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Apr 30, 2014

Autism Awareness Rose Cookies

Today on The Cookie Puzzle, we have a very special guest.  April is Autism Awareness Month, and today is the last day of April, so it seems only fitting that I have an Autism related post.

Last year, I went all out and hosted a "I am Blogging for Autism Awareness" EVENT, every day of the month had an Autism Awareness Post, Guest hosted by a different blogger.  This year, I did not have it in me to coordinate such an event, maybe next year I will try it again.

Anyway....I will now turn my blog over to Stephanie.  Stephanie blogs over at Ellie's Bites Decorated Cookies, she is MEGA talented.  She make AMAZING cookies like These, and These and THESE!

So...I love Stephanie...she is a great friend..and has two of the most adorable kiddos on the planet!

Take it away Steph!


____________________________________________

Hi! I'm Stephanie from Ellie's Bites. I'm honored that Kim let me take over her page again this year! Last year, I made these  but I didn't get a chance to actually make anything to send to Cookies For iPads. This year, I made a promise to myself that I would send some cookies out, and although I only made nine cookies, I did it. AND I made a tutorial, AND I talked Kim into letting me share it with you!





Again, I made these really simple to do. What you'll need is:
1. A cookie (any shape will do, base coated in the color of your choice. You can use royal icing or glaze- any icing that hardens to the touch. Light colors will work best- I used a light ivory. Allow the base coat to dry for several hours or over night.)
2. A puzzle piece (raid your kids' toy box.)
3. Glad Press and Seal
4. An airbrush or Wilton's color mist in a color that complements and will show up well on your base coat.
5. Piping icing in the same color as, or a complementary color of, your cookie's base coat.




1- Using the Press and Seal, wrap your puzzle piece. Make sure to press it into the contours. This will protect the puzzle piece from the spray, and also protect the cookies from the grimy fingerprints that your children have surely left all over that puzzle piece. 
2- Lay the puzzle piece in the center of the cookie, hold it in place with the handle of a paintbrush, or a chopstick, and lightly spray over it with the airbrush color. 
3- I went over a second time keeping a smaller diameter in the second pass in order to make a shaded effect on the cookie. Carefully remove the puzzle piece. Wait a few minutes for the color to dry.
4- Use the piping icing to outline the shape of the puzzle.
You can stop there. I kept going and made my cookie the shape of a rose. 

As I was making these, I forgot exactly WHY I had chosen to use a flower shape. Certainly the technique would work on a circle, plaque, or especially a heart. You could even move the piece around and create a collage of puzzle pieces on the cookie instead of only one central puzzle shape. When I try to remember why I chose a flower specifically, I can only think of words like: individuality, beauty, uniqueness, variety.... 

Thank you Kim, for letting me share with you today!

______________________________________________________________________-

Thank you so much Stephanie!  I love these cookies...and you too!








Apr 29, 2014

Tasty Tuesdays # 58 Plus Features


With one week as a host of Tasty Tuesdays under my belt, I have to say this is SOOO fun,
 I love seeing all of the wonderful links! 




Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle


We are all so happy that you stopped by to join us, 
because with out YOU it would not be a PARTY!

Link on ONE Party, and you link will appear on 
at least 16 blogs!



Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle

The rules are pretty simple, Link your Recipe and Food Posts.


Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle

If you link it, and follow the rules, we will pin it to Party Group Board!



It is not a rule that you follow all the hosts, but if you do, I can promise that you will 
find wonderful blog posts, pins and fun.
In the image below, you can click on each host name to follow her
Pinterest board.

Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle




Features




calling my name!  You HAVE to check them out...your will drool looking at
the beautiful pictures, and be surprised as how easy they are to make.



These German Chocolate Cupcakes have been taunting me in my dreams!
Frugal Mom Eh also shared a frosting recipe that I MUST try for German Chocolate
Cupcakes.  I had no idea you could actually MAKE that stuff, I always buy a can of it!


German Chocolate Cupcakes




Who loves donuts?  I do!
The First Year Blog, look...OMG WONDERFUL!
Do you think if I made them, I would have to share? Or could I stay home from 
work, make them and eat them all myself?   Hard decisions ya'll!

Lemon Coconut Donuts with Lemon Glaze | thefirstyearblog.com


As soon as I saw the link for this 
link, read the post, left a comment, Pinned it, and shared it on Social Media
Delightful E Made really made my heart sing. 
 Is there anything better then a yellow cake with chocolate icing?  Not according to my dad!
I will be making this soon...I can promise you that!

