You Can't Judge a Cookie by Its Cutter

Book excerpt: The big new idea in baking: cookie transformations-- using a few cookie cutters and a twist of the wrist to create 100 totally unique and fun cookie designs! Dubbed "the most creative baker I know" by Ina Garten, cookie expert Patti Paige reveals the secrets behind her famous decorating techniques and dough recipes. Known for her irresistibly playful cookie designs, Patti shows how, with a change of perspective and her decorating tips, a single cookie cutter is the only tool you need to make a Chick that will transform, into French Fries, a Hen, and a Dog! A pumpkin-shaped cookie morphs into a bunch of bananas or into George Washington's profile; a tea cup into a stork or graduation cap; a ghost into a cat; a football helmet into a bird on a nest or an elephant; a gift box into a spider; or Santa into a turkey , and much more. Plus, Patti shares her seven favorite cookie dough recipes from classic vanilla sugar cookies to vegan gingerbread, and all the tools, tips, techniques and resources needed to create your own transformations in the kitchen - even how to make your own cookie cutters.