I need to get one quick thing out of the way, and then on to the giveaway details! I want to give a special shout out to Amy from the blog, She Wears Many Hats. Amy created this gorgeous Clicks 4 a Cause button for me to use to raise money for my friend Ann. If you haven’t read about Clicks 4 a Cause, please head over HERE. If you haven’t visited Amy’s blog, get over there right now and show her some comment love. You are in for a treat as Amy has a little something for everyone. Her fantastic travel stories, yummy recipes, great antique finds are all wrapped up in a complete package that includes some gorgeous photos. I fell in love with Amy’s blog the first time I read it and now we’ve become fast blogging friends! Thank you, Amy!
OK – now about the vanilla! When I was younger, I think it was around the time I was in Kindergarten, my grandma Sumner was demonstrating to us all how to properly use a sharp knife. I don’t remember much, except all of us kids were standing around watching her when the knife slipped and she cut her finger pretty badly (in my mind, she cut the tip of her finger off, but I don’t fully remember!). That lesson in how to properly use a knife (or not!) stuck with me because I now refuse to cut anything without a cutting board.
Fast forward 30 years later and I am in my kitchen getting ready to make my friend Sandie’s Creme Brulee. I had a couple of really tough vanilla beans that would not slice open. Being the genius that I am, I picked up one of the beans, held it in the palm of my hand and attempted to cut it open that way. That was not a brilliant decision because the knife slipped and cut open the palm of my hand. Ouch!
One good thing came from that experience. I discovered the joy of Vanilla Bean Paste. Vanilla Bean Paste is much easier to use than vanilla beans, it is less expensive, and has a stronger flavor than pure Vanilla Extract. Plus, you get those great little bean specs in everything you make!
Last week the folks from Singing Dog Vanilla and Red Ape Cinnamon contacted me about trying their products. I am currently trying the Singing Dog Vanilla Bean paste and love how strong the vanilla flavor is! I tried it in these cookies and the frosting and the sweet vanilla flavor was really defined.
Now you get the chance to get your own bottle of Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste. All you have to do to be entered in the giveaway is to leave a comment on this post. Make sure you complete the form with your email address so that if your name is chosen at random, I can contact you! If we get over 100 unique comments on this post, I’ll throw in a jar of their Red Ape Cinnamon for the winner as well. All comments must be left by 11pm CST on Wednesday, September 16th. Good luck!
Sugar Cookies (from the kitchen of my friend, Jo Ann Emerson)
- ¾ cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 t vanilla (I used 1 Tbs Vanilla Bean Paste)
- 2 ¾ cup flour
- 1 t baking powder
- ½ t salt
- Extra Special Buttercream Frosting (recipe follows)
In a mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill for 1 hour or until firm.
On a floured surface, roll a 1/3 of dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 375o for 8-10 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough. Frost. Yield: 2 dozen large cookies
Extra Special Buttercream Frosting (from the kitchen of my friend, Jo Ann Emerson)
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 2 lbs. powdered sugar
- ½ t salt
- 2 t clear vanilla (I used 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste)
- 6-8 oz. whipping cream
Cream butter and shortening until fluffy. Add sugar and continue beating until well blended. Add salt, vanilla and whipping cream. Beat on high speed until icing is fluffy. Note: This frosting should be refrigerated. Yield: 7 ½ cups
This recipe makes enough to frost 2 batches of sugar cookies or an extra large cake. Always start with a little whipping cream and gradually add (humidity affects the amount needed).
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Those cookies make me so nostalgic! They look like the ultimate cookie that you’d want to bite into growing up.
Fuji Mama´s last blog ..Japanese Pop Quiz Answers + Microplane Winners!
Hi I had to comment on this. I love the smell of vanilla! When I bake and open the bottle it always begins with a quick whiff-I do the same thing to garlic!