Buttermilk Sheet Cake with Chocolate Fudge Frosting by DelightfulEMade.com 

Each week, each host will choose her own features, so make sure you check out the other
blogs too.  If you are featured, I would love for you to
spread the word, by grabbing one of our featured buttons, and displaying it for all to 
see on your blog.  If you want to Pin any of the featured posts, please DO NOT PIN from here,
go to the source blog and Pin from there.

Image Map
Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle
<div class="THE-COOKIE-PUZZLE-button" style="width: 140px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q772/thecookiepuzzle/TheCookiePuzzleFeatured_zpsb500b4a8.png" alt="THE COOKIE PUZZLE" width="346" height="251" /> </a> </div>




If you link, and were not featured, here is a button that I would be honored for
you to display on your sidebar, party page, or just wherever you want,
it does not take much to make me happy!


Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle
<div class="THE-COOKIE-PUZZLE-button" style="width: 140px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q772/thecookiepuzzle/TheCookiePuzzletastytuesdays_zps49641e16.png" alt="THE COOKIE PUZZLE" width="346" height="251" /> </a> </div>







Apr 28, 2014

Roll-out Chocolate Chip Cookies


You all know that I am HUGE supporter of Cookies for iPads, right?  Well on Saturday, April 26th, they held their annual COOKIEPALOOZA!  I live hundreds of miles from them, but send cookies as often as I can, so you know I sent cookies for Cookiepalooza!

I wanted something that was quick and easy, that would ship well, and something that reflected Autism.

 When I saw Taste of Lizzy T post a Chocolate Chip Cut Out Cookie, I knew I found the cookie I wanted to make!  The logo for Cookies for iPads, is a chocolate chip cookie with puzzle pieces on it. And by now, you should all know how I fell about Puzzle pieces, so this past week, I shipped a box that contained 136 of these!





They are sooooo yummy, and soooo easy!  I cut some with a puzzle piece cutter, and the others I cut with a round cutter, and then before I baked them, I put some fondant puzzle pieces on them.  Once baked, the puzzle pieces adhered to the cookie and I had PUZZLE CHIP COOKIES!


I want to take a minute to talk about these fondant puzzle pieces, in case you want to make them yourself too.  I used THIS cutter, and THIS fondant.  I don't have much experience with Fondant, but for this project, it worked great.  I loved that I did not have to color it myself, just roll, cut and go.  I spent a few hours making these puzzle pieces, and if stored in an air tight container, they last FOREVER.  
Now, lets talk about how I got them to stick.  On my first 'try' I baked the cookies, and then put the puzzle pieces on the hot cookies as soon as they came out of the oven.  It appeared to work, but when I moved the cookies, the popped off.  SO...plan B was to put the puzzle pieces on BEFORE I baked them.  I have to confess, I was not sure it would work, I was sure they would melt into colored globes, but guess what?  It worked, they stayed perfectly shaped, and did not pop off the cookies when they cooled!  WOOT WOOT!

So, I kept rolling and cutting, until I was out of fondant puzzle pieces, then I moved to making 
puzzle shaped chocolate chip cookies!


I was not sure how these would come out...but, ya'll....I love them!

Chocolate chip cookies in the shape of a puzzle piece, how can you NOT love that.

When I was making these, I was planning on drizzling them with multi-colored chocolate, but when they
came out of the oven, I fell in love with them, and left them as they were.

I will definitely be making these again, they are quick and easy.  I love that that
actually TASTE like chocolate chip cookies.


Try them sometime...I am sure you will love them!






Roll-Out Chocolate Chip Cookies

by thecookiepuzzle

Ingredients
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup buttered flavored Crisco
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 ounces (two squares) Chocolate Almond Bark
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
In a microwave safe bowl, melt Almond Bark according to package directions, set aside. In bowl of mixer, cream together sugar, shortening, eggs, salt and vanilla. Add melted Almond Bark to sugar mixture and mix until well combined. Combine baking soda with flour, and mix well. Alternately add sour cream and flour mixture to the sugar mixture, mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Divide dough in half, wrap in cling wrap, flatten, and place in refrigerator to chill for at least 6 hours, I chilled it overnight. Remove half of the dough, and roll 1/4 inch thick, and use favorite cutter to cut out cookies. Re-roll any scrapes, if the dough becomes soft, put it back into the fridge to chill, the dough is much easier to work with when it is cold. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-12 minutes depending on the size of the cookie. Cookies are done,when the edges just start to brown, and center is slightly firm to the touch. Cool completely on cookie sheet, then remove to an air tight container to store.
Powered by Recipage










This post might be linked up at the link parties found Here

Apr 27, 2014

Pieces of My Puzzle 4-27-14



Happy Sunday Friends!

