Decorate Your Own (DYO)
Tips and Tricks
I've listed some tips and tricks below to make your own beautiful cookies! I also included links to some of my favorite tutorial videos so you can see the techniques in action
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You want to start by re-mixing the icing in the piping bags. Some color separation is normal, just gently knead the bag for about 2 minutes to mix it back together. Make sure it is at room temperature for the best results!
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To get started with decorating, cut off a very small piece of the tip of your piping bag with sharp scissors. You want a fairly thin line of icing for the outlining, but you can always cut more later for flooding or thicker lines!
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Have fun!
Outlining and Flooding
You always want to draw a thin outline with the icing before flooding so it doesn't spill off the image- you can see my outline on Santa's beard. Try to think of the icing as a string, you want to have a bit hanging out of your tip as you stretch it across the cookie while squeezing lightly.
"Flooding" means filling the cookie with a base coating of color. You only need a thin layer of flood! To get a flat, even layer- you can wiggle the cookie around and/or use a toothpick to spread the icing while wet.
Adding Details & Designs
You can get creative here! I used little dots of icing on the bottom of the onesie and drew on the leaves by squeezing out some icing then pulling the bag away while lightening up the pressure from my hand.
Sprinkles are an easy way to add adorable decorations too!
If you want these to harden up and look pretty for a week or two, let each layer/color of icing dry fully, or they'll bleed together while they dry.
Mutiple Colors
I made the giraffe's spots by first flooding the gold color then adding the brown spots while the gold was still wet. Give it a wiggle, and it will settle together smoothly!
To make a 3-d effect like his hooves and mouth, I let the gold designs dry completely before adding the other colors right next to it, which leaves the visible crease you see here.