Cookies… Again!
We all have different ways of letting out stress… I have two: the first one is cleaning. I clean and scrub the house until it’s completely spotless! The second one is baking. It’s not the best for your silhouette, but it’s almost as effective. It’s what happened yesterday.
For a few weeks, I have been actively looking for a job. And by actively, I mean between 2 and 4 interviews a week, sometimes 2 on the same day. First rounds and second rounds. English tests and various assignments. Yesterday I had one in Bath. I was well prepared and quite confident. As usual, I intended to drive there (I don’t trust public transports that much). Unfortunately the car broke down just 1h before the interview! Panicked and completely stressed out, I finally managed to get on the train (running to the station while it was pouring rain), jump into a taxi and arrive on time. Ouf!
When I got home after the interview, I needed to clear my head and do something fun, so I baked cookies and took some time to decorate them. My 18-month-old nephew comes over tonight with his mom and grandma. No doubt he will love them!
The cookie recipe is really basic.
Ingredients (for approx. 24 biscuits)
- 115g butter, softened
- 50g golden caster sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg, beaten
- 230g all-purpose flour
Method
Beat the butter and sugar together until creamy. Gradually add the egg. Beat well. Sift over the flour and mix to a soft dough. Lightly knead the dough on a floured work surface for a few seconds, until smooth.
Shape the dough into a ball then flatten slightly into a round. Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.
On a floured work surface, roll out the dough lightly and evenly to a thickness of about 3mm. Use your favourite cookie cutters to make the cookies.
Transfer the cookies to the baking sheets, leaving a space of about 2 cm between each.
Bake for 10 minutes until pale golden brown. Remove from the oven and leave for 2-3 minutes before transferring the cookies to a rack to cool.
Icing recipe
Ingredients
- icing sugar
- cold water (or freshly pressed lemon juice or orange juice)
- food colours
Method
Sift the icing sugar in a bowl. Gradually (teaspoonful) add the water until it forms a thick paste.
Use a piping bag to decorate the cookies (and have fun!!).
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It’s so refreshing to hear of someone that uses cooking and baking as a stress-reducer and relaxing agent. It certainly gives you time with your nephew, that’s reward enough.
More often than not, people tell me what a “chore” cooking and baking are. Just a small shift in attitude changes a chore into an enjoyable family project.
Don’t let the job market and your car problems get you down. You make beautiful cookies and can share time with the young ones. That’s a blessing that no job or new car can provide.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos!
I wish I used cleaning to relief stress! ha, but definitely not. However, i definitely use cooking/baking as a stress reliever. Love cookie cutters and decorating cookies.