Tasty Spring Project: Make These Pretty Watercolor Cookies!
/
Are you looking for a pretty, springy Easter treat, or a crafty food project for spring break? These super easy and fun “watercolor” decorated cookies that I made for the current issue of Reveal Magazine are the thing! (You can use egg-shaped cookie cutters if you have!)
What you’ll need:
- Sugar cookies (your favorite recipe or store-bought), cooled if homemade
- Royal icing (see below)
- Resealable sandwich bag (or piping bags with a #2 or #3 round tips)
- Rubber bands or piping bag clips
- Toothpicks
- Paper towel
- Food coloring
- Vodka or other high proof clear alcoholic beverage (to thin food coloring if needed...because it is quick-drying and won’t dissolve the icing)
Royal Icing
4 cups confectioners' sugar (1 lb box) + more if needed to thicken
3 tablespoons meringue powder
7 tablespoons lukewarm water (more if needed but add only a drop at a time)
1. Mix sugar and meringue powder together into the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low (or mix by hand).
2. Mix in 5 tablespoons of water, and then add a tablespoon at a time up to 7, if needed, until you get a honey-like consistency. The right consistency is very important! Too much water and your icing will ooze off your cookie when you pipe it on, too little and it won’t smooth out. To determine that your consistency is perfect, scoop some icing up with a spoon and let a ribbon drip back in. It should smooth out within 9-10 seconds. If it's too stiff, add just a few drops of water. If it’s too thin, you can sprinkle in some more confectioner’s sugar.
3. Fill piping bags: Place one corner of a resealable sandwich bag in a drinking glass and fold the edges over. Fill the bag, cinch closed tightly with a rubber band or clip. (If using a sandwich bag, use scissors to snip a tiny bit off the corner). Fill another piping bag with the black icing.
4. Pipe an outline around the cookie to create a "dam" to fill in. Pipe within the outline to "flood" the cookie. Allow the cookies to dry, uncovered, for 24 hours
5. Use an alcoholic beverage to thin out food coloring to your desired shade.
To splatter the food coloring, tap a loaded paintbrush on the side of another brush..or on the side of a wooden spoon or scissors.
Here’s the cover of Reveal, Spring 2021 issue!
Enjoy creating your tasty masterpieces! (Don’t forget, there are no mistakes in art!) xo