ABC & 123 Cookies for Every Occasion
Alphabet & number cookie cutters make fun, personalized treats.
Here are a few gift guides I made to help:
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Life has been infinitely yummier since King-Man and I became grandparents last month. Baby Wesley was born to our son Bracken and daughter-in-law Rachel; he's forever changed our lives. I spent a blissful 2 weeks with them and savored every minute I had to love on that baby boy.
When King-Man and I arrived in Boston for our first glimpse of Wesley, we couldn't go empty handed. A batch of my signature sour cream sugar cookies came with us (recipe in a previous post), carefully packed in our luggage. They were "W" cookies in celebration of Wesley. Something sweet to celebrate the sweetest baby ever (said with a grandmother's complete objectivity). I'm not sure my kids would let me through the door without a box of cookies in hand. Every important occasion in our family is celebrated with these cookies.
Before we left for Boston, I also had made some "W" cookies for King-Man to take to work and share with his colleagues. It turned out to be a fun way to share our news--way better than cigars, that's for sure!
Alphabet and Number Cookie Cutters make personalized treats for every occasion. I have a big cooker cutter collection that includes a variety of fun shapes. However, the cookie cutters that I use most frequently are these alphabet and number ones. They are by far the most versatile set of cookie cutters you'll find, and are perfect for cutting out personalized cookies for any celebration. I'll share just a few of the endless possibilities.
Here's how to make ABC-123 cookies for every occasion.
Step 1. Assemble your cookie cutters. Not all cookie cutters are the same. I prefer these metal ones because they have sharp edges that easily make clean cuts in the cookie dough. The main drawback of the metal ones is that they have to be hand washed and dried to keep them from rusting. Personally, I still prefer them. The ABC, 123 sets pictured below are my favorite. They are a size that's easy to handle for baking and eating--not too big, not too little. A feature that sets these apart is that they have center cut-outs--like the little triangle in the enter of a capital A. Many alphabet cookie cutters don't have the center cut-outs and make a solid cookie with just the outline of the letter shape. I have an old set like that, and recommend this new improved version that includes the inside cut-outs. These cut cleanly and easily.
- If you prefer plastic cookie cutters that are top-rack dishwasher safe, here's an affordable set: 50 pc. ABC 123 cookie cutters
Step 2. Make or buy your cookie dough. Use your favorite cut-out cookie dough recipe or buy ready-made cookie dough. I'm pretty partial to my sour cream sugar cookie recipe.
Step 3. Roll the dough, cut, bake, frost & decorate the cookies. I'm sold on my adjustable rolling pin that makes the dough perfectly even all over. There are endless colors and kinds of decorative sprinkles to make the cookies fun and festive for every occasion.
- View on Amazon:
adjustable rolling pin, decorating sprinkles
Make-ahead tip: Cooled, unfrosted cookies may be stacked in a sealed container and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 weeks. I baked these W cookies and froze them before Wesley was born so they'd be ready to frost and share as soon as he arrived. I stacked them in layers on a 13 x 18 baking sheet, wrapped them tightly in plastic, put the lid on, and froze them for 2 weeks. (Wesley decided to be a late arrival; but well worth the wait!).
- view on Amazon: 13x18 baking sheet with lid
These W cookies were the perfect way to celebrate our sweet new grandson.
A few months ago when baby Maura was born to our friends Becca and Jason, I took these "M" cookies to them when we visited baby Maura at the hospital. It was a fun treat for them to enjoy and share with friends and family who stopped by.
When Bracken (baby Wesley's dad) graduated from MIT a few years ago, I took these cookies along on the flight to Boston. They're decorated with red sprinkles that reflect the school colors of red and grey. (Note: These were made with my old cookie cutters that don't have the center cut-outs in the P and D.)
I combined S & B cookies (in team colors) with footballs for our Seahawks vs. Broncos Super Bowl party. view football cookie cutter on Amazon
Number Cookies are perfect for many occasions, too! For example...
