Valentine’s Day Heart Cookies – New Designs – Plus Creamsicle Cookie Recipe!

NEW!  VALENTINE’S DAY COOKIE MOLDS!

Handmade Stoneware Valentine Heart Cookie Molds

♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥

Ruffled Hearts - One of the new Valentine Heart Cookie designs

My Stoneware Valentine Heart Cookie Molds are made for baking and crafts. Each cookie mold is individually handmade in my studio in Connecticut. To create these designs, clay is hand-formed around my original sculptures. The clay is then kiln fired twice to produce the food-safe stoneware mold. Dishwasher safe or hand wash.

See all the Valentine Heart designs plus a tasty Creamsicle Cookie recipe designed specifically for molded cookies on the ZANDA PANDA website – and find out ‘Which Valentine are YOU?’ 

I’ll have ordering info up very soon!

Valentine Heart Cookies- Which Valentine are YOU?

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Sandy

♥ ♥ ♥

Which Valentine are YOU? New Handmade Hearts – Stoneware Cookie Mold Designs

Which Valentine are YOU?

Here’s a sneak peek at my new Valentine Heart Cookie Molds. 

Valentine Heart Cookie Mold Designs - Which Valentine are YOU?

Which Valentine are YOU?
    ♥ If you believe in Love at First Sight, the first design is for you.
    ♥ Is your sweetie Yin to your Yang? If you know opposites attract, go for the second.
    ♥ A Born Romantic? Pick number three.
    ♥ Traditional, no frills and True Blue? The fourth is for you.

 

They’ll be available as handmade stoneware cookie/craft molds for Valentine’s Day!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Gold Dusted Chocolate Gryphon

Gold Dusted Chocolate Gryphon

This is made of dark Belgian chocolate and edible ‘gold’ dust.  If you know me, you’ll know my first love is metalwork.  My favorite medium to work in has always been metal.  Especially lost wax cast bronze and cast precious metals.  So I really enjoyed putting a ‘patina’ on this.  It really makes me want to work in metal again!

 

Great Gift Idea: New Stoneware Unicorn Cookie Mold. Newest item in ZANDA PANDA’s Etsy Shop!

Stoneware Unicorn Cookie Mold

Also Great for Arts & Crafts!

Make adorable treats and crafts with my stoneware cookie molds.  The newest mold in my Etsy shop in this cute unicorn.  It’s about 3.75″ tall by about 3″ wide (9.53 cm x 7.62 cm ) and is handmade in my studio in Connecticut.   I form the clay over my original sculpture and then it is kiln-fired twice to produce this food-safe, stoneware mold.  Check out this item and my other molds and soaps if you’re looking for unique, handmade holiday gifts!

Unicorn Cookie made with ZANDA PANDA's Stoneware Unicorn Cookie Mold

This was a spicy cookie with lots of cinnamon, cardamom and other spices.  I love how the flecks of spices give the cookie a homey, old world charm

Stoneware Unicorn Cookie Mold from ZANDA PANDA

My stoneware molds are very easy to use.  Check out this video that demonstrates how, using my Halloween Molds.

I’ll be adding more designs, so please check back often!

New Stuff! Silly & Scary Soaps: Itty Bitty Kitties and Cthulhu at ZANDA PANDA’s Etsy shop

NEW STUFF!

I have some new designs in my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZandaPanda

First, five silly kitty designs:

Five Itty Bitty Kitty Soaps

From my Etsy page: 

“A Quintet of Kitties!

Each cat has its own personality or captures a universal kitty expression. Perfect gift for cat lovers! These are my original designs and can only be found here (or on my website).

One purple kitty has the silly look cats have when they stop savaging their toy and catch you watching them. The other purple one just heard you rattle the box of kitty treats – or maybe he’s just had too much catnip. The others are being adorable taking a catnap, being a kitten and trying to appear dignified.”

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Next, something scary:

Scary Cthulhu Soap

You can find this handsome fellow in my Etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/88197291/cthulhu-soap

I’m thinking that they’ll make lovely cookie molds as well…

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! 

I’m wishing you a delightful feast with family and friends.  With lots of love and laughter!

