Autumn | Baked Goods | Cookies | Holiday | Thanksgiving

It’s High Time for Pie Time

By on 20 November, 2019

Gobble Gobble! I am amazed that Turkey-Time is upon us. This year, I tried to practice daily thankfulness moments. I have an adorable Turkey-on-the-Table (which benefits Feed More) where I add a feather and something I’m thankful for daily. It may seem a little silly, but in my extremely formal office, I really enjoy adding a little decoration for the season.

Naked Turkey before his thankful feathers were added

In my opinion, the most iconic Thanksgiving dessert is clearly Pumpkin Pie. It’s autumnal and comforting. I was asked to make an order of decorated cookies for our office Thanksgiving luncheon and decided to turn the iconic dessert into a sugar cookie!

I love perusing Pinterest for ideas and inspiration, but I ended up taking my own spin on the Mini Cookie Pies. I love the simplicity of the sugar cookie with one later of frosting and the crimpled crust versus piping on a faux crust. I happened to have a hand pie cutter with a plunger that was the perfect tool for the job!

Cut and Stamped “Crust”

I’m a little bit of a perfectionist, so I searched and searched for something to help me evenly divide my pie into 6 slices with minimal effort. As luck has it, my strainers are PERFECT!!!!

Once the crust was marked, I could easily slice through it with my rotary cutter, aka a pizza cutter). My slices aren’t all 100% perfect, but as long as I keep each pie together, the pies fit and look 100% adorable.

Baked Cookie Crusts

It’s crucial to chill the dough if it has been stamped. It helps the cookies retain their impressions. I tried to take a shortcut as the evening progressed, and it didn’t turn out favorably. (As a bonus, it meant I had some cookies for tasting!)

I added a quick layer of frosting and let the crimpled crust show through. Before the frosting set, I added a quick sprinkle of Nutmeg. You could just as easily use a pumpkin pie spice mix (Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, and Allspice) or any of the other spices individually. I personally favor Nutmeg, and I like the thicker grain of it (I grate whole Nutmeg at home).

I spent some time thinking of cute simple sayings to add to my pies (and a bonus cookie) as I stumbled through my designs in my Silhouette Library; I found the most adorable Owl dressed as a Pilgrim.

Royal Icing Transfers

*Side Story, my Great Gram LOVED birds. All Birds. She always kept a collection of bird feeders filled outside our kitchen windows so she could watch the birds and yell at the squirrels. On one occasion, she was given an owl, and of course, loved and appreciated it, but it started a trend of people gifting her things with owls. (Pro Tip: Unless you want to be gifted with ALL the animal things… pick an obscure animal, like an Ocelot). I grew up with owls (and elephants) all over the house, so it warms my heart to see owls. 

I wanted simple phrases that could also be added to the pie slices letter-by-letter. (6 slices, 6 letter words) “Gather” and “Gobble”. I’m also a lady who likes her options, so I’m still noodling on additional ideas.

I was glad this order was so successful on my first attempt on making these adorable little treats. It was my first attempt at layering royal icing transfers, and I confirmed my thought that I needed to chill my dough. My shortcut of pressing and baking resulted in plain triangle cookies. (Or as I like to call them, delicious mistakes).

I couldn’t wait to try out my hexagon cutter ahead of a December order! I think it turned out precious!

All the cookies pies are boxed and ready for delivery. I can’t wait to share!

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Baked Goods | Comfort Food | Pie

Roll it Out: It’s a Day Full of Pie!

By on 21 November, 2017

In honor of my two youngest nephews visiting, we decided to have a make your own pie night! We made the dough, rolled it out, added our sauce and everyone could choose their own toppings!!! It is always more fun when little hands are helping in the kitchen.

Both boys opted for simple toppings of Pepperoni and Black Olives. My adventurer, opted for a more flavorful crust brushed with Olive Oil and some Italian Seasoning! Mr. Ocelot followed their lead, but added some onions. I was the odd man out with a Loaded Baked Potato, Stuffed-Crust Pie!

To finish the meal, we made yet another pie! One of my absolute favorite fruit pies! Strawberry Rhubarb with a Lattice Top! It is the perfect balance between sweet and tart!

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