Fried dough is tasty
With sprinkles of cinnamon
Or just plain sugar

Treats from Krispy Kreme
Make me want to scream out loud
Sugar makes me high

Who loves their doughnuts?
Put you hand up and say me
Chocolate with sprinkles

Sweet dough in hot oil
Comes out golden brown and crisp
Dunked in strong coffee

Too many doughnuts
Balance it with an apple
Better not be fried

With fish on my plate
Craving fried chicken instead
With mashed potato

Everyone loves cookies. Whether you are 3, 13, 23 or 33, cookies provide you with a sweet buttery texture, unrivaled by any other type of baked treat. For a 30th birthday today, I made a set of cookies in the shape of hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades. There have been many a card game played with this 30 year old, and with him having a more outer than inner child, the card set inspired cookies were a perfect treat.

I used my tried and tested butter cookies recipe. It is simple, so quick and the rolling-cookie cutting action is a lot of fun. Even when you are 5 years from being 30! When the rolling part came, I realised that my rolling pin was amiss, so I turned to a very slim bottle of cognac, bought duty free on my way home from Thailand. The reason for the purchase was not because I am a cognac drinker, but because on the bottle is a pretty lady, in a fancy dress, and I remember thinking, when holding the bottle in tax-free heaven, “This could make a great rolling pin, if I ever needed one”. Really.

Tried & Tested Butter Cookies

200g butter, soft and at room temperature
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup castor sugar
2 cups of flour
1 egg separated, use the yolk
2 tbsp milk

With your electric beater set on medium, cream butter until soft. Gradually pour in the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Separate the egg, and add the yolk (slightly beaten with a fork) to the butter-sugar mixture.Add the milk and vanilla extract. Slow speed down and mix, until you get a smooth consistency. Sift in the flour and mix either with spoon or finger tips until you have firm ball of cookie dough. Roll into a ball, add to floured surface and roll out. Cookie cutter of your choice and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 150c. Look for a golden result. Cool completely before icing.

For the icing I turned to the trusty Epicurious recipe database and used the Black & White Cookies icing recipe. Instead of corn syrup, I used honey and exchanged lemon juice for fresh orange juice. This out of health reasons (honey) and convenience (orange juice). After making the base icing, separate into three bowls, add 3 tablespoons of dutch cocoa to one bowl and stir briskly. And a good splashing of red food colouring to the second. With a small spatula apply the icing onto the cookies, once cooled down. Best served with a tall glass of cold milk. Milk moustache guaranteed.