Cookie inspiration really is EVERYWHERE! Seriously, look to your right. That thing right there? That could be a cookie.
(I so hope you're not blog reading in the bathroom.)
Invitations are great jumping off points for cookie design ideas. Lately, I've been enamored with Swanky Press invitations. Our school ordered invites for our fundraiser from them (so cute!), and ever since, I keep popping over to their site for cookie ideas.
I fell in love with the rose garland on this bridal shower invitation and thought it would be just perfect for Mother's Day. {Note to my boys: Mother's Day is approaching!}
Don't worry, you need ZERO artistic skill to make these. You'll basically be painting cloud-shaped blobs on your cookies. If I can do it, so can YOU!
To make painted rose cookies, you'll need:
- cut-out cookies (my cookie cutter are from Truly Mad Plastics & Copper Gifts)
- royal icing, tinted with AmeriColor Bright White
- disposable icing bag
- coupler and #2 tip
- squeeze bottle
- paint palette or small ramekins
- small paintbrushes (used only for food) ;)
- paper towels
- AmeriColor food coloring, Soft Pink, Electric Pink, Leaf Green
- water
- black food coloring pen
Start by icing your cookies with a base coat of white icing. Outline the cookies with a #2 tip.
Thin the icing with water, a bit at a time, stirring with a silicone spatula, until it is the consistency of a thick syrup. You'll want to drop a "ribbon" of icing back into the bowl and have it disappear in a count of "one thousand one, one thousand two." Four is too thick, one is too thin. Count of 2-3 is good. Cover with a damp dishcloth and let sit for several minutes.
Stir gently with a silicone spatula to pop and large air bubbles that have formed. Pour into a squeeze bottle.
Fill in the outlines with the thinned icing, using a toothpick to guide to the edges and to pop large air bubbles.
Let the cookies dry, uncovered, 6-8 hours or overnight.
Once the cookies are completely dry, gather your supplies for painting: paintbrushes, palette, paper towels, food coloring, water, and food coloring pen.
I find it easier to start with the "Mom" in the center, then add the flowers. You could use a paintbrush for this, but I think a food coloring pen is the perfect tool here.
Next, mix food coloring with water in approximately equal amounts on your palette. Dip the brushes into the mixture, then blot well on paper towels before painting on the cookies.
The roses really are just little cloud shapes. With the soft pink food coloring, I filled in the shape, and then added detail with the electric pink. For the electric pink roses, I left them with white centers.
Add the leaves and garland in green.
Give the cookies about 30 minutes to dry completely.
On a totally weird, exciting, how-did-this-happen note...this Thursday morning, I'll be drinking...no wait, I'll be cooking/baking with with Ree and Maria and these two. YEP.
Excuse me while I pass out. I'll be the one hiding behind Ree.