Sorry I have not done a Sunday post in like, well, awhile...but you know how it is...life happens, stuff happens...so..yeah..ok...sorry...I am back now.

So...what happened this week.  Well...it looks like Spring is finally here in Missouri, which makes me happy, I like spring...spring weather is nice...not too hot...I am not a hot weather type of girl...sweating is way over rated!

Collin now has 13 days left of school....like 13 days EVER!  Yep...my baby, is graduating from High School.  I am not sure how I feel about it, I am trying NOT to think about it.  I am so proud of him.  He is the best son I parent could ever ask for, I don't know what I did to deserve him, I am truly blessed.

So...if I am MIA for a bit on the blog, well...I am busy doing stuff...graduation stuff..because there are like 8 gazillion "events" tied to graduation, spread out over a two week period.  Remember when you graduated on like ONE day?  Oh...the good ole days!


I am still reading and loving the Cedar Cove Series by Debbie Macomber...still LOVING them!

Scandal ended last week...BOO!  My friend is all happy that Liv ran away with Jake, I like the idea, but I had to brake it to her that is is called SCANDAL....LIV is the SCANDAL....THE SCANDAL is that LIV is having an affair with the the President.....so...in the end, Live will leave Jake and end up with Fitz again. Any one want to place a wager on that?

Grey's is ending this week. If you have not heard, Christina is leaving.  BOOOO!  Without Cristina and Meredith, there is not Grey's Anatomy.  They are the Twisted Sisters!  Burke will be back.  As much as I love Christina and Owen, seeing the previews of Burke...well...I am team Burke.  Sorry Team Owen, I gotta call it as I see it...and Christina is leaving and Owen is not, and Burke is not coming back...so...the logical conclusion is that Christina is leaving with Burke.  Wagers?


Oh...in case you missed it...I am a new host of Tasty Tuesdays!


While the party is closed, you can still see all the wonderful links HERE.  The party goes live at 2 AM Central time, so come back and link up then for Party Number 58!

Oh...and if you want to support Cookies for iPads, the Thirty One Fundraiser will be open until May 15th

You can read the post about it HERE,  If you want to place an order, you can find information about that on that post also!



Don't forget to come back Tuesday to link up to Tasty Tuesday....every link gets pinned!

AND!

Make sure you come back on THURSDAY...something new, fun and exciting is coming to
The Cookie Puzzle.

Any guesses?

Apr 22, 2014

Tasty Tuesdays #57


Today is a big day at The Cookie Puzzle.
I have join a team of 15 amazing bloggers to bring
TASTY TUESDAYS
to The Cookie Puzzle!





Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle

Did you read that?

Do you see the cool graphics?

OMG!  Somebody pinch me!

Tasty Tuesdays is a weekly Link Party, spearheaded by the 
wonderful Anyonita of Anyonita Nibbles.
For as long as I have been joining Link Party, THIS party
has been one of my favorites!
When I noticed a call for new co-hosts, I nervously sent in my application and information.
You can imagine my surprise when I got an email back.
Just imagine a high pitched squeal and a well protected iPad, flying across the room.
After like 2.3 seconds to "think about it", I quickly responded

"OMG....YES!"

So...here we are, and here we will be, every Tuesday!
A Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle!

Each week, our team of 15 amazing host and at least one of our fantastic
co-hosts provides this fabulous party.

We are all so happy that you stopped by to join us, 
because with out YOU it would not be a PARTY!

Link on ONE Party, and you link will appear on 
at least 16 blogs!



Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle

The rules are pretty simple, Link your Recipe and Food Posts.


Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle

If you link it, and follow the rules, we will pin it to Party Group Board!



It is not a rule that you follow all the hosts, but if you do, I can promise that you will 
find wonderful blog posts, pins and fun.
In the image below, you can click on each host name to follow her
Pinterest board.

Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle




While I was not "officially" a co-host for Party #56, I  thought I would still
feature some of my favorite posts from that party.  You don't mind, do you?




I think that S'Mores are the perfect food.
Graham Cracker, Chocolate, Marshmallow....Perfection.
These Stuffed S'Mores Muffins make my heart sing!



I have a passion for bread.  Honestly, it is probably my favorite part
of meal, well except to dessert, a meal made up of
bread and dessert, that is a perfect meal in my opinion.
These Garlic Biscuit Knots look Amazing!

Garlic_Biscuit_Knots


I love Crab Rangoon.  I have always wanted to make them, but
the thought of having to fold those paper thin wanton wrappers scared me.
These Easy Crab Rangoon are the perfect solution!  I love that 
they look yummy and are easy to make. 



Each week, each host will choose her own features, so make sure you check out the other
blogs too.  If you are featured, I would love for you to
spread the word, by grabbing one of our featured buttons, and displaying it for all to 
see on your blog.

Image Map
Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle
<div class="THE-COOKIE-PUZZLE-button" style="width: 140px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q772/thecookiepuzzle/TheCookiePuzzleFeatured_zpsb500b4a8.png" alt="THE COOKIE PUZZLE" width="346" height="251" /> </a> </div>




If you link, and were not featured, here is a button that I would be honored for
you to display on your sidebar, party page, or just wherever you want,
it does not take much to make me happy!


Tasty Tuesday Link Party at The Cookie Puzzle
<div class="THE-COOKIE-PUZZLE-button" style="width: 140px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thecookiepuzzle.com" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q772/thecookiepuzzle/TheCookiePuzzletastytuesdays_zps49641e16.png" alt="THE COOKIE PUZZLE" width="346" height="251" /> </a> </div>







Apr 15, 2014

Mini Crown Cookies {Her Royal Highness Baby Shower}

Today is a very special day here at The Cookie Puzzle!

I am joining 14 other bloggers at a Virtual Baby Shower...not just any baby shower, a 
Her Royal Highness Baby shower!

Royal Baby Shower Cookies


Who is the Baby Shower for?

This Shower is for Callye of Sugarbelle and Georganne Lilaloa, you know,

THE COOKIE QUEENS!



SUPRISE Callye and Georganne!

This shower was organized by Hani of Hanielas, Michelle of Make Me Cake Me and
Mike of Semi Sweet


I think EVERY baby shower need favors for the guests to take home, so
I made mini crown cookies for everyone.  Well, not really for everyone,
this is where the VIRTUAL party comes in, so just pretend that after
reading this post, you have a cute little jar or mini crown cookies and Sixlets to
take home with you.  Use your imagination.


Royal Baby Shower Cookies

Callye and Georganne both gave birth last week to beautiful little girls.
With such talented and special mommies, they are sure to grow up 
to be little cookie princesses.



Royal Baby Shower Cookies

Royal Baby Shower Cookies


Now....let's look at all of the Royal Cookies the other attendees made!







Congratulations Callye and Georganne.

Thank you Hani, Michelle and Mike for organizing this and inviting me, it was an honor
to be included in this Royal Event!



This post might be linked up at the link parties found Here

Apr 14, 2014

White Chocolate Covered Bunny Pretzels

Here at The Cookie Puzzle, I am all about quick and simple.

Easter is like, almost here, and I have yet to post anything
Easter.  So...today...here you go...

QUICK
and 
SIMPLE!


Easter Pretzels

I found these Bunny Pretzels at Target, a long time ago.  Like maybe 
a month ago, when Easter stuff first made it's appearence in the stores.
As soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted to dip them, I knew 
I wanted to blog about them, then LIFE happened.

You know how it is, don't ya?  Work, home, spring, TV, books, 
kiddos, other blog posts, Candy Crush, you know....
IMPORTANT STUFF!

Well....I found them in the cabinet this past weekend, 
and got to work.

I dipped these in Candiquick.
This is my first time using it, and I AM IN LOVE!
Historically, I have always used Almond Bark to dip
stuff in.  Well, after using this, I will never go back to
Almond Bark.  Candiquick is so smooth, 
melts beautifully and more importantly, it 
tastes AMAZING!  I highly recommend it!



Easter Pretzels


These are quick, easy, tasty!  You can whip them up in no time, and fill
a jar for a friend, or eggs for the kiddos, or eat them all yourself, 
I will not judge you.

This post might be linked up at the link parties found Here


Apr 9, 2014

Cookies for iPads - A Call for Help


The following is a Facebook Post from one of my FAVORITE






Attention Bakers!! Our Third Annual "Light the Night with Hope" lantern lighting for April Autism Awareness Month will be Saturday April 26th. This is the biggest event of the year and we need cookies for Cookiepalooza! If you can bake this year, please mark your calendars. All shipments can be sent to: SBS c/o Cookies for iPads 800 Park Ave W. Mansfield,OH 44906. Please share with all bakers!



Cookies for iPads


Cookies for iPads is very near and dear to my heart!  If you look on my navigation bar, you will see a whole page dedicated to them, see it?  Here it is!  

I have featured them on my blog several time, Melissa, the founder, did a guest post last year, you can read it HERE! If I could describe them in one word, it would be AMAZING!  Here is the low down on them, they bake cookies, sell cookies, use the money to purchase iPads for children with Autism.  How cool is that?  Pretty cool I think!  


Cookies for iPads

With their annual Cookiepalooza quickly coming up, I am putting the call out once again!    I am using my blog and Facebook page, asking, asking and shamelessly begging for help for Cookies for iPads.


 Today, I am giving you three options to choose from, if you are willing and able to help this wonderful organization.

1. BAKE

 If you are a baker, and would like to send something to the bake sale, that would be great.  Packages can be sent to: 


SBS 
c/o Cookies for iPads
 800 Park Ave W. 
Mansfield,OH 44906


    The bake sale is Saturday, April 26th, in Ohio.  They will take ANY and ALL baked goods, they are not picky.  Do you bake a wonderful chocolate chip cookie?  Send it!  Do you have a favorite banana bread recipe?  SEND it!  The point being, if you love to bake, and want to help this amazing organization, bake and send it, they will greatly appreciate it!


2. Make a Purchase at the Thirty-One Fundraiser Party
 
 Do you LOVE Thirty-One products?  Do you want to help out Cookies for iPads?  Great....I am here to make it easy for you!  




I am hosting a Thirty-One Fundraiser party!  If you make a purchase, 20% of the total party will be donated to Cookies for iPads.  We are leaving the party up until April 28th, so you have time to decide what you want.

 Click on the Cookies for iPads Fundraiser, and make a purchase

Melissa, from Thirty-One, will also be hosting a Facebook Party.  Here she will be live chatting, talking about monthly specials and answering questions.  The party will be Monday April 21st, from 8-8:30 pm, Central Time.  You can join the party HERE

I am pretty new to Thirty-One products, having just placed my first order, but I can tell you, I am in LOVE with them!  They are so well made, and the colors and patterns make my heart SING!

A special shout out to Melissa from My Recent Favorite Reads, for all of her help with this party!  She is our consultant, a fellow blogger and a Autism Warrior Mom!  Thank you so much Melissa!

3. Send iTunes Cards
 
If you are not a baker, and don't need/want a Thirty-One Product, you can still help.
    While Cookies for iPads give needy children iPads, the apps for some of the programs needed, can be         pretty expensive.  If you want to help, you can send iTunes cards!  Cookies for iPads, will then in turn,         give them to children/families to help then defer the cost of some of these apps.  ITune cards and                   monetary donations can be sent to   
SBS 
c/o Cookies for iPads
 800 Park Ave W. 
Mansfield,OH 44906






_____________________________________________

Now that I have told you how your can help this organization, I thought I would share some personal experiences with Cookies for iPads.



In October of 2012, I received a package in the mail, with a card.  I was expecting some t-shirts I had ordered from Cookies for iPads, but I was shocked at the card in the box!


Dear Kim,
On behalf of Cookies for iPads, here is an iPad for Collin! 
How can I say thank you for being a part of helping us reach 20 iPads, or all of the cookies you and your cookie friends sent? 
Well…by sending your amazing son the iPad he deserves! May God rich him greatly with this device in ways we can not yet see!
Love,
Melissa and the Team at Cookies for iPads



Yes, in the box was not t-shirts, but an iPad for Collin!

Cookies for iPads


Did you read that note carefully?  20 iPads were given out!  20 iPads!  How did they do that?  Well, when I found out they were having their annual Cookiepalooza Bake Sale, I put the word out!  I contacted all my cookie and baking friends, asking if they would be willing to bake cookies and send them to Cookies for iPads, the response was OVERWHELMING!



Cookies for iPads




Personally, I find this just AMAZING!  And I want it to happen again this year!  I was chatting with Melissa, from Cookies for iPads, and the need this year is just as big, if not bigger.  They have also expanded the areas they help with, they want to help put in a playground at the Autism School, and send a couple special kiddos to camp.  So the need is great, and the bakers are few, so I am asking for help.  Bake, buy, support, spread the word....do what you can...every little bit helps!




If you are a supporter of Cookies for iPads, I had the amazing Melanie from Adorability Designs, create this cute little button for me, feel free to grab it, and display it on your blog.....it will direct your readers to the Cookies for iPads Facebook page.







This post might be linked up at the link parties found Here