Fire and Ice

It’s that time of year again, the annual Fire and Ice party!  Every year my dear friends host their Fire and Ice party around the 4^th of July.  Fire breathing, ice shots, flaming shots – if it is related to fire or ice, you can bet it will make an appearance. 

Thinking: Fire or Ice?  What to bring?  No matter who is hosting, or what type of party, for some reason I always feel compelled to bake.  I love baking – it is my hobby after all.  I do wonder if there will ever be a day that I’ll just pick up a 6 pack or a bottle of wine instead of going to the great lengths of whipping something up in the kitchen.  Doubt it.  It’s way too much fun.

Last year I made cupcakes – regular vanilla with vanilla frosting.  I did red and blue sprinkles to stick with the fire and ice theme.  This year, I wanted to get more patriotic.  The 4^th had already passed, but sticking with the signature tune of stars and stripes, I decided to make my famous sugar cookies – in a star format of course!  Red, white and blue stars it is.

The Cooking Channel was on in the background.  Giada De Laurentiis – looking all smooth and styled and beautiful.  Here I was just after a workout, gym shorts and a tee, hair pulled up.  Why can’t  I look like Giada in the kitchen?  My roommate and her boyfriend were sitting at the kitchen counter keeping me company as I rolled out sugar cookie dough.  He says: “you and Giada look like you’re doing the same thing (she also happened to be rolling out dough).  You should have a show.”  If only!  A lovely compliment, but I don’t think I’ll ever be in the same realm as Giada.  That will be the day!

As we all watched Giada serve up a delicious meal, I was cutting out stars, baking feverishly so the cookies would be done in time.  Just over 4 dozen stars were baked, cooled and frosted.  I took them all to the party with me (so I wouldn’t be tempted to eat more later) – not a single cookie was left by the end of the night!  That always puts a smile on my face, knowing the baked goods I made were eaten AND the guests thought they were delicious.  

Roll-Out Cookies 
Color Flow Icing