Rural Missouri - February 2023 - 49

the-scenes footage while she was baking and decorating cookies. When people
showed interest in learning more, she opened up her home to teach classes. " I
kept listening to my follower base and they wanted to learn online, so I opened
up what we call the Virtual Cookie Club, " April says. " It's an online subscription
group where I teach a new class every month and you have access to everything
I have ever taught. "
The first digital product was what April affectionately calls her little e-book
that could. " It has my cut-out sugar cookie recipe and all my tips and tricks on
how to bake up the perfect cookie, " she says. " I didn't know when I first started
that there was a difference between a drop sugar cookie and a cut-out sugar
cookie. I would bake up one of those Pillsbury tubes and I would be like, 'This
doesn't look like a reindeer. It looks like a hippo.' That's because it's a completely
different recipe. "
New content is added once per week on average. From videos explaining various
techniques and topics such as color theory, to demonstrations from start
to finish and even discussions for business owners with practical questions,
there's something for everyone.
" We've had people who have never picked up a bag of icing or made a cookie
and then we've had people who have been doing this for 20-plus years and have
successful, home-based businesses. It's a wonderful community, " says April.
" They come for the decorating and stay because they've made lifelong friends in
the group. "
April and her creative team - which includes several family members and
the occasional little cookie monster - love working from home. They're always
dreaming of new things they can bring to the table. A monthly subscription box
focuses on a specific theme and includes custom cookie cutters and other fun
supplies. The Cookie Life Box is a different surprise for recipients every time.
" I always film one tutorial for a specific cookie from each box, " April adds.
" One month may feature various sports, sea animals or a sock hop. Another
might be vintage themed. "
Another recent endeavor is a seasonal online magazine, called Sweet &
Saucy Life. This passion project highlights instructors, cookiers and bakers.
If someone asks about a certain technique that April doesn't know, she
doesn't shy away from the challenge. " You never stop learning. I'm very transparent
that I don't know everything, " April says, adding she's not afraid to make
mistakes either. " I've scraped a cookie a hundred times before and I'm really
honest about that and people seem to like that. I'm very clear that if you want
perfection, I'm not your girl. But I'm real and if I make a mistake, we'll figure it
out together or else I'll show you how to hide it, " she says with a laugh.
People are often surprised at the detail and time it requires to craft such
intricate, yet edible designs. " Depending on the cookie, it can take hours to
completely decorate. The very first time I tried, it took me four hours to paint
three cookies. "
Inside April's classes, viewers can follow along as she highlights the various
stages from prep all the way through decorating. She loves teaching fun, alternative
styles. And her favorite cookie cutters are the ones that can be used for
multiple purposes, oftentimes by flipping around and re-imagining the cookie
into something new. " Cookies can be as technical as you want them to be or as
simple as throwing some icing and sprinkles on it and having fun, " she adds.
" There's no wrong way. "
Like any creative process, though, there's always a fair share of trial
and error. " People need to remember that it's art, " she says. " Give yourself
permission to learn and make mistakes. If your kids were learning, you'd
encourage them to keep trying, and that's what you
need to tell yourself. Be gentle on yourself and don't
forget to have fun. It's just a cookie. You can always
eat the evidence. "
Platte City
To learn more about April Kolanchick and Sweet &
Saucy Life, visit www.sweetandsaucylife.com or www.
instagram.com/sweetandsaucylife.
Kaiser is a freelance writer from Hartville.
Opposite page: April Kolanchick
transforms fresh-baked cookies into delightful
flowers from her Platte City kitchen. Above:
April's cookie designs take unique, colorful
and sometimes photorealistic forms.
FEBRUARY 2023 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 49
http://www.instagram.com/sweetandsaucylife http://www.sweetandsaucylife.com http://www.instagram.com/sweetandsaucylife http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP
Rural Missouri - February 2023

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