Martha Stewart Show

Press Dough is going to the Martha Stewart (blogging) show on Thursday, January 14, 2010! As an audience member, I will be sending out twitter (@pressdough) updates. Make sure you are following. Join me to hear about "Martha" news, what it is like to be in the studio, and how often Martha actually blogs. I'll be sure to post a complete recap of the show. Stay tuned.

Got any questions for Martha? Beginning at 6:30am (EST), I'll be taking the train into the city and checking my twitter account. Show starts at 10 a.m.!

Smiley Face Cookies

Make someones day or send out get well wishes with smiley faces. Did you ever hear the phrase: If you smile at someone, they will always smile back? Why not spread some happiness with smiley face cookies:

This month's family circle has the DIY recipe for creating these happy sweet snacks. An easier way to create the same results are with cookie tattoos. Completely edible, just peel and stick onto any frosted or fondant surface. No need for food coloring messes or piping bag complications.

Fun Cookie Facts

Happy New Year!

2010

Get motivated for some baking! January is the perfect month to nestle yourself in the kitchen, try out some new cookie recipes and have fun. Here are some cookie facts from faqfood.com to get you started:

1. Testing out cake batter and oven temperatures, ancient bakers created the cookie by placing a small amount of batter on a sheet and baking that first.
2. Chocolate chip cookies are the most popular kind of cookie in the United States (tip: good to keep this in mind when baking for others).
3. Cookies are best either fresh out of the oven (warm) or the day after they are baked. Waiting a day lets the flavors absorb with each other.
4. If you seal up freshly baked cookies, they will retain too much moisture and fall apart.

2010 Cookie Talk Blog Resolutions:

• Post more often
• Share new cookie recipes
• Increase participation and information exchange (please leave a comment with an inquiry, suggestion, or recipe exchange)
• Talk about baking experiences and old wives tales (that actually work).
• Review gadgets for baking (Have a gadget for me to review, send me an email?)

Halloween Fun with Edible Cookie Tattoos

Halloween Party Fun!

Get your Halloween party started this year by involving your little ghouls and goblins. Baking cookies and cupcakes can be so much fun when you add a little flare. Try these tips:

1. Don't go crazy with "made from scratch" baking. A box of cake mix and tub of frosting satisfies your little chef's need to help and their somewhat limited attention span. In our house we used marble cake mix to create these fun-sized cupcakes. Scooping the batter out and squeezing the chocolate on top in the shape of a smiley face provided the "big girl/boy" feeling and yet creative enough to maintain their interest.

2. What child doesn't love tattoos? Edible tattoos are great fun for kids. Each 3 1/2" round tattoo can be applied to a simple round cookie/cupcake by peeling and sticking to frosting. For extra fun, I have the kids cut around the shape (i.e. scared cat or pumpkin) and stick onto these mini cupcakes. Crafts and cooking all in one. Just imagine how proud the party goers will be to make their own snacks!

3. Don't forget to allow time for licking!!

Happy Father's Day

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Cookies For a Cause

Press Dough bakes up over 200 cookies for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at

Brentapalooza 2009!

Using our own "Ultimate Cookie Cutout Recipe", over 200 B-shaped cookie cutouts will be handed out at a fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Wrapped up individually with our recipe card, these tasty treats are a great thank-you.

A Bucket of Rocks

Today, I went to visit my son’s kindergarten class. He will begin school tomorrow. In his eyes, I saw the apprehension and anxiety of starting this new phase. He is scared and I can’t blame him. I am too.

After coming home, I sat in our backyard watching my son throw his “collection” of rocks from a recent beach trip, into the marsh (we have tall reeds as part of a conservation area). With each rock, I began to imagine he was throwing his feelings of fear, apprehension, and anxiety away. The higher and farther the toss, the longer it would take for those emotions to creep back.

There is always humor to lighten the load. While searching for a pic, I found this "bucket of rocks". It gave me a chuckle. I hope it does the same for you.

Today's Question: What would you throw away with your own rocks?

Today's saying: A cookie a day keeps the fears away. It's all good.