Cindy "TheSweetNerd" Rodriguez My inspiration for what I’m calling LA Vibin’ Sugar Cookies came from the amazing time I spent at a Create and Cultivate conference in DTLA. I hosted a 2nd grade summer party and I needed something hip and cool for the kiddos and the parents. I nabbed a few cookie cutters of palm trees, sunglasses and the state of California, whipped up a batch of sugar cookies, and used a burnt pink hue for the icing. #Vibes!
CREATE & CULTIVATE
I can’t say enough great things about my time at the Create and Cultivate conference. Founder Jacklyn Johnson has really conceived and executed a unique experience for women in business. The conferences are all over the nation, and the LA event had over 600 female entrepreneurs! The day hosted panels, speakers, workshops, mentor power hours, and cocktails. The keynote speakers were Kim Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, and Lauren West.
Track 2 for the workshop day held in DTLA. The brands and styles and general creativity floating in the air that day was palpable.
LA VIBIN’ SUGAR COOKIES
Feeling inspired, I made these sugar cookies that are really a homage to my hometown. Y’all know how much I love LA, and Cali in general. I used my favorite sugar cookie recipe in the world for this one. The cookie cutters were a welcome addition to my increasingly large collection.
For the icing I used a simple royal icing recipe. I played with the colors, using red and pink and orange. The hot Los Angeles sun often adds this hazy tone to the sky. I also added some green as an accent color.
The 2nd grade pool party was a big hit! We had badminton, giant Connect Four, bowling, and of course…
…the pool! Ahhhhhhhhh.
Double cannonballs!
There’s always a reason to celebrate in LA!
OUR FAVES
- Ann Clark Cookie Cutters, Summer Cookie Cutters and California Cutter
- Edible Art Paint, Decorative paint
- Bonjour Fete, Monstera Leaf paper plates and Foil Palm Trees Napkins
Photos by: Maria Hedrick Photography
Cookies 1Dries: Whisk flour and salt in a bowl. Set aside. 2Base: In a mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Next, add eggs and vanilla. 3Gradually, add dries to base just until incorporated. Chill in refrigerator up to one hour. Roll on lightly floured surface. Cut shapes. 4Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes or until edges are slightly browned. 5Note: When you cut into a shape, chill in freezer to set. Then, transfer directly to hot oven. Royal Icing 1Add vanilla flavoring into 1/2 cup water and set aside until step 3. 2In the mixer (paddle attachment), gently mix confectioners sugar and meringue powder on low. 3Add 1/2 cup flavored water and mix on low until it is thick and lumpy. 4Drizzle the remaining water as needed until it becomes a thick-like honey consistency. 5At this point, turn mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes or so until icing is thick and fluffy. Stop when it forms a soft peak.Directions
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Sounds like a great conference Cindy. And looks like the pool party was a success, judging from your photos! Love these fun cookies! Those cutters!
Thanks Mary Ann. Love your support!
I love these cookies. LA drives me crazy with the traffic and lack of parking but it will always be a magical culturally diverse city and hold a special place in my heart <3
You are too funny Kendall. LA traffic is a thing, but I promise waze will save you!