Cookie Party

Lizbeth Holstein

For the last five years we have organized a Cookie Party for the children at church. I bake about 120 unleavened cookies in all kinds of shapes and then we have a party where the children decorate the cookies. The icing is great because it hardens and is easier to package. Then on the next Sabbath or Holy Day, whichever comes first, the children hand the cookies out to the elderly at services. We also mail them out to the shut-ins in our area.

One year we made soap as well as cookies, but we have a little problem with some of the elderly not reading the note which stated, "Do not eat. This is soap". They got a big surprise and learned glycerin does not taste good! Fortunately, the ones that did it thought it was hilarious! Phew!

This is such an fun and amazing project! The children get to serve the elderly and they LOVE it. I think it really builds a sense of family within the congregation and helps build character in the children. The kids in our congregation are such an amazing blessing. They are all very well behaved and ready to help.

Here are the recipes we use (I got them from Color A Cookie), in case anyone wants to try this at home.

Butterscotch Shortbread

Makes about 30 cookies.

• 1/2 cup softened margarine or butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine butter, shortening, vanilla and sugars in a bowl. Stir in flour and salt. Mix well with your hands. This makes a dry dough. Sheet dough with rolling pin on lightly floured surface. Sheet to about 3/8" to 1/2" inch thick. Cut out your favorite shapes with cookie cutters. Lay them on a cookie sheet about 1" apart and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.These cookies will change in color and shape only slightly.

Smooth Coat Base Icing

Makes 3 cups of Smooth Coat base icing. I let the kids use food dye and pick colors they like and then they sprinkle all kinds of sprinkles on them.

• 3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar
• 3 Tablespoons meringue powder
• 8 Tablespoons warm water

Beat 4 to 4 1/2 minutes on medium speed. Lift the icing out with a spoon and let it drizzle back in. If the drizzle settles in time it takes to count to between 5 and 10 then the mix is the correct consistency. Add more confectioners sugar by the tablespoons to make stiffer and more water by the teaspoons to make thinner.

To apply the icing you can either dip the face of the cookie or apply with a pastry brush.