Seasoned With Sydney

Last night I was scouring the hundreds of recipes that I have saved in the "bookmarks" section of my internet browser. It seems like the idea to bake is always a prominent fixture in my mind, but the looming question is always, "Now WHAT am I going to make?" I also wanted to make something to take to work tomorrow. (I have this plan that I'm going to make friends with everyone in my office...one baked good at a time. So far, so good. )

Cookies are instant friend-makers. Make no mistake about it, my friends.

I wanted to keep things relatively simple today. I didn't want to use a ton of dishes and utensils, I didn't want to have to go to the store in a desperate search for an obscure ingredient, and I DEFINITELY wasn't in the mood for a super complicated recipe. But just because I wanted to take it easy, doesn't mean that I wanted to make some run-of-the-mill cookie that you can just as easily make from a box. I wanted sugar cookies, but it just wouldn't be a product of my kitchen if there wasn't a little something extra. Thus, I decided on the classic, simple, yet eye-catching Black and White Cookie.

And for the record, I used a ton of dishes and utensils. Eh, we can't win 'em all.

Baking is so relaxing, don't you think?

I am thoroughly enjoying owning a Silpat. What is parchment paper? I've forgotten. (Just kidding. My Silpat is a little bigger than my baking sheet, so I still keep a roll of parchment paper around just in case.)

I used my trusty ice cream scoop to evenly measure out my cookies. It's funny, I use that ice cream scoop for everything from cookie batter, to cupcakes, to pancakes, but never, ever for ice cream. Weird, right?

An hour later, I had thirteen of these babies. They're HUGE.

So, as I started making the glazes for these monster-sized cookies, I couldn't help feeling like I wasn't taking these cookies as far as they could go. And of course, I was also feeling a little festive. SO, to celebrate All Hallow's Eve (CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S TOMORROW? I mean SERIOUSLY, where did October go??) I decided to dye the white glaze orange with food coloring!! I think I got a little too excited, but I just can't help it when that happens.

Making vanilla glaze is insanely simple, and it was my first time using corn syrup. Such a huge bottle, and all I needed was a tablespoon for the glaze. How will I ever use that entire bottle of light corn syrup? OH WELL, GUESS I HAVE TO MAKE A TON OF STUFF NOW WITH GLAZES AND THEN EAT THEM ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER. Life is so hard!

Isn't that the prettiest orange color you've ever seen? I love dying food! I can't believe I don't do it on a daily basis. What do you guys think of purple spaghetti? Okay, sorry. Too far.

I'm so incredibly proud of these cookies. AND I'm TOO EXCITED to bring them to work tomorrow. Despite my best efforts to get everyone in the office to dress up like Bumble Bees (Or an equally embarrassing group costume), I couldn't get anyone on board to celebrate Halloween with me. At least now we can acknowledge that tomorrow is one of the coolest holidays ever,

Next time, I'm using brown butter for these cookies. I can't wait.

What You'll Need:

For the Cookies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg

For the Vanilla Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
1 Teaspoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Glaze

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
3 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon light corn syrup

Check out the full recipe here!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, BOYS AND GHOULS!