Trio of Angels
My mother loved angels and had many of them around the house. She treasured an alabaster pin of an angel carrying a child that her mother had given to her. One of her favorite Christmas songs was “Guardian Angels” sung by Mario Lanza and I must admit that when I’m missing her I listen to that song and feel warm and cozy. So it’s no wonder that when holiday baking starts, one of the first cutout cookies I make are angels in one form or another. Along with Santa and Christmas trees, these heavenly messengers speak clearly of the miracle of the season.
“Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” G.K. Chesterton
These angel cookies are made from my mother’s favorite cookie recipe, the Classic Sugar Cookie. I decorated them with vanilla-bean glaze and embellished their wings and haloes with lots of sparkling sugar crystals. A tiny red heart symbolizes the love my mother and I have for them.
Cookie specifics
Classic Sugar Cookie. This classic sugar cookie brings back memories of the Christmas cookies my mother made during the holidays...with a bold vanilla flavor and slightly soft texture, they make me smile every time I eat one.
Shapes
standing angels, flying angels, baby angels, grown-up angels
Sizes
Sizes range from mini (2 inches) to large (4-5 inches). 2½ to 3 inches is my favorite size for decorating and eating!
Old Family Recipe
Classic Sugar Cookie. A recipe based on one from Mrs. Gregor, a neighbor of my mom’s when she was a newlywed.
Cookies
Classic Sugar Cookies: flour, butter, granulated sugar, egg, pure vanilla extract, baking powder, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Glaze: sugar, water, corn syrup, pure vanilla extract
Sprinkles: Tiny red hearts, white stars and hearts, white and gold sparkling sugar
Plate, Box or Bag?
Paper Plate. Depending on the occasion, when I’m transporting my cookies locally, I occasionally arrange them on a sturdy Chinet paper plate and wrap the whole thing in clear plastic wrap. This is a safe way to get them from my house to the event I’m attending.
Bags. I like to give an angel cookie to friends and acquaintances so I wrap them individually in clear, food-safe bags, secured with a twist tie. It makes for a cute little gift that says “Merry Christmas” without requiring a gift in return.
Mailing. I often include angels in an assortment of holiday cookies that I mail to my family and friends throughout the U.S. I always send them Priority Mail through the U.S. Post Office. I use the boxes provided by the Post Office and lots of bubble wrap! In almost all cases, the cookies arrive undamaged. I know the packages are appreciated when they arrive because of the texts I get with all those smiling faces.
What I’ve learned...
These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find and baked in a small batch of two dozen. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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