There are certain cookies I look forward to decorating every year - Christmas cookies, Halloween cookies, and First Communion Cookies.
I've made them for Jack and Jack's class, for orders (back many, many moons ago when I took cookie orders), and for my nephews - see Mac, Tony, and Leo's First Communion cookies. When I started thinking about making cookies for my niece Rosie's big day, it occurred to me that I'd never made First Communion cookies specifically for a girl.
I went all-in on pink and roses. Roses for Rosie. Can you blame me?
How to Make First Communion Cookies for a Girl
- You'll want a great cut-out cookie. I used this vanilla bean cut-out cookie recipe.
- A chalice cookie cutter is essential. It looks like the one I have has been discontinued, but I found a couple that are similar here and here.
- The other shapes are optional. You could use just about any shape for the rosary cookie - circle, square, oval.
- I used my no-fail royal icing recipe.
- Food coloring used: Chefmaster Deep Pink, Bright White, Leaf Green, Americolor Gold and Soft Pink, and Cookie Countess Neon Pink.
- Gold luster dust
- Food-only paintbrush
- Everclear or vodka for mixing the luster dust
The lace-trimmed heart cookies were made using this simple royal icing lace-detail technique.
How to apply luster dust for a metallic sheen
This the chalice cookie pre-luster dust. When I'm using gold luster dust, I always use royal icing tinted "gold" or pale yellow. When using silver luster, I tint my icing grey.
Luster dust has to be applied once the icing is completely dried, and usually, I wait to apply any other piped icing until the luster dust is in place. I got ahead of myself this time and piped the flowers first. Oops! Never fear, I just used a small paintbrush to go around the flowers, then switched to a larger brush to apply the rest to the chalice.
Here it is after the luster dust application. If you've never used luster dust, it's easy. Mix a tiny bit with Everclear or vodka until you have a consistency you can use to paint. Paint on a cookie that's dried overnight. The alcohol will evaporate, leaving the metallic sheen.
It's important to use a luster dust approved for consumption. I like this Crystal Colors Antique Gold.
Here's another look at cookies with and without luster dust. Just the cross on the top cookie has been painted with luster dust. It's actually a pretty look either way, but the luster dust just adds that pop of gold.
Happy First Communion, Rosie! We love you!
