We started Handpicked to give people a trusted source of unusual and inspiring gift ideas. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a present well received and it’s our mission to make that simple. Our Expert Panel make sure we stay on track but we hope, with our blog, we’ll hear more from you too. Comment away!

Our buying team have trying to track down all the loveliest souvenirs with which to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Our favourite so far is this gorgeous jug by Jan Constantine. See all our ideas here.

Cookie Stamper & an easy-peasy Cookie Dough Recipe

We’ve just added a brand new product to our collection. Say Hello! to the Cookie Stamper. It comes in three colours each with different messages with which to emboss your homemade cookies; choose from ‘Home Made’, ‘I Love You’ or ‘Eat Me’. It seemed only appropriate that we track down a nice easy cookie dough recipe to go with it. The below is adapted (barely) from the BBC Good Food site.

Ingredients

250g butter , softened

140g caster sugar

1 egg yolk

2 tsp vanilla extract

300g plain flour

1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.

2. Mix 250g softened butter and 140g caster sugar in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.A

3. Add 1 egg yolk and 2 tsp vanilla extract and briefly beat to combine.

4. Sift over 300g plain flour and stir until the mixture is well combined.

5. Separate into golf balls sized balls. Flatten slightly and stamp with Cookie Stamp.

6. Place well apart on a baking tray and cook for 15 mins.

7. Cool on a wire rack.

8. Enjoy your cookies!

Or try a chocolatey alternative:

Triple Chocolate American-style Cookies

1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.

2. Make a batch of Basic biscuit dough as above but substituting 50g cocoa powder for 50g plain flour. Add 85g white chocolate chunks and 85g milk chocolate chunks, then mix well.

6. Place well apart on a baking tray and cook for 15 mins.

7. Cool on a wire rack.

8. Enjoy your cookies!

The Handpicked Collection has a great range of Kitchen Gifts and gadgets.

Posted: July 5th, 2012 under Handpicked News.