Artist Palette Biscuit/Cookie Recipe
The response to these little art palette biscuits on social media was such a lovely surprise. After the disappointment of having to cancel my art workshop due to a sudden migraine, seeing so many people online find joy in these cute cookies was a balm for my achy brain. My teenage son made them for my workshop and I think he did a fantastic job.
If you are as impatient as me and don't want to read a long preamble, here is the recipe he used.
The Artist Palette Biscuits
Adapted from Nigella Lawson’s ‘Cut-Out Biscuits’
Ingredients:
- 175g soft unsalted butter
- 200g caster sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 400g plain flour (plus a little extra for dusting)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- A packet of M&Ms (or Smarties/Candy Beans etc.)
- 3 tbs icing sugar (plus boiling water to mix a paste)
Method:
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- Mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) and gradually add to the butter mixture until you have a soft dough. If it feels too sticky, add a touch more flour.
- Chill the dough for at least an hour. This is the secret to them holding their shape.
- Roll and cut: Roll out to about 5mm thickness. Use a palette-shaped cutter (or hand-cut a bean shape).
- The thumb hole: Use a small circular tool - the end of a piping nozzle works perfectly - to punch out the hole.
- Bake: Pop them in a preheated oven at 180°C (160°C fan) for 8–12 minutes until they are golden at the edges.
Decorate:
Add enough boiling water to icing sugar to make a thick gluey paste. Dip your M&Ms (or alternative) into the icing and place on the palette.
Storage:
To freeze baked biscuits: You can freeze these (un-iced) for up to 3 months. Just layer them in an airtight container with a bit of baking parchment in between so they don't stick together.
To freeze the dough: Wrap your dough balls tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge. Give the dough about 30 minutes on the counter before rolling.
Storing: Once baked, they’ll stay fresh in a proper airtight tin for about 5 days.
If you do make your own version of these biscuits please do feel free to share your pictures online and tag me @georginawestleyartdesign I’d love to see your palette biscuits.
The Palette Shape
I used this palette-shaped cutter. It’s a sturdy little tool that turned a standard biscuit into a piece of art. You can grab one for your own kitchen from Ann Clark Cookie Cutters.
Biscuits, Cookies, or Sablés? A little global guessing game.
I was curious to see how the rest of the world might describe these little arty sweet treats. Can you match the name to the country? (No cheating. The answers are at the bottom of the page.)
- Sablés en forme de palette d'artiste
- Kunstpaletten-Kekse
- Biscotti a forma di tavolozza d'arte
- Kruche ciasteczka
- Kunspalet-beskuitjies
Migraine Stopped Play
These biscuits were meant to be a welcome treat for my students attending my ‘Reclaim Your Creativity’ art workshop. The kindness and patience that the attendees showed when I cancelled at the last minute was heartwarming; I hate letting people down and I was really grateful for their understanding.
I am reluctant to schedule another in person course until I can get my migraines under control. But, I am going to create an online tutorial instead. I will work on it over the next few months and I will be teaching you step by step how to create your own beautiful expressive sunsets. If you would like to be the first to know about these then please sign up for my newsletter.
For a quick example of my painting style you can watch this time-lapse You Tube short video, it’s only 60 seconds.
The Blank Canvas (x 20)
Leftover biscuits are never a problem in our house. However, as the workshop didn't go ahead, I’ve also been left with twenty blank canvases. These might take a bit more work than eating biscuits. I’m planning to transform them into a series of twenty stunning sunset paintings and I’ve already made a start. Here is the very first piece from the collection.
The Quiet Magic Of Making
Whether it’s baking a batch of biscuits, crocheting a scarf, or painting a sunset, I truly believe that the act of creating is the best way to find some peace when life gets a bit overwhelming.
"The heart of the creative process is simply showing up." Julia Cameron - The Artist's Way
If you’d like to follow along as I tackle these 20 canvases, or if you want to be the first to know when my online sunset workshops are ready to launch, please sign up for my newsletter and follow me on social media.
Speak soon, Georgina x
Answers: 1. France | 2. Germany | 3. Italy | 4. Poland | 5. South Africa