Chocolate Pistachio Swirl Cake & SRS

It's that time again for our Surprise Recipe Swap.  This is a fun swap hosted by Jutta over at Hungry Little Girl.  For the swap you are assigned a new blog partner each month and you get to look through their blog, find a recipe to try then make it and blog about it.  If you are interested please click on the link at the bottom of this post.

This month I was assigned Heather from My Sweet Mission blog.  I was excited to check out this blog I hadn't visited before.  Heather has an amazing assortment of recipes to chose from.  I actually printed out several of her recipes to try including Patriotic {no roll} Sugar Cookies, Crusty Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes, and Warm Waffle Brownies, and finally settled on her Chocolate Pistachio Swirl Cake for this swap.

Cookie Swap - Blog Hop ~ Michelle's Tasty Creations

Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop

(really it's a linky party)

(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)

Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap ~ The Sweet Boutique

Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop

(really it's a linky party)

(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)

Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.

Here is the line up:

Sweet Boutique    November 20

The Domesticated Princess    November 27

Michelle's Tasty Creations  December 4

 Living, Loving, Crafting    December 11

Make sure you come back each week for a great new cookie recipe, plus each blog will be featuring their own favorite cookie links from the party!

I know you guys are thinking, boring...a sugar cookie, really?  But, just hear me out on this one.

Not only is this the BEST sugar cookie recipe I have ever tried, just look what you can do with it.  Basic becomes beautiful with just a little effort.

I chose several different looks to share with you today.

Top left:  Royal icing topped with silver dragees.

Top middle:  Royal icing drizzle

Top right:  Fondant cut out

Bottom left:  Cream cheese icing with silver sprinkles

Bottom middle:  Royal icing topped with candy cane white chocolate bark

Bottom right:  Royal icing with a hand painted design topped with silver dragees.

When put together they make an elegant, special, and delicious holiday treat.

The Recipe

(This is from The Confetti Cakes Cookbook by Elisa Strauss)

2 1/3 cup plus 2 Tbs. All purpose flour

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking powder

1 1/2 Sticks butter, unsalted

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs. Sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

In a bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.  In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.  Add half of the flour mixture and mix until combined.  Add the other half of the flour mixture and beat until combined.  I wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.  Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut our cookies to desired shape and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

(If you have any questions on how I achieved these looks please feel free to ask.)

Sweet Holiday Wishes,

                                   -Stephanie

On to the party!

Please follow all four co-hosts.

This linky is for COOKIE RECIPE posts only, please!

Link up as many times as you want!  

This is a month long party so keep coming back for more recipes and features! 

 Each blog will be featuring their favorite links each week! 

(Make sure you get a button if you have been featured.)