Daryl Callahan´s last blog ..The Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge (Week 12) English Muffins
I love the flavor of vanilla and never feel like I get my money’s worth from actual beans – I think the texture of a paste would be so much easier to work with. I’d also be interested in trying it with some different types of dishes rather than sweets – there are some terrific international dishes that add a hint of vanilla that are not necessarily sweet, but leaning more towards savory. Would love to experiment with it!
Beth Graham´s last blog ..Pati Drumm Grady, The Cooperstown Cookie Company
-blog above is my daughters-
Daryl Callahan´s last blog ..The Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge (Week 12) English Muffins
Ooooh, this looks GOOD!! I use Mexican vanilla and love it, I’m really curious to try vanilla bean paste!
~TidyMom
TidyMom´s last blog ..Gallery Wrap Canvas & Giveaway!
Oh geez, I had no idea you cut your palm open while making that Creme Brulee recipe. Now I feel bad!
I would love to win. I’m a huge fan of vanilla bean paste, especially in desserts where the little flecks show—it’s lovely! Keeping fingers crossed…
Sandie´s last blog ..The Bountiful Kitchen: Cooking Inn Style with Local, Sustainable Foods (Recipe & Tutorial: Big Mill B&B’s Guide to Canning Fig Preserves)
Yum! I love sugar cookies. And I’d love to try out that Vanilla Bean Paste.
Susan´s last blog ..Cookies & Cream Cupcakes
Sorry to hear about your hand. Hope it heals fast. I’m sure you won’t make that mistake again
Yes, vanilla bean paste is a great idea. I’m not using mine so much becuase I guess, it’s not a very good brand and is not better than extract in my case. I would love to try the one in the giveaway.
Nurit – 1 family. friendly. food.´s last blog ..Chocolate-vanilla tea biscuits bars
I’m not entering twice, but I did want to pop back over and say Amy’s blog is fabulous! Thanks for sharing her link
Sandie´s last blog ..The Bountiful Kitchen: Cooking Inn Style with Local, Sustainable Foods (Recipe & Tutorial: Big Mill B&B’s Guide to Canning Fig Preserves)
I would love to try this product. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m a huge fan of vanilla. I’d love to try the paste.
Heather Solos´s last blog ..Fried Chicken: Fearless Friday #18
Looking forward to using vanilla paste!
oh my!! ssooo cute and preety!
)
yum, sugar cookies! and I love the frosting
leave it to vanilla to make something with little black flecks in it look totally delicious. if i win, i am making the hell out of these cookies.
Mmmm cinnamon and vanilla!
Thanks for offering the giveaway!
My daughter and I having been using a confectioners’ sugar cookie recipe for over twenty years. I think I might have to make a batch of these sugar cookies soon. I would love the opportunity to try vanilla bean paste. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.
I didn’t know there was such a thing as vanilla paste. Vanilla is my absolute favorite flavor both for food and for scents.
Ooooh, vanilla is Heaven to me! I go through SO many vanilla beans, but it sure would be nice to not have to cut those pods open!
Janet´s last blog ..Cardamom Meringues
cookies look pretty
i love the frosting!
zarpandit´s last blog ..SİZ PANCAKE’İNİZİ NASIL SEVERSİNİZ?
WOW…vanilla bean paste. Just as I was getting used to the idea of vanilla beans,making my own extract & vanilla sugar, here comes another brilliant product. I would LOVE to try some! Those sugar cookies do look special!
deeba´s last blog ..‘FEETS, FEETS,’ I GOT ‘FEETS’ … FRENCH CHOCOLATE MACARONS with PISTACHIO BUTTERCREAM
Never tried vanilla bean paste. My parents brought me some real vanilla from Mexico so you have to be careful how much you use. Yes-I have had Jo Ann’s cookies/frosting and they are to die for!
Never heard of vanilla bean paste. Can’t wait to try it!!
Whit
Weee free vanilla beans paste, crossing my fingers
I cannot buy Vaniila Paste in my little town and have always wanted to try it. Thanks to you and the folks at Singing Dog for the giveaway!!
