Chinese 長衫 Onesie Cookies

The Chinese tradition of celebrating a new baby's 100th day!

In the past, it was a gathering to celebrate a baby's survival of 100 days. Healthy and strong enough to leave the house, it was also the time for extended family and friends to meet the baby.

Nowadays, it's also a day to celebrate the parents' themselves, for surviving the first 100 days of a new baby! Additionally, it has become somewhat synonymous with the Red Egg and Ginger celebration, traditionally held a month after the birth of a baby. Hard boiled eggs were dyed red for luck, and to symbolize fertility and a new beginning. Ginger represents the gold, but more importantly, it is used in elixir's and medicines to help the mother recover from childbirth. It helps get rid of the "wind" element in the CHI of her body after giving birth.

However it is celebrated, it is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate a new life, a new member of the community.

I think I may make just the 長衫 cookies for the Lunar New Year, they're so cute!

Oh, and did I tell ever you how much I detest red food coloring?!

Even more so when trying to color multiple recipes at once! quarts at once! I made way more than enough, but didn't want to run out. Still trying to figure out how to make just enough icing. My hands afterwards looked like I killed someone, and couldn't wash the blood off my hands... ok, that's not dark...

if anyone else has a better option for a good solid red food coloring, please let me know! I am on the search!