Making choc-chip cookies with leftover buttercream

The buttery gift that keeps on giving.

buttercream-cookies

I don’t have any kids yet – but I do have five nieces – so I’ve been to my fair share of all-important birthday parties. I can confidently say: the work that goes into children’s parties is nothing short of an ordeal. 

Beyond the pies and party bags, there’s a chaotic spread of leftover baking ingredients decorating the kitchen bench – sound familiar? (I’m sorry.) If you’ve got a raging sweet tooth like me, you know the best part of baking is licking the remnants of a mixing bowl, but it can all get a bit much when you’ve got it in bulk.

After my latest niece’s birthday party, I mentioned to our Food Director Amira Georgy that we had a huge bowl of buttercream leftover. (“It’s a crime to throw it away,” I said.) But then she let me in on a sweet little secret that has changed my life – and I know parents will thank me for it. It will not only prevent you from having excess leftover buttercream, but it will also give you an extra treat for the birthday table (or for you to enjoy after the guests leave). 

The problem: Leftover buttercream.

The result: Cookies. 

How to make cookies with buttercream

In just 15 minutes, you can turn your leftover buttercream into delicious little treats (plus your house will smell incredible). Personally, I love baking but hate wasting, so buttercream cookies are the only way. 

Amira says: “We all know making buttercream involves beating butter and sugar, but did you know what’s usually the first step to making cookies? You guessed it… beating butter and sugar! So you’re halfway to making cookies when you have some leftover buttercream up your sleeve.

All you have to do to turn the buttercream into a biscuit is add flour and egg to give them that classic biscuity texture. Amira also adds vanilla and chocolate chips for that authentic cookie flavour. She says they have “a chewy centre and crispy outer shell”.

What if my buttercream is coloured?

Amira says: “It doesn’t matter if you have coloured your buttercream, all that means is that your cookies will have an elegant pop of colour!”

And there you have it. Next time baking is on the agenda, remember to keep precious possession of all that buttercream. 

Get Amira’s buttercream recipe in full.

Originally published as Making choc-chip cookies with leftover buttercream