Half-Baked Cinderella cookies

This little ditty grew out of a class free-write exercise while I was writing my Global Honors thesis, "If the Shoe Fits"--The Evolution of the Cinderella Fairy Tale from Literature to Television. I've spent the better part of the last year immersed in fairy tale imagery, and it has shown up in a lot of my writing. Enjoy!

Half-Baked “Cinderella” Cookies:

Ingredients:

Daughter

Step-Mother (1)

Stepsisters (1 or 2—best if somewhat supercilious)

Shoes – to verify identity

Ball gowns

Conversation—scholarly brand

Childhood fantasy—preferably Princess-oriented

Fairy godparents (mothers are best)

Cultural Variants (whatever’s in season)

Disney© Brand “Pixie Dust

Baking Directions:

These petite and sugary-sweet confections are simple to make—requiring very little effort—making them the perfect project for mothers and young daughters.

Choose one dutiful daughter, fully ripe. (Be sure to wash thoroughly to remove soot and ashes). Add one wicked stepmother and two snooty stepsisters. Sprinkle in several cultural variants—hazel twigs, goat skins or birds (whatever you have on hand will do); “recognizable” shoes—preferably glass (size extra small); gifted gowns, twinkling with fairy dust; winter vegetables (pumpkin is preferred) and rodents, of course; fairy godmothers with glittering wands, offering words of wisdom and a strict curfew, and of course, a sparkly tiara. Stir until well-blended. Allow the mixture to sit—covered—for several hundred years.

When 20^th century temperatures are reached (be sure to allow for global warming), uncover and knead carefully. Dust with scholarly conversations and little girls’ fantasies, and escort to the Ball to rest.

Taking a small portion of the dough, and using 1950’s feminist theory, roll it out—very thin—and, using a slipper-shaped cookie cutter, form several picture-perfect cookies. Bake for 60 years in a moderate oven. Watch carefully, taking care not to overbake. Sprinkle liberally with Disney© Brand “Pixie Dust,” and set in a palace window to cool. (Watch out for vermin and birds)

Bright, dainty and tantalizing, these cookies will reveal a vision of perfection not seen in nature, and are the perfect complement for a fantasy tea party with friends. Enjoy!

From the kitchen of:

~Margaret Lundberg