blog, http://www.simple-nourished-living.com explores easy recipes, tips, and hints.

Peacock Wedding Favors - Homemade and Purchased - Your Guide

The peacock, because of its symbolism and beauty, is fast becoming a top wedding theme in North America. It has long been popular for weddings in different cultures and countries (India, for example). The peacock itself represents royalty, wealth and knowledge whiles its rich, vibrant colors of green, royal and turquoise blue, purple and gold are gorgeous when incorporated into wedding decor and favors.

Homemade: I'm going to talk about 3 types of homemade peacock favors:

\"Decorated Cookies\"

1) Favors given in a favor bag or box that is the color of one of many colors found on a peacock feather. Craft stores offer a large selection of favor bags and boxes, primarily found in the wedding section (organza bags and small favor boxes). There are also larger, colored paper bags found in the gift wrap section. To further decorate you can attach the eye of an actual peacock feather (and a bit of the stem) to the box or bag with a glue dot (again, found at craft stores and easy to use). Craft and floral stores have peacock feathers for purchase and there are several stores online that offer them in bulk. Simply type "Bulk Peacock Feathers" in a search to find sources.

Peacock Wedding Favors - Homemade and Purchased - Your Guide

2) Everybody loves to receive an edible favor and a peacock shaped cookie would be a much appreciated 'thank you'. You can find easily find an online source for a cookie cutter. Then find a reliable and delicious recipe for a sugar cookie and icing. Our favorite can be found at the bottom of this article. To frost, use an easy technique called "flooding" to decorate in one or more vibrant, peacock-inspired colors. To learn how to flood cookies go to google.com and type in "how to flood cookies"; the results given will provide many easy-to-understand videos and tutorials. Once the frosting hardens (I recommend letting them sitting overnight) put them individually into cello bags and tie with a pretty colored ribbon.

3) Add a themed favor tag to the favor of your choice? To do this go to google.com/images and type in peacock (or peacock feather) and select an image that you love. Copy it onto a word or powerpoint (or similar) document and copy it as many times it will fit on a page. Buy white or ivory cardstock and print on it. Cut out the shapes by hand and, with a hole punch, punch out a hole to put satin ribbon through for hanging. It's also lovely to hand stamp the back of the image with a "Thank You" rubber stamp. To find, look in the bins at craft stores (stamps and ink).

Purchased: Peacock wedding favors available for purchase continue to grow. You can give a keepsake favor such as a magnet featuring the bird or a feather; we recommend glass magnets for a higher quality gift. Christmas ornaments personalized in the theme are also lovely favors.

Edible favors include decorated sugar cookies (easily found via an online search), or white chocolate dipped oreos or graham crackers that have edible images (as well as text) on them. There are also cookie pops which are regular cookies dressed up in fancy, personalized, theme packaging. You can also find beautiful candy wrappers in this theme to wrap around Hershey bars; some are available as place cards too.

Several stores offer beautiful, personalized peacock favor boxes. Make sure you look for reviews from customers to ensure that the ones you purchase are professionally produced. Fill them with small candies, chocolate truffles, a scented votive candle or other small item.

This recipe is adapted from Penny McConnell who has a wholesale cookie business and sells decorated cookies to Starbucks. I have made the cookies and they are great. Very little spread, if any. You can roll them very thin if you like crunchy cookies or make them a bit thicker. She recommends baking on parchment paper. Be sure to add ALL the flavoring specified. It is a lot, but makes all the difference in the world.

Penny's Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 Tbsp whipping cream (can use half and half)

2 Tablespoon pure vanilla

1 tsp pure almond extract

½ tsp. salt

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a mixer combine butter and sugar. Beat only until combined and no lumps of butter remain. DON'T cream until fluffy.

Add egg, cream, vanilla and almond extract all at once and thoroughly blend. The mixture will look curdled but that's how it should.

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. Add the mixture to the wet ingredients and blend.

Roll out to a thickness of ½-¼" inch and cut with a cookie cutter. Bake on parchment sheets for 8-12 minutes (depending on thickness and size of cutters) and cool on a rack. Makes about 3 dozen cookies depending on cutter size.

Dough does not need to be chilled before using

This is the best cookie icing I have ever used and it hardens nicely for bagging but is not rock hard like royal icing. You will love it.

Sugar Baby Frosting

1 32 oz. pkg. confectioners' sugar, sifted

1/3 cup evaporated skimmed milk

1/3 cup white corn syrup

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

1/3 cup water, boiling

Combine milk, syrup and vanilla in a saucepan over heat and add boiling water. Blend together with electric mixer. Add confectioners sugar and continue mixing until smooth. The frosting consistency is similar to a glaze. Color with powdered food coloring for decorating cookies.

You may purchase the powdered food coloring at cake decorating specialty stores, Walmart cake decorating department, or Hobby Lobby cake decorating department.

Copyright Diva Entertains, 2012

Peacock Wedding Favors - Homemade and Purchased - Your Guide

Deb Rosenberg is an avid entertains and has designed an exclusive line of beautiful peacock wedding favors offered only at DivaEntertains.com.

History of Peanut Butter Cookies

Gourmet peanut butter cookies are delicious, but where did they come from?

Since ancient times, people have enjoyed nuts in their cookies. In old times they would bake small cakes with crushed nuts in them. The Romans spread this type of treat throughout Europe. These ancient cakes weren't like the cookies that we enjoy today.

Cookies

In medieval times bakers started using white sugar and their cookies more resembled the ones we eat today, but these did not include peanuts. They included other nuts that were known to them at the time. It would take many years before the peanut arrived in Europe.

History of Peanut Butter Cookies

The peanut is believed to have originated in South America approximately 3,000 years ago. This is supported by the fact that ancient jars featured decorations of peanuts and ancient graves contained jars of peanuts for their journey to the afterlife. When the Spanish arrived at the New World, they appreciated the peanut and brought it back to Europe. From there, it spread around the world.

Peanuts were first turned into butter at the turn of the 19th century. It was a who doctor concocted peanut butter as a health food. Now it could find its way into delicious cookies!

It was sometime during the 1920s or 1930s that it first showed up in cookie recipes. Many believe it was a Pilsbury cookbook that taught us to make peanut butter balls, and them smash them into cookies using a fork. This is thought to be due to the higher density of the dough. Since then people have been enjoying peanut butter cookies of all kinds.

The pinnacle today is the gourmet peanut butter cookie. They can be loaded with all types of extras. Our cookies include chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.

History of Peanut Butter Cookies

Omi Kookies makes gourmet cookie dough from all natural ingredients. Flavors include chocolate chunk, peanut butter, white chocolate pecan, and lemon cookie.

Omi Kookies offers frozen gourmet cookie dough perfect for fundraising, corporate gifts, and special events.

Check out all of our products: gourmet cookies, gourmet cookie dough, and baking accessories.