Sometimes a holiday and a cookie cutter meet to inspire something out of this world. That’s exactly what happened to me this year. I’ve had a shooting star cookie cutter for several years, but have only used it a few times. Suddenly the 4th of July and the shooting star cookie cutter joined forces and called my name. With these two things in mind, I was ready to develop a plan.
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Abraham Lincoln
Everyone Needs a Plan
It wasn’t difficult to envision this cookie. After all, Independence Day has its own color palette: red, white, and blue. And since I wanted to honor the holiday, I embraced it and all the other symbols of the day:
- A flag-inspired theme of stars and stripes
- A celebratory shape in the form of a shooting star
- A buttery, basic shortbread cookie that our forefathers (and foremothers) would approve
Cookie specifics
Shortbread. The combination of European butter and vanilla bean makes this classic shortbread cookie one of the yummiest cookies I make. It’s buttery, crumbly and light. Since it requires only a few basic ingredients, it’s also easy to put together on a moment’s notice.
Shapes
shooting star cookie cutter (for the cookie) and a small star cutter (for the blue fondant star)
Sizes
The shooting star is 3½" x 2". The single star is 1½" x 1½". The perfect size for decorating and eating!
Sprinkles
tiny white stars
My Family Recipes
I developed this Shortbread recipe over the course of several months in my quest to duplicate the taste and texture of a shortbread cookie from a now-closed bakery in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Once I perfected the recipe, it became a cookie that I now bake for many occasions throughout the year.
Icing & Embellishments
Glaze for Piping: This glaze/icing dries hard enough that you can stack or package the cookies without damaging the embellishments. I often use it exclusively or in combination with Royal Icing.
Glaze for Piping Recipe
Cookies
Shortbread: flour, butter, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Glaze for Piping: sugar, water, corn syrup, food coloring (optional), various extracts for flavoring (vanilla, almond, lemon, raspberry, etc.)
Sprinkles: Small white star shapes
Homemade Fondant: sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, gelatin, water, vanilla extract, food coloring (optional)
Plate, Box or Bag?
Bags. I wrapped each cookie individually in a clear, food-safe bags, secured with a twist tie. This makes the cookies stackable without causing damage to the decorations. And it also makes it easy to package for mailing.
Mailing. I mailed these cookies to my family and friends throughout the U.S. I sent them Priority Mail through the U.S. Post Office. I know the packages were appreciated and they arrived in plenty of time to enjoy while watching the fireworks. Happy Birthday, America!
What I’ve learned...
Inspiration can come from anywhere...even from a cookie cutter. 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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