 

Halloween SandWitches Anyone? Recipe: Pumpkin/Cream Cheese/Raisin Spread on Embossed Halloween Sandwiches

How to Make Embossed Halloween ‘SandWitches’ with
Pumpkin-Cream Cheese-Raisin Sandwich Spread/Dip Recipe

Halloween 'SandWitches'

Here’s another cute way to use your Halloween Stoneware Cookie Molds for a treat or Halloween party.  It’s great for kids, as the only skill need is squishing!  You’ll be using pretty much the same technique used for embossed Butterfly Tea Sandwiches, but instead of Texas Toast, you’ll want to use big, soft squishy buns, so you won’t need to trim your sandwiches.  Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Spread/Dip recipe below.

Use the biggest, squishiest buns you can find

You’ll only be pressing the bun tops into the molds.  Start by placing the inside surface of a top bun into a Halloween Cookie Mold.

Press the top half of the bun into the mold (inside surface of the bun facing the mold).

Press the bun into the design, starting in the center and working your way around.  I find it easiest to hold the mold in both hands and press into the design with your thumbs (like you’re texting ).  Be sure to press the bun into all the details, but be careful not to tear the bun.  If your bun is starting to overlap the rim, just fold it over and keep squishing until all areas have been pressed and the bun fits nicely into the mold.

Peel bun from mold, and spread Pumpkin Cream Cheese spread onto bottom half of bun.

Slowly peel the bun out of the mold -it’s very flat at this point, but will have picked up all the details of the mold’s design.  Spread Pumpkin spread (recipe below) onto other half of bun (or your favorite sandwich ingredients).  Top with your embossed top bun and get ready for the smiles!

Halloween SandWitch!

For more info on my Handmade Stoneware Halloween Cookie Molds please visit:
http://zandapanda.com/HalloweenStonewareCookieMolds.asp

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RECIPE:  Pumpkin-Cream Cheese-Raisin Sandwich Spread

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, softened (or use whipped for a softer spread)
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp clove
1/4 tsp paprika (this really adds depth to the flavor)
1/4 cup (or more) raisins.  For a softer texture and extra flavor, you can soak your raisins in spiced cider first to plump them up.

Directions

Beat cream cheese, brown sugar,maple syrup and vanilla until smooth.  Add pumpkin and spices and blend until smooth.   Add  raisins.  Chill for at least 1/2 hour.  Use for a sandwich spread, or for dipping cookies or fruit.

Halloween SandWitches!

Happy Halloween!

Video: How to Make Halloween Cookies with ZANDA PANDA’s Handmade Stoneware Halloween Molds (Demo with Recipe)

VIDEO! How to Make Halloween Treats with
ZANDA PANDA’s Handmade
Stoneware Halloween Cookie Molds

There’s nothing  tricky about making these treats!

ZANDA PANDA’s Handmade Stoneware Halloween Cookie Molds and Cookies

Make these adorably goofy Bat, Cat and Witch cookies for your Halloween party or to delight your favorite Trick-or-Treaters.

Watch the video to see how easy it is or visit the ZP website for more info.  You can also download a PDF with instructions and the recipe for Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cream Cheese Cookie Dip.

A few things to remember:

•  Always use a cookie dough recipe that was designed for molded cookies, or they might flatten out in the oven when baked and will lose the designs.  You can find recipes on the ZP website and at Anne L. Watson’s Molded Cookie site.

 •  Oil your mold very sparingly, too much oil may encourage the dough to stick.  You’ll want a very soft sheen on the face of the mold.  If it’s shiny, wipe away the excess oil with a lint free towel.  You only need to oil your mold once – not before each cookie.

 •  Thoroughly dust your dough with flour – But be sure that it looks ‘frosted’ – not heavily floured.

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YES!  Although we are no longer taking reservations, you can still receive a 
20% discount 
on a set of Halloween Cookie Molds if you’re on my ‘Favorite People‘ list
(or would like to be added to the list).

To order, visit:  http://zandapanda.com/HalloweenStonewareCookieMolds.asp , where you’ll also find illustrated directions on using your molds and a recipe for Pumpkin Spice Cookies with cream Cheese Cookie Dip.

And feel free to send me photos of yourself in costume with your Halloween cookies!

