How to Dry and Store Your Cookie Cutters

There are so many cookie cutters out there!  I began my collection quite a while ago, but it has multiplied significantly over the past few years. No one really told me how to organize my cutters. Here is what I have come up with.  But before I explain how I organize my cookie cutters, I'll explain how to prevent metal cutters from rusting. 

After using any cutters, I always soak them in a bowl with warm water and soap.  I then clean each cutter with a sponge and more soap and water to ensure that all of the grease is removed. 

A great tip that I learned from the book Cookie Craft is how to keep metal cookie cutters and icing tips from rusting. 

After individually washing and towel drying each cutter, place metal cutters on a cookie sheet, cut side down. Next, place the sheet in the oven for 10 minutes at 200 degrees. This will absorb any remaining moisture.

Finally, set warm cutters on a towel to cool before putting them away.

The way that I organize my cutters is usually by theme. I write the name of the theme on a Ziploc bag and store the bag in a plastic container.  Inside the front of the container I write down the names of the themes on a piece of paper facing outward. 

This way, I can see which cutters are in which container.

Other suggestions may be to organize your cutters by shape or size.

Hope this helps!

Melissa :) 

Happy 30th Girls!

It's hard to believe it, but it is very true!  All of my friends and I are in our 30th year!  To celebrate Lauren's, Joelle's and Jen's birthdays, we had a girls night out, and I baked a cake for dessert.

Preparing the Fondant:

To make the fondant letters I used on the cake, I first added gum paste to the fondant.  I learned how to do this a few months ago at the cupcake course I took at The Bonnie Gordon School of Baking.

Add desired color and work into fondant well.  Since food colouring stains, it is a good idea to wear gloves. Continue to work colouring into fondant until desired colour is reached. 

Fondant dries quickly. Storing remaining fondant in Ziploc bags, even while working with it, reduces the chances that it will harden. This is important to help maintain its freshness.

Set aside prepared fondant in bags. 

Baking and Decorating the Cake:

Prepare your favourite cake.  Divide batter into two 9-inch baking pans. I made a marble cake and used a knife to create a swirl throughout.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let cool.

Mix food colouring into icing.  Pour about 1/4 cup of icing onto first cake.  Spread evenly and place second cake on top.  Pour remaining icing overtop. (About 1 cup.)

Using an offset spatula, spread the icing across the top, pushing the excess icing down onto the sides of the cake.  Cover entire cake and sides. Smooth the top of the cake or create desired texture.

Cutting Out and Placing Letters on the Cake:

I was so excited to use my newest cookie cutters to cut out the fondant letters.

Using a rolling pin, roll out fondant on a piece of

wax paper until it is about the thickness of a dime.

Cut out letters using cutters.

Use spatula to lift letters from wax paper.

Carefully place letters onto cake. 

The icing acts as a glue to secure each letter to the cake. 

Celebrate!

Go out for dinner and drinks with your closest girl friends...

Schmooze, eat, drink, laugh, smile...

Sing Happy Birthday...

Blow out the candles and make a wish...

Happy 30th Girls!