Dem Bones

The idea for these cookies came from the booklet, Martha Stewart Cookie Decorating (Simple Techniques For Extra-Special Treats). The link will get you to Amazon, but unfortunately, it is out-of-stock. My sister bought me this book last year from Michael's, but I haven't seen it there in a while. It's a great little 24-page book filled with ideas and instructions.

I always get nervous trying a new cookie idea, but every time I look at these, they make me laugh. I really like them. I used AmeriColor Avocado coloring for the skeletons and they ended up a ghostly green color, almost like glow-in-the-dark. I hadn't planned it that way, but it turned out pretty cool.

Here's a question for all of you....sanding sugar or no? I started applying it like Martha suggests and then couldn't decide if I liked them better plain or not, so I did half and half. What do you think? I'm already planning for next year. :)

I'm mailing these...and some others...to my dad so he can hand them out at work. Stay tuned later in the week for tombstones!

To make the skeleton/coffin cookies:

Pipe a coffin shape in black icing, using a #2 tip. (Spectrum Super Black)
Thin black icing with water to a consistency of syrup. cover with a damp towel and let sit several minutes.
Run a rubber spatula through the icing to pop air bubbles that have formed on top. Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
Fill in the coffins with the thinned black flood icing.
Let dry at least 1 hour.
Using a #2 tip and light green icing, pipe a skeleton shape on the coffins. (AmeriColor Avocado)
Before this icing has set, use the black piping icing to make eyes and a mouth on the face.
If using sanding sugar, let the cookies dry overnight.
Mix a little meringue powder with water and brush on the skeleton shape using a small paintbrush.
Sprinkle with clear sanding sugar.