Cookie tips from Krystina Castella

Listen to the interview.

Krystina Castella is the author of Crazy About Cookies and today she shared  tips for making great cookies- and gifts.

I love Krystina’s suggestion for a cookie gift that keeps on giving!  Create your own  ”Cookie of the Month club” and send your friends home baked cookies every month.

Krystina shared  tips for decorating cookies:

A little color mixing goes a long way- choose a color palette that works with the cookie—but use off colors to make them look stylish, sophisticated and modern. Instead of blue make teal- instead of red make a cranberry color.

Practice using a pastry bag to make a  straight outline then use the flood method to fill in. Graphic placement of seeds, nuts or dried fruits are beautiful, too. Sprinkle them on to make interesting patterns.

Use image transfers to place words or photos on your cookies.

The ideal assortment for a party dessert platter?  Krystina says to think of the shapes, flavors and textures. She like Lemon filled meringues, Cookie cups filled with cream and berries, Bourbon or rum cookie kabobs, Almond cookies with marzipan fruits
Serve the cookies with other items like ice cream or pudding in small glasses or bowls.

Here are some fun packaging ideas for  homemade cookie gifts: Put cookies in a cookie jar to keep and use later. Give Biscotti with drinks for dunking- like anisette or coffee. Make a tower of boxes with different cookies- but make one an unexpected surprise. Give the book and package with cookies.