A new book from the author of the best-selling *Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year*. Delve into the world of cookie magic, where you can make everything from edible jewelry to cookie bacon and eggs! Organized by theme, each chapter overflows with luscious photographs and dozens of recipes and cookie crafting ideas. With carefully illustrated details, award-winning author Julia M. Usher expertly guides you in the making of perfect cookie masterpieces. For a knock-your-socks-off look inside, visit: Julia M. Usher on Issuu. (issuu.com/juliamusher/docs/ultimatecookiesforissuuupload?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222)
**Recent Praise:** "This really is the ULTIMATE cookie book. Whimsical, elegant, colorful and creative!! What more could you ask for? You will not be disappointed." - Colette Peters, Author and Owner, Colette's Cakes
"This time the clever cookie comes in the guise of Julia Usher. [I] love the fact that she has created an instructional book with clear intent, [and] thoughtful and excellent recipes topped with quality decorations. I see a lot of adequate decorating out there, but this work is inspirational. Cupcakes had better not rest on their laurels: I can easily be persuaded to put them aside when enticed by the decorative crumbs of Julia's cookies. Beautiful book, beautiful work . . . [I] recommend to all edible artists." - Kerry Vincent, Food Network Challenge Judge, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Author
"Julia Usher has integrated insane creativity with a passion for cookie decorating to produce one of the most inspirational sugar art books ever printed. *Ultimate Cookies* delivers a lip-smacking guide to creating gorgeous cookies for any season." - Nancy Quist, President, Fancy Flours, Inc.
"Astonishingly beautiful cookie creations with effective, user-friendly explanations make *Ultimate Cookies* an absolute must-have resource for experienced and new decorators alike. Every page is an absolute delight!" - Marian Poirier, Sweetopia.net
"Julia Usher is the most talented and creative cookie decorator I know. Her techniques are flawless, as are her beautiful cookies, and this book is the ultimate reference for beginners as well as seasoned cookie decorators. Flip through these pages and you'll soon find yourself in the kitchen, creating awe-inspiring edible works of art and decorating like a pro." - Tish Boyle, Editor, *Dessert Professional*
### Review
This time the clever cookie comes in the guise of Julia Usher. [I] love the fact that she has created an instructional book with clear intent, [and] thoughtful and excellent recipes topped with quality decorations. I see a lot of adequate decorating out there, but this work is inspirational. Cupcakes had better not rest on their laurels: I can easily be persuaded to put them aside when enticed by the decorative crumbs of Julia's cookies. Beautiful book, beautiful work . . . [I] recommend to all edible artists.
(Kerry Vincent, Food Network Challenge Judge )
This really is the ULTIMATE cookie book. Whimsical, elegant, colorful and creative!! What more could you ask for? You will not be disappointed.
(Colette Peters *Colette's Cakes* )
Julia Usher has integrated insane creativity with a passion for cookie decorating to produce one of the most inspirational sugar art books ever printed. Ultimate Cookies delivers a lip-smacking guide to creating gorgeous cookies for any season.
(Nancy Quist, President *Fancy Flours, Inc* )
Julia Usher is the most talented and creative cookie decorator I know. Her techniques are flawless, as are her beautiful cookies, and this book is the ultimate reference for beginners as well as seasoned cookie decorators. Flip through these pages and you'll soon find yourself in the kitchen, creating awe-inspiring edible works of art and decorating like a pro.
(Tish Boyle, Editor *Dessert Professional* )
Astonishingly beautiful cookie creations with effective, user-friendly explanations make Ultimate Cookies an absolute must-have resource for experienced and new decorators alike. Every page is an absolute delight!
(Marian Poirier *Sweetopia.net* )
Julia Usher has integrated insane creativity with a passion for cookie decorating to produce one of the most inspirational sugar art books ever printed. Ultimate Cookies delivers a lip-smacking guide to creating gorgeous cookies for any season. (Nancy Quist, President Fancy Flours, Inc )
### From the Author
Move over, cupcake! The decorated cookie has arrived! Don't get me wrong. I love cute cupcakes as much as the next baker, but can we be frank? They've hogged the spotlight for far too long, don't you think?!
The present of a lovely decorated cookie is truly transcendent. We all know this instinctively. We bask in its fragrance as it takes shape in the oven. We ooh and ahh over the icing artfully laid on its top. We smile as its buttery crumbs caress our tongues. It's a rare gift that not only tickles the fancy and teases the palate, but satisfies all the way to the heart.
What?! You say I've got a soft spot for cookies? I won't deny it. It comes from years of cookie-decorating fun with my sibs under the supportive tutelage of my mom. Each Christmas we donned her frilly June Cleaver-esque aprons and tried our darnedest to outdo one another with the cleverest cookie design. Even when disfigured cutouts or errant icing blobs foiled our plans, we earned Mom's unswerving praise -- and, better yet, the excuse to eat our mistakes.
Warm and fuzzy memories aside, cookies are practical and infinitely adaptable, too. Dough can be made ahead, frozen, and then cut and baked when you've got the spare time. Cookies can be top-coated, flocked, stenciled, marbled, rubber-stamped, stacked, and arranged into countless 3-D designs. And once baked and decorated, cookies have the advantage of a relatively long shelf life. If you've poured your heart and soul into a fabulously decorated treat, it only makes sense that you should be able to admire it for a few days without it going stale or bad, right?
Okay, yes, a part of me hopes that *Ultimate Cookies* will spur the next crazy baking trend. But my bigger aim is to share my joy of cookie decorating and all the tools needed to bring this joy more completely into your life. If you smile while turning the pages, then I'll smile, too, knowing that *Ultimate Cookies* struck a chord with you.
