custom california cookies

I have too many cookie cutters.  When I first met Nate, the only cookie cutter I owned was a round biscuit cutter.  I lived in a 420 square foot condo with a tiny galley kitchen, probably better suited for apartment-sized appliances than the large high-end ones that ended up there.   In any case, I didn’t have room for cookie cutters and didn’t really see the need; I was satisfied to pipe my own designs onto circles.

Fast forward 4.5 years… After years of birthday, holiday, and just because gifts, I have a LOT of cookie cutters.  My cookie cutters consume an entire Crate and Barrel box that once contained most of our dishware.   Needless to say, I don’t see the need to purchase more cookie cutters.  NOT having the appropriate shape has forced me to exercise creativity (see here) or ingenuity (see below.)

So when I received a request for cookies shaped like the state of California, I decided to custom cut the shapes rather than purchase another cookie cutter.  Not everything I attempt in the kitchen works out, so I get pretty excited when I try and succeed.

Step 1: Print or draw shape on standard printer paper.
Step 2: Glue image to piece of very thin cardboard.
Step 3: Using really fantastic scissors or an exacto knife, cut the shape very carefully, taking care around the fine edges.
Step 4: Place shape on top of pre-rolled frozen cookie dough.  Using a very sharp knife, cut the shape from the dough.  Here is the only piece of advice I have to offer here: roll the dough first and then freeze for several hours.  As the dough warms, it will become increasingly difficult to cut the shape by hand.
Step 5: Bake, cool, and decorate.