With the Omer completed and the three weeks still a short time away, there seems to be an abundance of simchas being celebrated. Here are two easy, yet professional looking ideas to enhance any simcha. You may color coordinate these ideas for your sweet tables and the cookies make great party favors as well.
Customized Jell-O Cup
Yields: 12
Supplies
12-6 oz Plastic parfait cups
4 boxes Clear jell-o
1 box colored jell-o
Acetate paper (available at any copy center)
Invitation, monogram, name, message (i.e. It’s a Girl!)
Directions
1. Reduce the invitation, monogram or whatever you will be putting in the cup to a 1 ¾”x 1 ¾” square (you should be able to fit approximately 20 on a page).
2. Then copy onto acetate paper and cut out each section.
3. Prepare clear jello following the directions listed on the package.
4. Fill parfait cups with the jello until its ½ inch from the top.
5. Allow the jello to set.
6. Once it has firmed, place cut out invitation, monogram etc, in the cup with the jello (see image).
7. Prepare colored jello, again following the directions on the package.
8. Allow to firm and then fill the remaining space in the cup with it.
9. For best results allow to “sit” overnight as this will allow the colors to blend nicely.
Customized Simcha Cookies
Supplies
Sugar cookie dough* (recipe below)
Rolled fondant
Square fluted cookie cutter (I used 2 ½)
Straight edge square cookie cutter (I used 2 ¼”)
Acetate paper
Invitation, monogram, name, message (i.e. It’s a Girl!)
3/8 of an inch of coordinating ribbons (about 12” per cookie) – optional
Plastic straw – optional
Small cellophane bags – optional
Directions
1. Reduce the invitation, monogram or whatever you are using (I reduced to 2 ¼”)
2. Then copy it onto acetate paper – you should be able to fit approx 12 per page – and cut them out.
3. Roll out the cookie dough.
4. Using the fluted cookie cutter, cut out the dough.
5. Using a straw, cut out two holes – approximately ½” from top and 1” apart from each other on each cookie (see picture)
6. Then bake according to the recipe directions (see below).
7. Meanwhile roll out fondant
8. Using the square cookie cutter cut out fondant to a slightly smaller size then the cookies.
9. When the cookie has cooled, place the fondant square on top of cookie (if the fondant does not stick to the cookie try dabbing a drop of water on it).
10. Turn fondant covered cookie upside down. Push a plastic straw through the cookie holes and into the fondant. This will create holes in the fondant as well.
11. Place your cut out invitation, monogram, etc onto the fondant.
12. Use a pen to mark off holes on the paper and then using a hole puncher cut out the holes. Once again place your invitation, monogram, etc. over the fondant.
13. Push ribbon through holes (starting from the back of the cookie). You can use a toothpick to help push the ribbon through.
14. Then form a bow.
15. If you are planning to use the cookies as party favors, skip all the steps involved in making the holes. Acetate paper will stick to cookies with a dab of water.
16. For a finishing touch wrap cookies in cellophane bags and ribbons.
Mazal tov and much nachas!
Sugar Cookie recipe
Ingredients
4 cups flour
1 cup margarine
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 T. lemon juice
1 tsp. baking powder
1 T. vanilla sugar
1/4 c. orange juice
Directions
Mix flour and margarine in a large mixing bowl. Add sugar and eggs; mix. Add remaining dough ingredients; mix until well-combined. Roll dough out on parchment paper or cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes.