Cookie Art

My son has a great fondness, dare I even say love, for a sweet girl that was in his class last year. He wrote letters, finger-knitted bracelets and tried to woo her in any way his seven-year-old self could. Late this past Spring, he came home and triumphantly announced that she loved him too, and all was right in his world until June, when he suddenly realized that the impending arrival of the school year's end was right around the corner. He was so fraught with worry over when he would see her again that I promised him I would try to arrange for a play-date with her at some point before she left for five weeks holiday with her family.

That arranged play-date, to my son's utter delight, took place this week. To be honest, I haven't entertained many girls in our home yet. My niece visits once in while but she's so easy going that she just joins in with whatever my boys are doing, so I haven't had to plan a specific-activity yet. I knew that this girl who was coming over was a very "girly girl" and playing adventurers and Lego's wasn't going to cut it. So, while my son readied his room, made his brother's bed (yes, he didn't think his older brother was capable of doing a good job on the bed himself) and sprayed air-freshener through the house (I kid you, not), I prepared a cookie art project for the kids to enjoy together.

I'm happy to report that, while initially a tad uncomfortable (I think the month apart made the kids a little awkward with each other), the play-date went quite well and the cookie art was huge success. I think this would also make for a great activity at a birthday party...a nice alternative to plain cookie decorating.

This was done by making a simple sugar cookie dough, which I rolled out and cut into "canvases" - square cookies that could be painted. We place the cookies in the fridge to chill and made a large bowl of egg wash, which we divided into smaller bowls and tinted with food colouring. The kids painted on their canvasses, and then we baked the cookies and everyone enjoyed some edible art.

If you're looking for an activity for the kids on the holiday weekend, give this a try...I'm sure you'll all pleased that you did. Happy Friday, friends!

Cookie Art, adapted from Martha Stewart

4 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Assorted liquid food coloring, for decorating
Egg Wash (4 eggs and 4 tbsp cold water)

~ Line two baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

~ In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder and cinnamon and set aside.

~ In the bowl of an electric mixer fitter with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one a time and beat well. Mix in the vanilla.

~ Add the flour mixture to the butter. Mix until well combines. Place the dough out on a sheet of parchment paper. Cover with another sheet of parchment and roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into squares, or "canvasses".

~ Place the squares on the lined cookie sheets and place in the fridge for 15 minutes.

~ Combine the eggs and water to make an egg wash. Divide the wash into a few smaller bowls and tint with food colouring.

~ Remove the cookies, decorated with paint brushes and place in the oven for 13 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack once out of the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

~ Store in an air-tight container for up to three days.

~ Enjoy!