YumSugar

Get the Conversation Started With Sugar Cookies

Lauren Hendrickson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:51:31 PST

Sweetheart candies are an essential on Valentine's Day, and recently Williams-Sonoma took the same idea to cookies with Message in a Cookie, a kit that comes with three different cookie-cutter shapes: a heart, a star, and a scalloped square. Each cookie cutter features slots for text, where you can use the accompanying letter stamps to make your own talking sugar cookies.
I whipped up a quick batch of Alton Brown's delicious sugar cookie dough and stamped sweet sayings into my heart-shaped cookies. I can't wait to use the scalloped square to create edible place settings at my next dinner party. Of course, you can achieve a similar idea by using a traditional cookie cutter and carefully etching out your text with a paring knife, but these handy cookie cutters just make it easier. Stop by your local Williams-Sonoma to pick up your own conversation cookie cutters, and keep reading for the sugar cookie recipe.

A Reader Recipe: Chunky Cherry-Chocolate Granola Bites

Fit Community — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:28:09 PST

FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle came up with this special cookie for Valentine's Day; she posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

Tied with a festive pink ribbon and a little love, I’m hoping these cookies will be perfect for Valentine's Day. The whole-grain oats, nuts, and cherries in these cookies add heartiness, while the melted dark-chocolate chunks deliver bursts of richness. The chia seeds pack a nutty punch, and they are rich in fiber and omega-3s, too - perfect for supporting vibrant hair and skin during these cold weeks of February.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

Tools to Bake Up a Geeky Valentine's Day Surprise

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:25:53 PST

Wanting to show loved ones we care without breaking the bank, this year we've decided to bake handmade gifts sprinkled with an extra dose of geek spices. We hunted down these geeky cookie cutters to get started on some inspired baking.

Be sure to check out our own text message-style version of a heart cookie as well!

I Heart You! 5 Lovely Valentine's Day Cookies From Etsy

Nicole Abbott — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:04:27 PST

Valentine's Day is around the corner, and hopefully you've got lots of special someones expecting to receive a token of your affection on this "lovely" day, starting with the most special one of all - your little one. Cookies make great Valentine's Day gifts, and these five sweet cookies from Etsy will have your tot - or any other recipient - falling head over heels!

Sweets For Your Geek: < 3 Cookies

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:12:51 PST

Valentine's Day is synonymous with pink hearts and sweet treats, but rather than picking up some store bought nibbles (don't be lazy), geek things up a bit by baking up a batch of these "less than three" heart cookies. Good news for those geeks who are skittish in the kitchen: these treats aren't a pain to make and can be crafted with minimal effort.

Grab a package of ready-made sugar cookie dough, a heart cookie cutter, some strawberry frosting, and you're ready to roll. Instead of cutting the dough into slices, roll it out to about a quarter-inch thick. Then grab your cookie cutter and get to work on that dough.

The fun doesn't stop there though. Once you have your heart shape, slice them in half and trim the middles, creating a "less than" symbol and "three" shape. Boom - you're basically done. Now just bake 'em, frost 'em, and give them to your favorite geek for a sweet Valentine's Day treat. Of course, if you wanted to go all in and make your cookies from scratch, YumSugar has an excellent sugar cookie recipe for you to try.

If You're Craving Girl Scout Cookies, Try These Instead

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:13:50 PST

It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Noshing on these fund-raising treats seems like an American pastime, but it can be challenging to keep a snack session of these seasonal sweets in check. If you can enjoy your cookies in a reasonable manner, then good for you! But if you're looking for a way to scratch that sugary itch without killing your healthy eating agenda, here are some healthier alternatives.

Do-Si-Dos
Two-cookie serving: 120 calories, five grams of fat, seven grams of sugar

Quick Fix: The Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie is a perfect substitute since it's so filling - I usually only eat half of a bar at a time. One bar contains 220 calories, seven grams of protein, and four grams of fiber. Made out of dried dates, one bar equals one half serving of fruit. There are 18 grams of sugar in this bar, but the sugar content is not added; it naturally occurs in the dates. The other two ingredients in this bar are peanuts and salt.

DIY Fix: Make your own tasty peanut butter treat! Blend a little peanut butter, apple sauce, and raisins for a sweet, satisfying, and nutritious homemade spread. Two tablespoons of this peanut butter raisin spread offers almost five grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

Don't see your fave cookie? Keep on reading!

5 Desserts Inspired by Conversation Hearts

Leta Shy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:41:44 PST

One of my favorite parts of Valentine's Day is how everything becomes heart-shaped for a month, and that includes the candy! Conversation hearts are a seasonal staple, but while they're cute to give and get, the chalky taste can leave your sweet tooth unsatisfied. Instead of doling out the pastel treats, check out these five easy ways to make delicious heart-inspired desserts!

Source: Flickr User ellie

Get the Dish: Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies

YumSugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:23:51 PST

Have you ever enjoyed a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie fresh from Mrs. Fields's oven and wondered: how do they make these cookies taste so good? Well, wonder no more! We went inside Mrs. Fields's kitchen and we've learned all her secrets. Watch the video now to see how the iconic cookies are made, then read more to print the recipe and try the cookies at home.

Girl Scout Cookie Nutritional Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:51:22 PST

It's that time of the year again. They're posted on nearly every street corner, and with more stands than there are Starbucks, these sweet temptations are unavoidable. Yes, I'm talking about Girl Scout Cookie season.

Whether you have a sweet spot for chewy Samoas or chocolaty Thin Mints call your name, be aware of the choices you make with this nutritional breakdown, and practice moderation when it comes to these once-a-year treats.

Continue reading to find out the calories in your favorite Girl Scout Cookies.

Did You Overdo It on Sweets This Holiday?

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:46:13 PST

My mother-in-law is a crazy baker, and when we arrived two days before Christmas, she'd already whipped up five different kinds of Christmas cookies, three pies, double chocolate brownies, a pumpkin cheesecake, and an orange bundt cake. Needless to say I definitely overdid it on the sweets and learned the hard way that while tasty, a handful of spritz cookies isn't the best pre-workout snack. With all those sweet treats in my view, it was so hard not to eat them. What about you?