Monday, September 27, 2010

The Daring Bakers get creative!

This month's challenge was sugar cookies, cut in any shape we wanted, and decorated with royal icing. Sounds easy, doesn't it? The catch was that we had to work in the theme of 'September', and what it meant to us. I thought about maple leaves and back to school, but these were hardly original ideas. So, I thought a bit more. As a supply teacher, I am always looking for ideas that I can use in a lesson, in any subject and any grade. The work of Escher fits in the subjects of art and math. I decided to use his salamanders, which cleverly fit together to cover a surface.
I couldn't find any cookie cutters pre-made, so I found an image online and tried to make my own, following the instructions in the links provided by Renata. Renata is a member of the Daring Kitchen that is always so supportive and has the kindest comments. She also blogs in English and Portuguese, and her creations are beautiful, so head that way if you want to see them, and learn how to make your own cookie cutters from a foil pan. I tried, but failed to make a proper cookie cutter, as I found this design had too many sharp angles. So, I made a template from foil instead and cut around it. These salamanders should fit perfectly together, but the cookies did spread a bit in baking, leaving a few gaps in areas. Oh, and I didn't use them in a lesson, but I did learn that you shouldn't make a meal of sugar cookies and royal icing! And that food colouring stains everything.
This one lost a leg, but it'll grow back, right?
I also made some maple leaves:
And a mitten, cause it was only 6℃ the morning I made these!
Who knows what next month with the Daring Bakers will bring?
Find the challenge PDF here!

Blog-checking lines
The September 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mandy of “What the Fruitcake?!” Mandy challenged everyone to make Decorated Sugar Cookies based on recipes from Peggy Porschen and The Joy of Baking.

32 comments:

Koci said...

These cookies are so cool! I love how the salamanders fit together. Great job!

Unknown said...

I love your salamancas and how they fit into one another! I put a link on my post to yours. I hope you don't mind.
How do you do the words? They are great!

Renata said...

Mary, your idea of the fitting salamanders was fantastic! I love the way you wrote about it! Sorry to hear that the cookie cutters didn't work for you. My first attempt with the cutter was a failure, but then I got the gist of it. I actually used a little bit of each tutorial tips. Thanks for your kind words and for linking to my blog, that was very lovely. By the way, I love your heart with the stamp!

chef_d said...

Wow, these salamanders are so colorful! Love the colors you used! Great job!

Linda Vandermeer McCubbin said...

Your hear with the stamp is so cute I have always admired your little avatar cookie as well. I am hoping to make some cookie cutters from the tutorials so I hope I have some success, I really hate cutting them from templates like you had to. Lovely cookies all round.

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

A very original idea and I never thought salamanders could look cute till now. :)

I especially liked the one with the broken arm.

Fabi said...

Hi dear!
Thank you for your visit and your kind words. Your cookies are fantastic, I can't belive you did those salamanders freee hand, you're so clever. Congratulations on a great performance! Big hug from Fabi in Madrid-Spain.

Anonymous said...

I love that you made Escher inspired biscuits! They are all extremely impressive.

Suz said...

Your salamanders are so gorgeous! What a wonderful idea to make tessellating cookies. My favourite's the blue one with the swirly effect.

Eee, mittens! I love the pattern. It's quite mesmerising! :)

Mess Maker said...

I love your salamanders! Such a fantastic idea. They turned out wonderfully.

natalia said...

Ciao Mary ! I really love your shapes and colours they are fantastic I wouldn't eat them but admire them !

Tracy said...

Each one of these cookies is so beautiful! Nice job on the challenge!

Unknown said...

I love the blue lizard, lovely job

Valerie Gamine said...

I'm amazed that your salamanders did not come out of an actual cookie cutter! That made this a true Daring Bakers challenge. Beautiful work, Mary.

And you are too right about not making a meal out of the icing and cookies. I don't think I'll be eating sugar cookies again for a while. :0

shelley c. said...

Love, love, love each of the cookies you made. The salamanders are awesome - what a great idea for those. And I like the marbling on the mitten - it looks so cozy!! Amazing work, as always!! :)

Heather said...

Holy cow!!! These are AMAZING.

Christina said...

Such a cute idea! Your cookies turned out wonderfully :)

Pamela said...

Fabulous cookies, all of them! Really great.

Deeba PAB said...

Woot Mary, these are gorgeous. I love the way Renata does her stuff, and how open hearted she is too! Your salamanders are precious cute. Love what you did with the challenge!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Oh that is great, the mitt actually looks like it was knit. Wow you made you mold and I love how the cookies fit like that. Yes dinosaur legs grow back!

Cakelaw said...

All of these cookies are very cute, but I especially love the salamanders because they are so clever!

bakeinparis said...

Clever idea! I am impressed how those salamanders fit perfectly one another. And the overall color combination is beautiful :-)

Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris

Amanda said...

Beautiful cookies!! So creative! Fantastic!

Manu said...

Certainlly this was the most creative DB Challenge!
Your Salamanders are great! And I love your mitten! So cute!

Julie said...

Awesome--the world need smore MC Escher-inspired cookies!

Renuka said...

I love your salamanders and the colors are so vibrant.....esp the red! Great job !!!!
This is my first time on daring bakers and I am so glad I joined.

www.cuminandcardamom.blogspot.com

Di said...

Those look so cool! I love the salamanders. I really need to get better with royal icing; yours looks so professional!

Sirius73 said...

Love, love, love the Escher cookies! Well done! :-)

Lisa said...

Mary, as always, I am blown away by your challenge results. Your cookies are spectacular..beautiful royal icing work. I love the salamander 'puzzle' cookies. I wouldn't be looking at them long, though...LOL

Nadia said...

u made those creatures look good!

MandyM said...

I absolutely love your salamanders! What a great idea! I also really like the cute mitten :)

Great baking & thanks for taking part of the September challenge :)

Anonymous said...

These are totally amazing! I am in awe.