Julia M. Usher - Julia M Ushers Ultimate Cookies

Mom decorating cookies with me and my sister Betsy, circa 1971. (Im the one still in my jammies, wondering if my star cookie is up to snuff!)

Im only being partly facetious when I say that I wouldnt have finished this book had it not been for C&H and KitchenAid. Most days, my basement test kitchen was a flurry of powdered sugar with me at the center of the storm, kicking up plumes of the stuff as I raced to meet pressing book deadlines. An impressive 600 pounds of powdered sugar were expended to produce the 300 batches of Royal Icing that went into this book! Naturally, I needed something in which to blend all this icing, which is where my KitchenAid mixer, affectionately called Old Faithful, came in. In 1996, Old Faithful dutifully accompanied me from cooking school in Boston to my bakery in St. Louis. Seven years of professional service, thousands of wedding cakes, and one cookbook later, she started the recipes for this book. Nothing, not even frayed electrical cord or missing spokes, stopped her. It wasnt until my final deadline that she had to be replacedand only because her off switch never turned off. Ironic to be retired for working too hard, wouldnt you say?

There are, of course, real live peoplenot just inanimate objects with namesto thank! My first book Cookie Swap was four years in the making, and while this project went from contract to bookstore about four times faster, I leaned on as many people, if not more, along the way. You see, no matter how simple you think creative projects are going to be, they have a way of morphing into more than ever dreamed. So, first, thanks to all of my loyal Cookie Swap fans for launching that book into its ninth printing and for providing just the sustenance needed on my 120-stop book tour. Without your support, I probably wouldnt have written a second bookand certainly not so close on the heels of the first. Thank you, too, for asking me the hard decorating questions and always answering those I posted to Facebook. I am especially grateful to Jane Bonacci, Carolyn Lawrence, Debbie Lynskey, Kathie Reuter, Joanne Shellan, and Robin Traversy for the cookie decorating conundrums they posed for sidebars in the book and the companion FAQ pdf on my website, and to Marian Poirier of the popular blog Sweetopia for promoting my first book and standing at the ready to push this one.

While there were many suppliers who, wittingly and unwittingly, contributed wonderful props and products for Ultimate Cookies, I feel compelled to single out a few. First, Nancy Lee Quist, Sally Rue, and the rest of the staff at fancyflours.com. Im sure they know how many last-minute orders they filled for me. (I lost count months ago!) All I remember is that they filled each and every one with incredible style and speed. Second, the folks at Chicago Metallic. What a privilege it was to experiment (for free) with their very fine bakeware. And last but not least, Carol Fyhrie and Chris Priest of Warson Woods Antiques Gallery, and the Culbertson family of Quintessentials Antiques. I routinely raided their stores in quest of the perfect accessory, and they never once flinched.

My gratitude also goes to my immensely supportive agent (and sometimes therapist) Sorche Fairbank, my capable editors Lisa Anderson and Jennifer Adams, and the many other talented folks at Gibbs Smith, Publisher. Of course, not to be forgotten is Steve Adams, my always clear-headed photographer, who kept up with an unprecedented 30-plus shots a day, over nine 10-hour days. (Phew! I still get tired thinking about those numbers.)

Now that the powdered sugar has settled, theres one person, though, who rises above the plumes. Bryan, my soul mate and strength, thank you for listening patiently, for making (I wont say how many) dinners after I had baked myself silly all day, for critiquing the occasional snake or lizard cookie, and, most important, for not retiring me for working too hard. I love you.

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