Batson Cookies

So sorry for my absence.  This has been a long, hard month in the pediatric ICU.  The past 5 times I've been on call I have slept less than an hour, with NO sleep for the past three.  We've had several tragic cases with too many children passing away...but I still love what I do.  Someone needs to be there to take care of not only the kids but their families as well.  And so many times, kids DO get better...and can even surprise you with how well they do!  That is why, when we were charged as Daring Bakers to decorate sugar cookies to represent what September means to us I decided to do the logo of the children's hospital where I work,

Blair Batson Children's Hospital.  The September 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mandy of “What the Fruitcake?!” Mandy challenged everyone to make Decorated Sugar Cookies based on recipes from Peggy Porschen and The Joy of Baking. This was a fun challenge as sugar cookies are one of my favorite cookies but I've never been elaborate in my decorating.

 At first, I wasn't really pleased with how these turned out...the kite didn't really look like a kite and it just wasn't "clean."  However, once the icing firmed I thought they turned out great!  I took them to work and as soon as people pulled them out they would say "Aw!  These are BATSON cookies!  Did you make these?!" 

It was quite fun to show them off. :-)  Thank you, Mandy, for this simple but delightful challenge!!!  I thoroughly enjoyed it this month.

Basic Sugar Cookies:
Makes Approximately 36x 10cm / 4" Cookies
200g / 7oz / ½ cup + 6 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
400g / 14oz / 3 cups + 3 Tbsp All Purpose / Plain Flour
200g / 7oz / 1 cup Caster Sugar / Superfine Sugar
1 Large Egg, lightly beaten
5ml / 1 tsp Vanilla Extract / Or seeds from 1 vanilla bean
Directions
 Cream together the butter, sugar and any flavourings you’re using. Beat until just becoming
creamy in texture.Beat in the egg until well combined, make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the sifted flour and mix on low until a non sticky dough forms.  Knead into a ball and divide into 2 or 3 pieces.  Roll out each portion between parchment paper or saran wrap to a thickness of about 5mm/1/5 inch (0.2 inch) Refrigerate for a minimum of 30mins.

• Tip: Recipes commonly just wrap the whole ball of dough in clingwrap and then refrigerate it for an
hour or overnight, but by rolling the dough between parchment, this shortens the chilling time and
then it’s also been rolled out while still soft making it easier and quicker.  I LOVED this tip!!!!!

Once chilled, peel off parchment and place dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters or a sharp knife. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C Fan Assisted) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4. Bake until golden around the edges, about 8-15mins depending on the size of the cookies.

• Tip: Bake same sized cookies together otherwise mixing smaller with larger cookies could result in
some cookies being baked before others are done.  Another good tip!

  Leave to cool on cooling racks. Once completely cooled, decorate as desired.

Royal Icing: This is not the icing I used but I can't remember what I did...maybe used corn startch instead of egg whites?
315g – 375g / 11oz – 13oz / 2½ - 3 cups Icing / Confectioner’s / Powdered Sugar, unsifted
2 Large Egg Whites
10ml / 2 tsp Lemon Juice
5ml / 1 tsp Almond Extract, optional
Directions
• Beat egg whites with lemon juice until combined.
• Tip: It’s important that the bowls/spoons/spatulas and beaters you use are thoroughly cleaned and
grease free.
• Sift the icing sugar to remove lumps and add it to the egg whites.
• Tip: I’ve listed 2 amounts of icing sugar, the lesser amount is good for a flooding consistency, and the larger amount is for outlining, but you can add even more for a much thicker consistency good for writing. If you add too much icing sugar or would like to make a thinner consistency, add very small amounts of water, a few drops at a time, until you reach the consistency you need.
• Beat on low until combined and smooth.
• Use immediately or keep in an airtight container.