Several years ago I visited a Butterfly Garden near Charlotte, SC. It was the most amazing experience. When you enter into the garden, which is an enclosed space, you can actually feel the silence. The butterflies glide through the air gracefully and if you’re very still they will land on you as if you’re a natural part of their world. There are no words to describe the peace and wonder that surrounded me as these magnificent and beautiful creatures went about their business.
“Imagine the butterfly’s journey ... from an earth-bound creature to a winged messenger of beauty.” Kasha
The memory of the Butterfly Garden is always on my mind when I make butterfly cookies. I’m hoping that I can capture a little bit of that world for the people who receive my cookies. When a friend was experiencing a very difficult time, I decided that she needed Butterfly Cookies and Tea. These little beauties were a welcome gift that made the struggle a bit more bearable.
Cookie specifics
Shortbread. The combination of European butter and vanilla makes this shortbread cookie one of the yummiest cookies I make. It’s buttery, crumbly and light. They are perfect for even the most intricate cookie cutters.
Shapes & Sizes
Although I have several sizes of butterfly cookie cutters, for this project I used a 3⅝ x 2⅞-inch size butterfly cookie cutter. I love the shape of this butterfly. It is both elegant and intricate — but not impossible to use.
The Cookie
I developed this Shortbread recipe over the course of several months in my quest to duplicate the taste and texture of a shortbread cookie from a now-closed bakery in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Once I perfected the recipe, it became a cookie that I now bake for many occasions throughout the year.
Icing & Frostings
Glaze for Piping: This glaze/icing dries hard enough that you can stack or package the cookies without damaging the embellishments. I often use it exclusively or in combination with Royal Icing. I really like how it dries with a little bit of shine to it.
Glaze for Piping Recipe
Cookies
Shortbread: flour, butter, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Glaze for Piping: sugar, water, corn syrup, food coloring (optional), various extracts for flavoring (vanilla, almond, lemon, raspberry, etc.)
Plate, Box or Bag?
Decorative Paper Plate. I gave a dozen of these beautiful cookies to my neighbors and they ooh-ed and ah-ed over them before eating them down to the last crumb.
Bags. I also individually wrapped a several in small treat bags and gave them to a friend who was going through a difficult time. I wanted to make sure she knew she was not alone in her suffering.
What I’ve learned...
These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find and baked in a small batch of two dozen. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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