Creative living: Cookies, tropical flowers to be featured

Information on preparing princess cutout cookies and arranging tropical flowers will be the featured topics on "Creative Living" 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon Thursday.

Cookbook authors Kimberly Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero will share a story from their cookbook "Sugar, Sugar," as they prepare princess cutout cookies. They'll show how to roll out the dough, then using a variety of cookie cutters and decorations; they will create fun cookies for any occasion. They are from Tarzana, Calif.

Casey Schwartz co-owns the Flower Duet in Redondo Beach, Fla., and she is going to show how to take sets of tropical flowers and pull them together into a showstopper perfect for an entryway or front desk at a reception. There is very little prep to do with these types of flowers that are often sold in grocery stores.

Information on toy selection and making plaster mosaic clocks will be the featured topics on "Creative Living" noon Tuesday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Stevann Auerbach knows that play is essential in the development of a well-rounded resilient child. She'll explain how smart play plus smart toys will produce smart kids, which is based on her latest book by the same name. She's from San Francisco.

Kristen Peck is an author and designer from Virginia Beach, VAa. She will show how to use plaster to create a mosaic-looking clock.

Princess Cutout Cookies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting, sprinkles or other decorations

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Place the butter, shortening and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitting with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until creamy. Reduce the speed to low and add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, and blend until smooth. Form the dough into a ball and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter dusted with flour to prevent sticking. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 6 to 7 minutes, until the cookies set. Remove from the oven and cool for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack to let cool completely. Frost and decorate with sprinkles.

"Creative Living" is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations in the United States, Canada, Guam and Puerto Rico and is distributed by Westlink of Albuquerque.