Description:
A new book from the author of the best-selling *Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year*. Delve into the world of cookie magic, where you can make everything from edible jewelry to cookie bacon and eggs! Organized by theme, each chapter overflows with luscious photographs and dozens of recipes and cookie crafting ideas. With carefully illustrated details, award-winning author Julia M. Usher expertly guides you in the making of perfect cookie masterpieces. For a knock-your-socks-off look inside, visit: Julia M. Usher on Issuu. (issuu.com/juliamusher/docs/ultimatecookiesforissuuupload?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222)
**Recent Praise:**
"This really is the ULTIMATE cookie book. Whimsical, elegant, colorful and creative!! What more could you ask for? You will not be disappointed." - Colette Peters, Author and Owner, Colette's Cakes
"This time the clever cookie comes in the guise of Julia Usher. [I] love the fact that she has created an instructional book with clear intent, [and] thoughtful and excellent recipes topped with quality decorations. I see a lot of adequate decorating out there, but this work is inspirational. Cupcakes had better not rest on their laurels: I can easily be persuaded to put them aside when enticed by the decorative crumbs of Julia's cookies. Beautiful book, beautiful work . . . [I] recommend to all edible artists." - Kerry Vincent, Food Network Challenge Judge, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Author
"Julia Usher has integrated insane creativity with a passion for cookie decorating to produce one of the most inspirational sugar art books ever printed. *Ultimate Cookies* delivers a lip-smacking guide to creating gorgeous cookies for any season." - Nancy Quist, President, Fancy Flours, Inc.
"Astonishingly beautiful cookie creations with effective, user-friendly explanations make *Ultimate Cookies* an absolute must-have resource for experienced and new decorators alike. Every page is an absolute delight!" - Marian Poirier, Sweetopia.net
"Julia Usher is the most talented and creative cookie decorator I know. Her techniques are flawless, as are her beautiful cookies, and this book is the ultimate reference for beginners as well as seasoned cookie decorators. Flip through these pages and you'll soon find yourself in the kitchen, creating awe-inspiring edible works of art and decorating like a pro." - Tish Boyle, Editor, *Dessert Professional*
### Review
This time the clever cookie comes in the guise of Julia Usher. [I] love the fact that she has created an instructional book with clear intent, [and] thoughtful and excellent recipes topped with quality decorations. I see a lot of adequate decorating out there, but this work is inspirational. Cupcakes had better not rest on their laurels: I can easily be persuaded to put them aside when enticed by the decorative crumbs of Julia's cookies. Beautiful book, beautiful work . . . [I] recommend to all edible artists.
(Kerry Vincent, Food Network Challenge Judge )
This really is the ULTIMATE cookie book. Whimsical, elegant, colorful and creative!! What more could you ask for? You will not be disappointed.
(Colette Peters *Colette's Cakes* )
Julia Usher has integrated insane creativity with a passion for cookie decorating to produce one of the most inspirational sugar art books ever printed. Ultimate Cookies delivers a lip-smacking guide to creating gorgeous cookies for any season.
(Nancy Quist, President *Fancy Flours, Inc* )
Julia Usher is the most talented and creative cookie decorator I know. Her techniques are flawless, as are her beautiful cookies, and this book is the ultimate reference for beginners as well as seasoned cookie decorators. Flip through these pages and you'll soon find yourself in the kitchen, creating awe-inspiring edible works of art and decorating like a pro.
(Tish Boyle, Editor *Dessert Professional* )
Astonishingly beautiful cookie creations with effective, user-friendly explanations make Ultimate Cookies an absolute must-have resource for experienced and new decorators alike. Every page is an absolute delight!
(Marian Poirier *Sweetopia.net* )
Julia Usher has integrated insane creativity with a passion for cookie decorating to produce one of the most inspirational sugar art books ever printed. Ultimate Cookies delivers a lip-smacking guide to creating gorgeous cookies for any season.
(Nancy Quist, President Fancy Flours, Inc )
### From the Author
Move over, cupcake! The decorated cookie has arrived! Don't get me wrong. I love cute cupcakes as much as the next baker, but can we be frank? They've hogged the spotlight for far too long, don't you think?!
The present of a lovely decorated cookie is truly transcendent. We all know this instinctively. We bask in its fragrance as it takes shape in the oven. We ooh and ahh over the icing artfully laid on its top. We smile as its buttery crumbs caress our tongues. It's a rare gift that not only tickles the fancy and teases the palate, but satisfies all the way to the heart.
What?! You say I've got a soft spot for cookies? I won't deny it. It comes from years of cookie-decorating fun with my sibs under the supportive tutelage of my mom. Each Christmas we donned her frilly June Cleaver-esque aprons and tried our darnedest to outdo one another with the cleverest cookie design. Even when disfigured cutouts or errant icing blobs foiled our plans, we earned Mom's unswerving praise -- and, better yet, the excuse to eat our mistakes.
Warm and fuzzy memories aside, cookies are practical and infinitely adaptable, too. Dough can be made ahead, frozen, and then cut and baked when you've got the spare time. Cookies can be top-coated, flocked, stenciled, marbled, rubber-stamped, stacked, and arranged into countless 3-D designs. And once baked and decorated, cookies have the advantage of a relatively long shelf life. If you've poured your heart and soul into a fabulously decorated treat, it only makes sense that you should be able to admire it for a few days without it going stale or bad, right?
Okay, yes, a part of me hopes that *Ultimate Cookies* will spur the next crazy baking trend. But my bigger aim is to share my joy of cookie decorating and all the tools needed to bring this joy more completely into your life. If you smile while turning the pages, then I'll smile, too, knowing that *Ultimate Cookies* struck a chord with you.
Live sweetly, Julia M. Usher