Rock Chalk! Jayhawk!

UPDATED POST:

I created these KU Jayhawk cookies for my daughter's school auction.  I was planning on donating Easter cookies, but when the Jayhawks won their division and moved on to the Final Four, these cookies seemed like an obvious choice.  Plus, I knew that we have some HUGE Jayhawk fans at the school, so I had a feeling that they would be a big hit!

I had gotten the Jayhawk cookie cutter for Christmas, but hadn't had a really good opportunity to use it, until now! It was pretty complicated, but very fun!  I took artistic licence with two tiny details, but other than that  they are pretty true to form.

I had fun making a bracket with KU as the National Champion, only time will tell if it was a good prediction!

For the jersey's I did a ton of research.  I found out that in the semi-final game, KU would be the "home" team and wear white (which I was thankful for because the more color a cookie has in it the more likely it might taste a little funky).  Also, I thought the white would contrast with the colorful Jayhawks better in the box.  I picked the numbers, 0, 10, 5, 25, and 2, by looking at the roster and picking the three seniors, the one center, and the one junior who is from my hometown.  

Well, it was a HUGE success! Several families were bidding for the cookies, and in the end, they raised almost $100 for the school!

Rock Chalk!
Sarah

Thanks Coach!

Basketball season is coming to a close.  At our house, Reader R., who LOVES basketball, played on a team for the first time this year.  She played with a great league called Upward.  We have LOVED Upward!  It was a wonderful, non-competitive, all positive experience for my young basketball player!

The Upward Magnet - The Inspiration

At the beginning of the season, she was given this magnet.  I thought that it would make a really cool cookie.  It took quiet a bit of cookie engineering and used several different techniques to pull it off but I am REALLY pleased with the results.  (This was by FAR the most complicated cookie I have tried to date.)  First, I used the magnet as a template to hand cut the dough.  

The Upward Logo: Cookie-d

Thanks Coach!

Then, I made and colored the royal icing.  I didn't realize how tricky it could be to get just the right color when you are copying a real object.  (It doesn't really matter what color green you make your Christmas trees, but you don't want to butcher a logo.)  

Next, I created a royal icing transfer of the star and the lettering. (I figured that way, if I messed it up it would be easier to do it over.)  I stuck the magnet to the back of a cookie sheet and covered it with baking parchment, so I could "trace" the shape, since it was not symmetrical.

The "Boo-Boo Stick" 
Purchase 3 today at Karen's Cookies
(www.karenscookies.net) for only $0.69  each!

The next step was to outline and flood the outer stripes.  I used a wet-on-wet technique to do this.  I had some trouble getting the light blue stripe to vary consistently from thin to thick and not to spread where I didn't want it to.  I also have a hard time working out exactly how much flood to use to fill the space, so sometimes I have some overflow issues.  Then I use another FANCY technique called "Cookie SCRAPING."  For this technique, I use an amazing tool - THE BOO BOO STICK!  I have several of these and could not cookie without them.  Basically, I use the flat edge to scrap the icing off the cookie in the places where it didn't go where I wanted it to and start over.  (It is also helpful in lifting your cookie from the decorating tray when you have over-flooded and overflowed and you didn't realize it until the cookie is dry and STUCK to the tray.)  I also use it to poke out my frosting air bubbles and the pointy end is handy for cleaning out decorating tips.

After that I outlined the basketball and then flooded the navy field and the light blue ball and then after that was dry, I went back and top dressed the ball.  Finally, after it had dried some, I used a thin coat of royal icing to "glue" the transfer on.  I put it in a box with a half-dozen basketball cookies, and I think it makes a nice "Thank You" gift for my daughter's coach.
 

One of the moms from another team in the league, ordered celebration cookies for her son and daughter's teams.  I made a few extra cookie for their coaches, too!  Thanks Angie!

New"In-Motion" Basketballs...
look more like the real thing
(compare to the basketballs in the 1st photo).

Do you know of a basketball team that is celebrating a fun season or a coach that should be thanked for his or her time, encouragement, and hard work?  Or do you need cookies to help celebrate March Madness?  Call or e-mail Sarah today to place your order!

Thanks!
Sarah

Happy Homemaker Bakes Some Love

I had a "ball" making these sports cookies!

I am so excited to share my love of cookies with you.  I like to say that "I bake the special homemade treats for when you don't have time to..."  I specialize in frosted sugar cookies, but can also bake cakes, make cupcakes, and other yummy goodies.

Sarah's Sweet Shoppe is a home-based bakery.  I do all of my baking in my family kitchen.  My cookies are delicious sugar cookies with a fluffy frosting.  Until this webpage is up and running, you can see examples of some of my work on my facebook page under "photos." 

I think the cookies are most special when they reflect the personality of the person being celebrated... so I am happy to brainstorm ideas with you or take your idea and run with it! 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 913-709-1992 or e-mail me at sarahlrose@everestkc.net.