Lise’ Zondler, author of Z biscuits in an earlier post (http://cookthepart.com/2010/10/31/z-biscuits/), has graciously shared another story and the accompanying recipes with us below.  If you have a great story about holiday traditions, please share it in the comments to this post, or consider guest blogging on Cook the Part.

Lise' and Juliet

A Crown for Juliet

A Crown for Juliet!
With all the wonderful baking going on this time of year, great memories and wonderful traditions, I wanted to share the story of A Crown for Juliet.
Juliet is my 4-year-old Goddaughter. I was with her the moments after her birth. She was born so premature, that her entire body fit in the palm of my hand with room to spare. We have photographs of her wearing her mother’s wedding ring on her upper arm and it is hanging off. Ok, how many of you just looked down at the rings on your fingers? Yes, Juliet was tiny and incredibly fragile, but such a blessing. She spent almost her entire first year of life in the NIC U. 
While Mommy and Daddy were spending full days and long nights at the hospital, the cooking fairy would leave meals in the fridge and goodies, especially cookies, on the counter. I became known as the Cookie Fairy. When Juliet’s first birthday arrived, I wanted to do something special, thus was started the tradition of A Crown for Juliet! Since her first birthday and the three that have followed I have made Juliet crown cookies for her birthday. I envision and look forward to the day when I am sending crown cookies to Juliet when she is away at college. She has had so many challenges in her young life, but her spirit is so beautiful and it touches everyone that meets her.
My favorite cookie to make, by far, is A Crown for Juliet!  When we get a chance to to slow down and recall, with tenderness, the loved ones and friends that we share our craft with it is precisely at that time traditions start and memories are made… and yes, the crown cookies are regularly requested by my girlfriends of all ages to help celebrate their special days and I love that!
Happy Baking! The Cookie Fairy

Best Rolled Sugar Cookies:
*1 C butter room temp
*1 1/2 C sugar
*2 eggs
*3 tsp vanilla
*3 C flour
*2 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp salt
In a mixing bowl cream together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add dry ingredients into the butter mixture until well combined. Chill dough overnight. Roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface and cut into desired shapes. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes in a pre-heated 375 degree F. oven. Transfer cookies to cooling racks and cool completely before decorating.
Best Sugar Cookie Icing
*2 tsp milk
*1 C confectioners sugar
*2 tsp. light corn syrup
*1/4 tsp almond extract
*coloring
Place milk in a bowl, add and mix confectioners sugar in 1/2 C increments until the entire cup is combined. Add corn syrup and almond extract and mix it well, I mean muscle it, to become smooth and glossy. If the icing is too thick add more corn syrup in small bits. Use coloring if desired. Decorate and ice cookies to your liking.