Gourmet Cookie Bouquets Recipe Blog

All those beautifully iced cookies you see online that make up cookie bouquets are created using Royal Icing. It works especially well when making cookie bouquets or decorating cookies that you are going to mail somewhere because it dries hard and holds up well.  Royal icing decorated cookies will arrive looking as good as they did when you decorated them.

Standard royal icing recipes call for powdered sugar, meringue powder and water. Basically, the water is added until you achieve the desired consistency.  You can find meringue powder in upscale grocery stores and craft stores such as Michael’s (in the cake decorating section).

Here is a great Royal Icing Recipe to get you started on your delicious creations!
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Standard Royal Icing Recipe
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar – sifted
3 Tbsp. meringue powder
6 to 8 Tbsp. water (depending on consistency desired)

In a bowl, combine the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Then add water a little bit at a time (until the desired consistency) beating with an electric mixer on medium speed. NOTE – a thicker consistency (6 Tbsp water) is used for outlining the cookie while a thinner ‘flow’ consistency is used to flood thecookies inside the outline. If you’d like almond flavored icing, consider substituting 2 Tbsp. almond extract for the first 2 Tbsp. of water.

After the icing is fully mixed and the desired consistency, just divide it up and add color.  Keep the icing containers covered until you are ready to use the icing as it will turn hard quickly.

Are you looking for a way to spice up your snacking?  Snack mixes with savory ingredients is the perfect way!  Nutty, crunchy and crispy ingredients blend with spices for a taste explosion!

Snack mixes are perfect for the big game, family gatherings or any time you’re looking for a good snack.

Savory Reindeer Mix

INGREDIENTS

* 2 cups Bugles®
* 2 cups square-shaped cheese flavored crackers
* 2 cups pretzel sticks
* 1 cup Corn Chex® cereal
* 1 cup bite-size shredded wheat
* 1 cup pecan halves
* 1/2 cup butter, melted
* 1 tablespoon maple syrup
* 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* 3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, combine the butter, syrup, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning and cayenne; pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat.
2. Transfer to an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 250 degrees F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Super Snack Mix

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup canola oil
* 1 jar Orville Redenbacher Butter oil
* 2 packages dry ranch dressing mix
* 1 box Cheez-Its
* 2 bags oyster crackers
* 1 bags chow mein noodles
* 1 box Ritz mini cheese & crackers
* 1 bag crunchy Cheetos
* 2 cans mixed nuts
* 1 can cashews
* 1 box Crispix cereal

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients in a large garbage bag. Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. We use a huge roaster pan but you can also spread out the snack mix on cookie sheets (which shortens baking time). Store in ziploc bags, makes a huge batch (about 4 gallon size ziploc bags).

Snack mixes are a great “throw together” treat for any occasion.  You can also put your favorite snack mix in a decorative jar or tin for that perfect “just because” gift.

Below are my 2 favorite sweet snack mixes that will have you hooked after the first handful!

Fritos Sweet Snack Mix

INGREDIENTS

*2 cups brown sugar
*2 sticks butter
*1/2 cup Karo® syrup
*1 box rice Chex®
*1 bag Fritos®
*1 can peanuts or mixed nuts (I used peanuts)
*1 bag M&M’s®

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients (minus the M&M’s).
2. Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil.
3. Pour caramel mixture over the mix and stir.
4. Spread in two 9×13 cake pans.
5. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes, stir and bake another 8 minutes.
6. Pour in brown paper bag to cool, mixing every so often to keep from clumping together. 7. Once totally cool, add M&M’s.

Puppy Chow

INGREDIENTS

*9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
*1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
*1/2 cup peanut butter
*1/4 cup butter or margarine
*1 teaspoon vanilla
*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Have you been hit by Spring Fever yet?  Here’s a delicious trifle desert that is bursting with sweet, juicy fruit flavor along with a creamy texture.

Ingredients:

* 4 cups fresh ripe peaches (about 5 large or 7 medium peaches)
* 3 Tbsp sugar
* 1 – 16 oz loaf of frozen pound cake, thawed and cut into 1 inch cubes
* 1 – 12 oz container Cool Whip, thawed
* 2 (3.9 oz) packages of instant vanilla pudding
* 3 cups of milk
* 1/4 cup slivered almonds

Directions:

1. Peel the peaches and slice into segments. Put in glass bowl and sprinkle them with sugar. Toss and let stand for 20 minutes or until juicy.

2. Prepare pudding by putting the mixes in a bowl and adding the 3 cups of milk. Beat on low speed for about 2 minutes or until it starts to thicken slightly.

3. Place 1/2 of the cubed pound cake in the bottom of the trifle bowl. Then 1/2 of the vanilla pudding spreading to make a nice layer. Then put in 1/2 of the peach slices (we don’t use all the juice). Then 1/2 of the Cool Whip. Be sure to use a spatula to even out each layer. Repeat the process again adding the rest of the cake, then pudding, thenpeaches , then cool whip.

