This one-of-a-kind treasury is a complete guide to every aspect of the cookie cutter art: there are instructions for baking and cutting cookies and making and applying icing, as well as sources for cutters (Butts even shows you how to create your own,) and unusual ways to present cookies for entertaining and gift giving. Butts gives detailed, illustrated directions for more than ten piping techniques, including garlands, flowers, and pull-through designs, as well as special decorative effects like sponge painting and shading.The heart of the book is "A Cookie Calendar," with delectable recipes for more than twenty different kinds of cookies, and more than forty designs with decorating instructions for each one. January brings Almond Nut-Crunch Cookie Snowmen, while Pansies made of Mrs. Harlan's Highbrow Shortbread welcome the first day of spring. A Wedding Cake made of Chocolate Lovers' Shortbread Mainlined with Espresso makes a perfect shower favor, and Spiced Molasses Cookies in the form of colorful Autumn Leaves and Indian Corn make Thanksgiving even more special.From Gingerbread Santas and Hanukkah Dreidels to a Chocolate Minichip Apple for the Teacher, these cookies are irresistible to nibble on and just as much fun to make. Read Less