Cut out the year to celebrate the New Year or graduations. The cookies below are decorated with multi-colored sprinkles that mimic confetti.
Cut out the number of Birthdays, Anniversaries, or other numbered celebrations, like the top "10".
Cut out "4" cookies for the 4th of July.
How to use ABC 123 Cookie Cutters for many occasions: (for alphabet cookies, think of initials, acronyms, or short words that signify the occasion)
- Birthdays -- number cookies that reflect the year, alphabet cookies that spell out the birthday boy or girl's name or initials
- Anniversaries & Retirements -- number cookies that reflect the number of years
- Weddings & Wedding Showers -- alphabet cookies of the couples initials; these can be combined with heart-shaped cut-out cookies; decorated with wedding colors
- Babies & Baby Showers -- baby's first initial (like "W" for Wesley); or, spell out "BOY" or "GIRL"
- Sports -- alphabet cookies reflecting the team initials ("R" for Rams, "C" or Cardinals, etc.); number cookies reflecting a player's jersey number; number cookies reflecting playoffs like the Final "4"; decorate in team colors
- New Year's -- number cookies reflecting the new year; decorate with multi-colored sprinkles to mimic confetti
- Graduation & School Events-- number cookies reflecting the graduation year; alphabet cookies with the school initials (like MIT); decorated in school colors
- Valentine's Day -- "X" and "O" alphabet cookies; decorate in red, white, pink, purple
- Mardi Gras -- "MG" alphabet cookies; decorate in purple, green & gold
- St. Patrick's Day -- number "17" cookies for March 17; "P" cookies for Patrick or Paddy; decorate in green and white
- Easter -- "EGG" spelled out in alphabet cookies; decorate in pastels
- 4th of July -- "4" number cookies; decorate in red, white, and blue
- Halloween -- "BOO" in alphabet cookies; decorate in orange and black
- Christmas -- "JOY" in alphabet cookies; number "25" cookies for December 25; decorate in green and red
My list is just a start. There are so many possibilities. ABC & 123 cookies can add fun, personalized flair to any celebration. Like the birth of a precious baby Wesley...
Make it a Yummy day!
Monica
- SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- ABC-123 Cookie Cutters
- Prepared cookie dough & frosting -- store bought or homemade (for recipe, go to www.theyummylife.com/Sour_Cream_Sugar_Cookies)
- Decorating sprinkles
ABC 123 Cookie Cutter ideas for many occasions:
(for alphabet cookies, think of initials, acronyms, or short words that signify the occasion)
Birthdays -- number cookies that reflect the year, alphabet cookies that spell out the birthday boy or girl's name or initials
Anniversaries & retirements -- number cookies that reflect the number of years
Weddings & wedding showers -- alphabet cookies of the couples initials; these can be combined with heart-shaped cut-out cookies; decorated with wedding colors
Babies and baby showers -- baby's first initial (like "W" for Wesley); or, spell out "BOY" or "GIRL"
Sports -- alphabet cookies reflecting the team initials ("R" for Rams, "C" or Cardinals, etc.); number cookies reflecting a player's jersey number; number cookies reflecting playoffs like the Final "4"; decorate in team colors
New Year's -- number cookies reflecting the new year; decorate with multi-colored sprinkles to mimic confetti
Graduation & School Events -- number cookies reflecting the graduation year; alphabet cookies with the school initials (like MIT); decorated in school colors
Valentine's Day -- "X" and "O" alphabet cookies; decorate in red, white, pink, purple
Mardi Gras -- "MG" alphabet cookies; decorate in purple, green & gold
St. Patrick's Day -- number "17" cookies for March 17; "P" cookies for Patrick's or Patty's; decorate in green and white
Easter -- "EGG" spelled out in alphabet cookies; decorate in pastels
4th of July -- "4" number cookies; decorate in red, white, and blue
Halloween -- "BOO" in alphabet cookies; decorate in orange and black
Christmas -- "JOY" in alphabet cookies; number "25" cookies for December 25; decorate in green and red
Here are a few gift guides I made to help:
