Cookie Craft Christmas: Dozens of Decorating Ideas for a Sweet Holiday

First of all, I absolutely LOVE Christmas, and second, I absolutely LOVE decorating cookies. When I saw this book, I thought it was an absolute no brainer. Obviously I was going to order Cookie Craft Christmas. My first thought when I opened my box was: "That's it?" It's seriously small! It measures about 7x8 inches. Looking back at pictures, I now see it does show a picture that it measures 6.8" high and fits in the palm of a hand (much larger than my hand I guess!), so it's not that it's a negative for me. What I don't like is that it's that proportioned when the first Cookie Craft book is much bigger. When I have books by the same author(s) I tend to think they'll fit together like a collection. This isn't the case, so I'm a bit disappointed with that. I like them to look cohesive on my bookshelf!As far as the content, it's ok. There are a lot of really basic designs. Being a cookie decorator who has self taught for the past year, it was a bit of a disappointment. I was hoping for new ideas and really cute cookies I never would have thought of. Instead it was a lot of basic Christmas cookies. I know there's people who don't have a cookie background that this book would benefit, but I feel like cookiers are more likely to purchase (and be disappointed) by Cookie Craft Christmas. I also don't care for the amount of fondant decorated cookies in the book. I don't tend to specifically make the cookies I see in the books, more use them as inspiration and to pick up tips on different techniques. That being said, there are many books that are far better.It's a Christmas AND Cookie book, so if you MUST have anything in those categories, it's great. I do love that it's a subject I love. But I wish it were better executed. When I look at this book (and its' predecessor), I tend to think it's just outdated. The photography isn't as vibrant as 'newer' ones, the cookie techniques seem to be a step behind, etc. Seeing that the book was published in 2009 wasn't a shock to me at all. There's plenty of newer, more cutting edge books. There's a lot more to be found on blogs, websites, social media, and pinterest. So if you're looking for really up to date ideas, look somewhere else. If you're looking for a good book for cookie bakers that pretty much only use their (limited) skills every christmas, you might be in luck!

What a great find!!! This book is special since it has decorating for all levels. HINT: For first timers, purchase your royal icing on line at Amazon or thru Michaels at the store - WILTON is great and the containers are easy to use. For more experienced bakers - I purchased the Cookie Craft Book from Amazon too - by the same authors - Valerie Peterson and Janice Fryer. Would be a great gift for any baker and is for all holidays!!! Having my first cookie exchange this year and hope my friends and neighbors enjoy my new recipes.SUPPORT AMERICAN MADE COOKIE CUTTERS

I like this book! Lots of great tips on decorating holiday cookies with lots of great photos. What's really nice is the designs and finished cookies are not over-the-top out of reach for even an amateur such as myself would be afraid to try. Yeah, I think I could do that. Wish the dimensions of the book were larger.

This is my second purchase. Had to get a copy for my family. Wonderful pictures and directions for fancy cookies. Book is very small, hard bound.

If you have always admired those gorgeous, painstakingly decorated cut-out Christmas cookies and wanted to learn to make them yourself, then  Cookie Craft Christmas: Dozens of Decorating Ideas for a Sweet Holiday  might just be for you. I'm always looking for new ideas, so when I found a great price on the Kindle version of the book a couple of days ago I added it to my library.Authors Janice Fryer and Valerie Petersen provide three basic recipes for cut-out cookies - Plain, Chocolate and Gingerbread - each of which will make● about 30 2.5 inch cookies● about 16 3.5 inch cookies● about 12 4.5 inch cookiesYou'll also find detailed instructions for cutting & baking the dough, freezing the cookies and numerous techniques for decorating your masterpieces, both before and after baking.Royal Icing, which dries quite hard, is the icing of choice for complicated cookie decorations. Fryer & Petersen give recipes for a number of variations - large and small batches, icing suitable for piping or suitable for flooding (a runnier icing used for filling in the outline, icing made with powdered egg whites, liquid pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder - as well as a number of decorating techniques that use the icing. (If you're a decorator, the handy charts alone are worth acquiring the book!)▶︎ NOTE - One reviewer mentions an error in her copy of the book in one of the Royal Icing recipes. I've double checked all of the Royal Icing recipes in the Kindle version of the manuscript and all of them are correct.Part Two contains full color photos for more than 60 different cookies (I counted variation as just one), all gorgeous, each accompanied by a complete list of equipment & embellishments needed and and detailed instructions for reproducing the cookie. Sadly, there is no master list of the included designs and page numbers referred to are neither actively linked or useful in Kindle. You'll have to page. (I subtracted a star.)Part Three contains detailed directions for packing your cookies for shipping, planning a cookie swap party and a lengthy list of resources for cookie cutters and decorating supplies.Grandma's $0.02 - These gorgeously decorated cut out cookies really let a decorator show off her creativity and make wonderful Christmas ornaments. Great activity for a snowy afternoon.Highly recommended

The book itself is great however...its a small book which makes it difficult to read.

It is a small, but quick thick book, so that is nice. There is one or two cookie pictures on each page. Every cookie has a photo, so you know what the ready cookie should look like. That is also an advantage.But not only the techniques and styles are the same as in the first book Cookie Craft (of course), but some (about 20%) of the pictures are identical in both books and that is a shame. So I would advice to buy only one book, if you don't want double pictures. The first book is more complete, so I would recommend buying Cookie Craft.

many good ideas for xmas cookies that i will be making for gifts,book is very handy size and can be held by little hands

Thank you! :)

a lovely lovely bok

This book is excellent: it's informative, there are lots of beautiful pictures, and basic cookie recipes are included. I made flooded cookies for the first time last Christmas using this book and I was flabbergasted at the beautiful cookies that I made with the help of this book. Its small size ensures that it doesn't take up too much room on the kitchen counter and for its size, it's packed with information and instructions which can be used to make flooded cookies for all seasons, not just Christmas. I can't recommend it enough. Love it!