4. Cover the trifle and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Sprinkle the top with the slivered almonds just prior to serving.

Here’s another fun and delicious cookie to make for Valentine’s Day!  The center each heart shaped cookie is a sparkling red heart-shaped “window”.   This amazing cookie is easy to make and the results are breath-taking.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/3 cup crushed clear red hard candy (Life Savers or Jolly Ranchers)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a 4-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour. Cut out centers with a 1-1/4-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter; set aside to re-roll. Place cookies 1 in. apart on lightly greased foil-lined baking sheets. Fill centers with crushed candy.

Bake at 375  for 7-9 minutes or until candy is melted and edges of cookies begin to brown. Cool completely on baking sheets. Carefully peel cookies off foil.

Here’s another great recipe to whip up this Valentine’s Day!  Heart cut-outs show the raspberry filling for a fun and sweet Valentine Treat!

I like raspberry best for my filling, but you can try other preserves like strawberry, cherry, etc.

INGREDIENTS:
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 3/4 cup butter softened
* 1 cup seedless raspberry preserves
* 1/3 cup powdered sugar

*3 or 4 inch heart-shaped cookie cutter & 1 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter

DIRECTIONS:
1.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Next with a pastry blender or two knives used scissor-fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle 4 to 5 tablespoons cold water ( 1 tablespoon at time) into the flour mixture, mixing lightly with a fork after each addition until dough is just moist enough to hold together. Shape dough into a ball then wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll one-third of the dough at a time 1/8 inch thick, keeping the remaining dough refrigerated. With a floured 3 or 4 inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut dough into as many hearts as possible. Place the hearts 1/2 inches apart  on an ungreased large cookie sheet. Keep the trimmings. With a floured 1 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out centers from half of hearts. Remove cutout centers, and bake along with larger cookies, checking after 7 minutes for doneness.

3. Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. Move cookies to wire racks to cool. Combine remaining dough and trimmings together to make more cookies.

4. When cookies are cool, sprinkle cookies with cutout centers with powdered sugar. Spread each cookie without cutout center with 1 rounded teaspoon raspberry preserves; top each with a center cut-out cookie, gently pressing cookies together to form a sandwich. Store in tightly covered container.

Here’s a great dessert that is both pretty to look at and delicious to eat!   Layering just a few ingredients in a trifle bowl makes for an impressive presentation.  Perfect for a Valentine brunch or romantic dinner for 2!

You do need to plan for this dessert ahead of time, as it needs to chill for 8 hours or overnight.

Valentine’s Day is approaching fast!  We’ve just unveiled 2 new fun and delicious Valentine cookie bouquets for your sweetheart!

Our gourmet cookie bouquets are created from delicious butter creme cookies, baked fresh daily and professionally hand-decorated. Cookies are approximately 4-5″ tall, depending on shape.  Each bouquet is artfully arranged and carefully packaged for shipment to insure it arrives safely.

Our first new design really packs a punch!  Let your Valentine know you think they’re a real knockout!  We’ve decorated cookies shaped like boxing gloves, boxer shorts and heart for a unique and unforgettable gift!  Perfect for the hard-to-buy-for man in your life!

The next new bouquet is our “Sending My Love” cookie bouquet.  Sweetly decorated mailboxes, lips, hearts and an evelope sealed with a kiss make up this fun bouquet.  Whether your Valentine is near or far, go straight to their heart (or stomach!) with a delcious cookie bouquet!

Prices start at $28 and we ship them straight to their door!

I see romance in your future!  For a unique gift this Valentine’s Day, consider a gourmet chocolate or caramel dipped fortune cookie!

If it’s variety you’re looking for, choose our tin of 18 or 24 fortune cookies dipped in caramel, milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate (or an assortment).  We sprinkle each one with pink, red and white candy heart sprinkles for a festive look. Choose our Love and Romance messages, standard fortune cookie messages, or a number of other fortune themes.

If you’d like to add a personal touch to your Valentine’s Day gift, choose our giant fortune cookie. You can specify what you would like the fortune to say, and we will neatly tuck it away inside of the cookie!  Imagine their surprise when they crack open their fortune cookie to find a heartfelt message from you!  Our giant gourmet fortune cookies weigh nearly a pound and measure 7″ wide x 4″ tall x 6″ deep (about the size of two hands).

Ring in the New Year with the festive bouquet overflowing with cookies to celebrate the season. 

The 9 cookie version of the bouquet comes with 2 champagne flute, one clock, 4 celebration balloon, and one champagne bottle-shaped cookies.  The large cookies each measure about 5 to 6″ tall and about 3/8″ thick depending on the cookie design. We also add a center cookie where you can add a personal message. This stylish cookie gift is available in 5 different sizes with prices starting at just $29.

Buy the Happy New Year Cookie Bouquet Today!