Blog: Julia M. Usher

Need one of Julia’s foolproof recipes? Some stunning cookie decorating ideas? Or a quick fix on Julia’s latest news and events? Well then, you’re in the right place! Here, you can stay up-to-the-minute current on everything that’s happening in Julia’s kitchen and studio – and in that always-churning mind of hers! IMPORTANT: Julia is still formatting blog entries prior to 2021 to conform to the new site layout. Please don’t be surprised if some back entries look a little wacky, and please be patient as she edits them over time.
Julia M. Usher

Mulled Cider Sorbet

Who says mulled cider has to be hot? Here’s an icy, spicy-sweet version that makes a wonderful holiday pie topper or standalone amuse bouche

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November 26, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Pistachio-Cranberry Brittle

I miss my mother-in-law. I didn’t tell many of you, but she passed away this fall. If you’ve lost someone you love, you know: the holidays can be tough. They bring with them a strange mixed bag of emotions. There’s

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November 26, 2012
Julia M. Usher

A Cookie Coming-Out

Ka-ching! Ka-ching! Not familiar with that sound? Well then, you’re as lucky as a kid in a candy shop, because most of us can recognize the sound of the cash register tallying up party damages from miles away. There’s no

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July 11, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Pistachio (or Almond)-Rosewater Shortbread

When I’m at my island home-away-from-home where the über-fragrant Rugosa Rose grows with abandon on every roadside, I infuse the butter and sugar in this recipe with the real deal: the flower petals themselves. But, alas, not everyone is lucky

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June 18, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Old-Fashioned Rose Cookies, Four Ways

While prepping for my recent video shoot, I became fascinated with these simple rose cookies and how amazingly different the same stamped cookie could look with only slight variations in other decorative treatments. The effects range from sharp and clean

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June 10, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Lapsang Souchong-Star Anise Ice Cream

Love coffee ice cream, but seeking a slightly more daring flavor? Well then, try this smoked black tea (lapsang souchong) ice cream infused with a bit of orange zest and the exotic licorice-ness of star anise. If you prefer a

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May 31, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Cranberry-Cabernet Rosemary Sorbet

Granted, it may be a little chronologically inappropriate to post a cranberry recipe as we’re heading into summer on this continent. But the tartness of this sorbet makes it a refreshing palate cleanser even in the height of our dog

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May 31, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Packing Cookies for the Long Haul

If you’ve ever worked in the wedding cake business, you’ll appreciate why I always approached delivery day with an impending sense of doom. After putting hundreds of hours into each wedding cake, I shuddered at the thought of any misstep

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May 31, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Beadwork Technique Tips

Even though some people may think of beadwork (the making of perfectly round icing dots) as a minor icing detail, I treat it here and in my book Ultimate Cookies as a full-fledged decorating technique. Why the extra attention? Well, partly because

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May 30, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Making a Parchment Pastry Cone

I hope you’ll find it reassuring to learn that I do 95 percent of my cookie decorating with this simple DIY tool, also called a cornet. Rarely do I go as far as rigging a reusable bag with a metal

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May 26, 2012
Step 1: Hold the Cone by the Notch When Filling
Julia M. Usher

Filling and Handling a Parchment Pastry Cone

So how do you use my favorite decorating tool once it’s made? Regardless of the decorating technique you choose, there are some basic cone handling instructions to always apply! Read on, and/or check out Lesson 4 in my cookie decorating video

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May 26, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise (aka Aioli)

My rendition of aioli, though very garlicky, isn’t as biting as some, since the roasting of the garlic bulbs mellows their inherent sharpness. It’s also as delicious atop meat (see my Red, White, and Blue Burgers) as it is mixed into

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May 25, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Rhubarb-Apple Chutney

I’m not proud to admit to this behavior, but I await the arrival of rhubarb like a spoiled child anticipating the reckless ripping open of presents on Christmas Day. Once I spot the season’s first stalks, my eyes widen, visions

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May 25, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Red, White, and Blue Burgers

Though perfect for your Memorial Day or Fourth of July fête, this burger is tasty all year ‘round – and colorful, too! The red refers to the roasted red peppers and sundried tomatoes mixed into the meat; the white to

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May 20, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Easy Ephemera Name Tags

Need some name tags or place cards, but hate your handwriting? Or tired of store-bought options and canned clip art, yet not the best artist? It’s all good – you can still craft beautiful tags using special fonts and ephemera

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May 15, 2012
Julia M. Usher

Campy Cookie-Cake Pops

More assembly instructions than detailed baking how-to, this interactive (read: get-your-hands-dirty) dessert is infinitely adaptable! The concept? Each party-goer gets his/her own personalized roasting fork to deck out to taste. Here, I give two options for topping the forks: a

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May 14, 2012

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