Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread men cookies is probably one of my top two favorite cookies to eat. Especially when they're slightly firm with a soft cookie center. The spicy dough is also perfect for constructing your own gingerbread house or cutting into seasonal shapes. But when I discovered these cookie cutters,

and this one my whole world changed. I mean, how cute are these? How perfect? 

Gingerbread Ninja Cookies adapted from Good Housekeeping

Ingredients

3/4 (1 1/2 sticks) cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup agave syrup or honey
1 egg, beaten 
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/4 cup sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp ginger powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cloves
Optional raisins, chocolate chips, candy pieces, frosting

Royal Icing

1 1/2 Tbsp. meringue powder
2 cups of sifted confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
2-3 Tbsp. warmer water
Optional assorted food coloring

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.

Next in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in beaten ed egg, vanilla, molasses and honey. Gradually add the flour mixture; combine on low speed. (Scrape the sides to incorporate the last bit of flour.) Divide dough in thirds; wrap each third in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. Before rolling out, let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. If after refrigerating the dough feels too soft to roll-out, work in a little more flour.

Roll chilled dough between two sheets of parchment or wax paper.

Heat oven to 350°. Place a dough third between two large piece of lightly floured parchment paper or wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Refrigerate again for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to cut out the cookies. Use either a cookie cutter dipped in flour to cut into desired shapes. 

Transfer to an un-greased baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until crisp, but not darkened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Let sit a few minutes and then use a metal spatula to transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sift together 3 Tbsp. meringue powder (oh, BTW, I have often left this out and icing was just fine, it just won't harden) and 1 pkg (16 oz.) of shifted confectioners sugar (powdered sugar). In a bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and warm water until stiff peaks form, about 5-7 minutes. If icing is too thick, add a couple drops of water. If icing is too thin, add additional confectioners' sugar, and continue beating until desired consistency. Tint icing with desired food coloring. Fill pastry bag, decorate as desired.

Put royal icing in piping bags or small zip lock bags.

Cover counter tops with plastic wrap for easy clean up.

Baking cookies are a great social activity for kids and adults. They (the kids) love to measure, mix and with the right cookie dough, use a cookie cutter and use their creativity with decorations.

Why bake typical gingerbread men cookies, when you can bake ninjabread cookies! Hiya!

Mexican Wedding Cookies (AKA Snowball Cookies) with a Kiss!

Although the name implies that its made specifically for weddings, nothing says Christmas like Mexican wedding cookies. You may know it as Russian Tea Cakes  or snowball cookies. The Russian cookies are often made with hazelnuts, while Mexican cookies typically call for pecans. You could use anything from almonds to walnuts. 

The toasted nuts are mixed into an un-sweet butter cookie base, baked in little balls and then rolled while still warm in powdered sugar - they melt in your mouth. They are great to make with kids as they love to chop the nuts and roll the dough in their hands. 

After the cookies have cooled a bit, you roll the warm cookies in powered sugar.

This year I have been making cookies with a twist and added Hershey's Dark Chocolate Kisses to our Mexican wedding cookies.  

These cookies would be great for Valentine's Day.

Mexican a Wedding Cookies, adapted from Joy of Cooking

1 cup fine to slightly coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts or other nuts ( the Oilier the nuts, the softer the cookies)
1/2 lb butter, softened
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 c all purpose flour
1 package of Hershey's Kisses, with the wrapper removed
1/3 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Place nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes, or until lightly brown and fragrant. Once the nuts have cooled completely place them, along with 2 tablespoons of the flour from the recipe, into your food processor, fitted with a metal blade, and process until they are slightly coarse to fine but not powdery or oily.

Next in the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and 1/2 c sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the remaining flour and salt and beat until combined. Stir in the nuts. Cover and refrigerate the dough for about one hour or until firm. 

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Press about a tablespoon of chilled dough around each Hershey Kiss, covering well so that the entire chocolate kiss is covered. Pat smooth with your palms and flatten slightly into a mound. Place mound on prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining dough and kisses until gone. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Be mindful to not over handle to dough as the warmth from you hands melts the butter.

Kids love to form the dough.

Bake at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for about 12 - 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies start to brown. Rotate about half way. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes. Roll the cookies in powdered sugar until coated.

They keep well for up to two weeks in a tightly sealed container, and freeze well too. You'll want to make a double batch, one to give away and one to keep for yourself.

What about you? Do you bake for the holidays?

Turmeric Latte

Having realized that I was sensitive to caffeine I try not to have coffee, but I miss having a warm delicious drink in the mornings. I went out to lunch with friends and tried turmeric latte from +Pomegranate Cafe in Ahwatukee a few weeks ago - and totally fell in love. 

Fresh Turmeric Root, similar to Ginger

Turmeric is incredibly healing and great for weak, stiff joints, and inflammation, boosting your immunity and helping ease sore throats from a cough or cold.

Sipping turmeric latte felt nurturing, delicious and healing. It feels energizing to have in the morning and calming to have at night. You'll feel like your in heaven!


If you enjoy the sweet and spicy flavor of a chai latte and are looking for some excellent health benefits at the same time, try the turmeric latte recipe below.

1 cup fresh nut milk (regular cow's milk or soy milk will work fine too, I used 50/50 almond milk and coconut milk)

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

½ teaspoon ginger powder

¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

2 teaspoons organic agave, honey or maple syrup(adjust to your taste)

Heat nut milk over medium-high heat and add turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. Begin whisking to froth the foam and reduce heat to medium-low when mixture beings to simmer. Watch carefully and to prevent from scorching. Continue whisking until the foam thickens. Stir in and agave and remove from heat and pour into your favorite mug and enjoy.

What's your beverage of choice in the morning?

Art Masterpiece is Turning ONE!

Well friends, this first year has been a whirlwind! I can't believe just twelve short months ago I decided to take the BIG plunge into cyberspace. My goal is to share with you my love for art and where to see it all around you.  Thank you for reading Art Masterpiece Corner!

And to show my appreciation, I'm giving away a $25 Michaels Gift Card to one lucky winner!! To enter, follow the instructions in the box below. 

WIN a $25 Gift Card from Michaels! Arts, crafts, floral supplies, holiday supplies, magazines, and OF COURSE, party supplies… there is a LOT to choose from when shopping at Michaels GIVEAWAY – $25 Gift Card from Michaels. Use it for the classroom, girl scout projects or other non-profit work, or use it for your personal project.

Increase your chances of winning. Please leave us a comment ON THIS POST. Don't forget to Click “LIKE” on our  Art Masterpiece Corner Face Book page – HERE and Follow Art Masterpiece Corner on Google+ HERE.

The winner will be announced on December 15th, 2014.

Thank you and GOOD LUCk!

Congratulations to M Taylor for winning our first giveaway!

I received no compensation for hosting this giveaway however. All reviews and opinions are mine and are not influenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience. Giveaway will end at 12:00 pm EST on 12/13/14. Winners will be selected at random and notified by email.Winner will be notified on or around 12/15/2014.. You will have 72 hours to respond to the email to claim your prize.  No purchase necessary. Open Only to US Residents age 18 or Older. Void where prohibited & Not Valid in All States. This give away is in no way administered, sponsored or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CPR, Part 255 Guide Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.