I Love Vanilla bean paste and use it in almost everything! These cookies look scrumptious!!
Vanilla beans can be dangerous when they get dry and tough. I know I have nicked myself trying to get them open too. Vanilla bean paste sounds like a great idea!
Lisa´s last blog ..Gelato
cant wait for the vanilla paste for now, i think i gotta try the cookie recipes!
lululu´s last blog ..Ragu alla Bolognese (Bolognese Sauce)
I’ve been meaning to bake with vanilla beans but this paste sounds like a fantastic (and bonus, less expensive!) alternative. I would love to be entered into the drawing. Thanks!
I’ve never heard of vanilla bean paste before… sounds heavenly! I love vanilla with everything, even to the extent of dabbing a little bit on myself as I head out the door
wendy´s last blog ..before and after
Can’t wait to try the recipe! Thanks!
I’ve never tried vanilla paste, but I’ve always wanted to!! Plus, we’re over the 100 comments mark, so I the cinnamon applies too, I think! I love making cinnamon desserts, this one is sure to up them a notch!
This vanilla bean paste sounds very interesting. I know how much vanilla extract adds flavor to baked goods, I can’t imagine the results from this product. Also, what a wonderful thing you are doing for your friend through Clicks4ACause. What a wonderful way to help.
Jamie´s last blog ..Rosemary Thyme Potatoes
You can never have too much vanilla.
mmmm….
Lindsay´s last blog ..Grilled Eggplant and Goat Cheese Salad
I’m still cringing at the thought of you cutting open you palm. Owie owie owie. It totally sounds like something I would do. I do love using vanilla beans and have wondered about the paste. Regardless of the outcome of your giveaway, I think I’m going to have to give it a try. There’s no such thing as too much vanilla!
Kelly´s last blog ..BBA Challenge Week 16 — Kaiser Rolls
It would be nice not to scrape vanilla seeds from under my nails for days after splitting a vanilla bean!
Perhaps I shouldn’t admit this but I didn’t know vanilla bean paste existed! This may be the answer to many recipes for me!
Kara´s last blog ..Southern… or Not
Oh, sounds yummy. And we get the cinnamon thrown in cuz there are more than 100 comments. Cool prizes!
Mrs. L´s last blog ..Paloma Cooler
I love sugar cookies. I bet it tastes a million times better with vanilla paste. YUMMY!
Sugar cookies are the ultimate cookie. They can be made in so many ways! Can’t wait to try the recipe!
These sugar cookies look amazing, I love the frosting on them! I always know that when school starts it is the beginning of “sugar” cookie season. Will have to try out your recipe when we make them in October!
Chez US´s last blog ..A Mac Attack
Making cookies alway reminds me of being at my grandmothers house, she had over 100 cookie cutters- my cousins and I would have so much fun decorating them. Vanillia is still one of my fav’s
Kim´s last blog ..Mustard Flowers
Wow, beautiful cookies! I need a new sugar cookie recipe; the ones I used for Christmas last year from allrecipes just didn’t cut it. =[ Using vanilla bean paste intrigues me; I’ve never even used vanilla beans. They’re so expensive… maybe I should request some for a Christmas or birthday present, or just treat myself and go ahead and buy them!
Connie´s last blog ..Puff
I can feel the pain. When i was longer i was makeing a cake for holloween a pumpkin frosted cake and i cut my finger tip on the food proceser blade ,. i was getting the nuts loose with my finger and it was very new and sharp. And slicing vanilola beans are sometimes hard .but if you slice on the bottom side and hold down the top side and run the knife blade away fome you having it on acounter or cutting board .
Are these sugar cookies soft or hard?
Thanks for the quick reply! I found you on foodgawker and have been searching for a soft sugar cookie recipe. Can’t wait!
hi…. i love to experiment and bake….currently i am perfecting certain cake recipies, esp a heavenly poundcake recipie from scratch! i would love to try vanilla bean paste!
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