We are confident that with God's guidance, the future will hold for us an ever-growing love. We wish for you, our family and friends, to share with us the beauty of this day, as we joyously unite in marriage before God.
So, in the interest of time, and because I absolutely love these cookies I saw over at Sweetopia, I decided to keep it simple and elegant. Mission accomplished - at least in my humble opinion.
The cookies were made using a Butter Cookie recipe I found on the Joy of Baking website. I added Vanilla Beans - if you look closely, you may see the little specks of beans in each. I tripled the recipe so that I would have enough for 100+ 4" cookies. At the last minute, I decided to go with a 3" cookie cutter just to be safe - I did not want to run out of dough. 120 cookies later and I quickly learned that I am no good at math - I have enough dough in my freezer for another 100 or so cookies. I guarantee you, it will not go to waste.
Early last week, I was panick-stricken. I knew how I wanted to decorate the cookies, but I was having trouble designing the image. I also realized that I did not own a printer or ink for producing edible images - duh! I sent a quick note to Marian of Sweetopia inquiring about the grocery stores that offer this service - I remembered that little tidbit from her post. I also wanted to know if she could put me in touch with a reputable graphic designer to assist with producing the image on short notice. Her response was quick and provided some good options.
I contacted Holly of Confetti Prints and upon receiving her response, felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. I chose one of her designs and it was customized with the colours (lapis, black and white) and text to complement the wedding theme. She delivered the following day!!
OK, so I now had the design but was still panicking about getting them printed - it was Wednesday!! Did I mention the wedding was three days away and out of town?
Marian warned me that the grocery stores, depending on who I spoke with, would have no idea what I was referring to when I requested to have frosting sheets printed. She was so RIGHT! Out of frustration, I decided I would go buy the printer and ink and do it myself, but before I did that I needed to purchase the sheets. Before driving out to Mississauga in vain, I set out to call Golda's, but ended up calling McCall's. Not only do they sell the sheets, they print them! I think my eyes misted a little when I heard those words.
After explaining to the rep what I needed and how quickly, I learned that their sheets were called Marshmallow Sheets and would cost $12.00 per page, 10 per page and included the sheets - do the math... I cringed a little and quickly sent her the file via email and kept my fingers crossed. I was at the store picking them up just after 4:00 pm the same day. I just love when everything comes together.
There was no time for drying royal icing, so I cut out 2" fondant circles, applied the circles to the cookies using corn syrup and then applied the Marshmallow Sheets to the fondant in the same way - too much syrup and the colour on the sheets bleed. Trust me!
I used a pearl mould to make the borders and blended some vintage silk lustre dust with alcohol to add a sheen. 100 cookie boxes and some silver ribbon from Creative Bag and it was a wrap! My aunt D helped me package them up all pretty.
In addition to the Wedding Cookie Favours, I made my three year old niece's dress, shipped it to my sister and she added a few details - she was the flower girl. I also felt very honoured to have made my sister's veil. I also made the flower topper for the cake, which I will share in a future post/tutorial.
I wish you both continued love and happiness for many more years to come.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature 226 grams
- ⅔ cup granulated white sugar 135 grams
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Scrapings of 1 vanilla bean
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour 295 grams
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place oven rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat.
- In the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, lemon zest, and vanilla beans.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and beat just until incorporated.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a flattened circle. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm (at least two hours or overnight).
- Remove from fridge and use a rolling pin to roll dough out to about ¼ inch thick - I use dough spacers like
- these
- to get even cookies.
- Cut into desired shapes and place
- on the baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Place
- in freezer for about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from freezer, let rest 1 minute and then bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are a very light brown.
- Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Decorate as desired.
Regina @SpecialtyCakeCreations says
Wow...these cookies are stunning. Your sister must be so happy and thankful ( whew...I did the math). Thank you for sharing how you made them. I was so in love with that perfect border since I first saw it. I cant believe and am jealous that you also can sew. You are so talented!
Paula Kelly-Bourque says
O.K., your wedding favour cookies are just glorious! Congratulations to your sister and her new husband. I could feel your anxiety when reading about the making of these cookies and relieved when everything turned out so beautifully for you. Then I read on that you not only did the wedding favors but your niece's dress and your sister's veil! You are so talented and you create such beautiful work, both in the kitchen and out of it!
I Sugar Coat It! says
Thanks, Paula!! Being your area of expertise - I am thrilled that you like them. I know it's only cookies, but it was a nail biting experience. I have never done an order this big - I did not want to disappoint.
Lorrie Everitt says
These are so beautiful and I am sure that your sister was so proud to give these to her guests. Thanks for including Creative Bag's cookie boxes and ribbon to package these little works of art.
I Sugar Coat It! says
Thanks for dropping by and commenting, Lorrie!! Your store is highly addictive - my relationship with packaging has been taken to a scary level. 🙂 Thanks for all the wonderful ideas - in store and on your blog.
Regina@SpecialtyCakeCreations says
Wow...these cookies are stunning! Your sister must be so happy and thankful, (whew...I did the math). Thank you for sharing how you made them. I was so in love with that perfect border since I first saw it. I can't believe and am jealous that you also can sew. You are so talented!
I Sugar Coat It! says
Thanks, Regina!! I put that in for anyone thinking of doing something similar - it can get costly! I am thinking it is almost worth it to invest in the printer and ink...
Martine says
You are amazing...thank you for posting. I am doing wedding cookies in October ..and your story just was so inspiring. You should be so proud of yourself
I Sugar Coat It! says
Sorry, Martine. Not sure why I am just seeing your message seven months later... Hope your wedding cookies were a success!! Thanks for the note. 🙂
Joanne says
Just wondering where you purchased those cute boxes. I went on Creative Bags website but, could not find them. Thanks.
I Sugar Coat It! says
Hi Joanne - I just had an opportunity to check their site and like you I can no longer locate the page or product... I purchased mine in-store and I am pretty sure I saw them on my last visit a few weeks ago. You may want to give them a call. They are called Scallop Circle Cookie Boxes - http://creative-bag.blogspot.ca/2012/07/wedding-favor-inspiration-from-customer.html