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Spice Halloween Cookies with Cream Cheese Cookie Dip

Pumpkin Spice Halloween Cookies

with

Cream Cheese Cookie Dip

Pumpkin Spice Halloween Cookies made with ZANDA PANDA's Handmade Stoneware Cookie Molds. Large 15” Serving Platter Courtesy ririspotteryhaus.com

This recipe makes a soft, cake-like cookie. I developed this recipe using Anne L. Watson’s book ‘Baking with Cookie Molds’. She gives the basic framework to develop your own recipes for molded cookies. It’s a very informative book and I highly recommend it.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 egg
½ cup molasses
¼ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup canned pumpkin
2 tsp vanilla

½ cup sugar
¼ tsp salt
4 cups flour (plus additional)
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cardamom
½ tsp allspice
½ tsp ginger
½ tsp clove
¼ tsp nutmeg
.

Directions

Melt butter in microwave for one minute intervals at half power. Add molasses, brown sugar, pumpkin and vanilla. Beat egg in a separate bowl, then blend into the above ingredients.

In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together sugar, salt, flour and spices. Add the wet ingredients and blend.

Add additional flour until you have a smooth, workable dough (amount depends on moisture content of your pumpkin). It will be soft and feel a bit sticky. Chill dough for about ½ hour before molding cookies.

If your cookies are thick, heat oven to 350° F (177° C) and drop to 300° F (149° C) after putting them into the oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until edges are starting to brown.

If your cookies are thin, bake at 350° F (177° C) for 10 to 15 minutes or until edges have browned.

.

Cream Cheese Cookie Dip

1 heaping Tbsp cream cheese
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 tsp vanilla
3-4 tsp milk or cream

Blend cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Add milk or cream a teaspoon at a time until smooth and creamy. Put in small individual bowls for dipping the cookies.

Large 15″ Serving Platter shown in photo courtesy rirspotteryhaus.com

Visit the Halloween Cookie Mold page to learn
how to make cookies with my new stoneware molds!

 PDF of Directions and Recipe

ZANDA PANDA PO Box 7332, Kensington, CT 06037  •  800-747-5472   •  ZandaPanda.com

Guest Blogger Anne L. Watson’s Demo: How to Make Layered Cookies in a Cookie Mold!

Our guest blogger today literally “wrote the book” on molded cookies!  Anne L. Watson is here to tell us how to make layered cookies in the Kaleidoscope Heart Mold.  Molded cookies don’t have to taste boring. Learn how to add nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, etc., to your molded cookies without losing the design!  Also check out Anne’s Monthly Cookie Magazine!  Thank you Anne, for a great article!

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Making Layered Cookies

in Zanda Panda’s Kaleidoscope Heart Cookie Mold
Anne L. Watson

Molded cookies are beautiful, and they’re great celebration cookies. But most of them have one drawback–they have to be plain cookies, or the pattern of the mold is ruined.

This means you can’t–in traditional molded cookie recipes–use the kind of goodies and tidbits that so many people like in cookies: chocolate chips, nut pieces, oatmeal, raisins, dates.

But–I thought one day, as I was writing my cookie book–why not make the molded cookie in two layers, a plain layer to take the mold pattern and another layer with goodies?

I worked out one way to do this, and used it in the book. Make a dough, divide it, knead goodies into half, then stack the layers, and mold the dough. It worked–though it had its tricky moments. It’s not that hard to assemble two big sheets of dough, but it’s not that easy, either. Also, you only get one shot at making the molded cookies, because when you reassemble the scraps, of course the layer structure is lost.

Later, I got the idea to put the two dough layers directly into a mold that could be baked. I don’t like pottery bake-in molds–I’ve never gotten good results with them, and neither have my testers. But I do like the silicone Kaleidoscope Heart mold that Zanda Panda makes. I’m not sure why it doesn’t have the same problems pottery molds have–in the pottery molds, the dough tends to heave and bubble, and the design generally comes out unrecognizable. This has never happened to me with a silicone mold.

So I decided to modify my layered cookie technique. I made enough dough for two batches, one chocolate chip and one oatmeal-raisin. Here’s the result…  MORE

Full illustrated demo with recipes HERE
(http://zandapanda.com/AnneLWatson-LayeredCookies-GuestBlog.asp)

Anne’s Cookie Book! Baking with Cookie Molds Secrets and Recipes for Making Amazing Handcrafted Cookies