A simple recipe for painting on royally iced sugar cookies.
Let’s face it, royal icing isn’t necessarily the least complicated way to ice a cookie, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful ways to do it. If you’re anything like me, and homemade is always best, by the time you’ve got your dough rolled out, cookies cut, baked in the oven, icing made, icing piped…icing dried…you very well may be ready for an end in sight.
As much as I love baking, and being in the kitchen, decorating with royal icing just isn’t my happy place. No matter how easy those Tasty videos make it look, detailed work with royal icing is a time consuming and meticulous job. However, if you’re in need of tips for working with royal icing, click here.
However, I am happy to report — there is an easy way out. I came across the decorative cookie method of painting on royal icing in one of my favorite baking books, The Art of the Cookie. Within the pages of this book were these rustic, yet elegant little Christmas trees that looked as though they had been brushed with watercolors. Those little Christmas trees spoke to me that day, and I was left with no choice, but to make them.
MATERIALS FOR PAINTING ROYALLY ICED SUGAR COOKIES
For painting on royal icing, generally speaking, you’ll need food-safe paint brushes, gel food coloring (found at specialty craft stores), and water. For these Christmas trees I used cocoa powder for the trunk, but you could also use brown gel food coloring if desired.
You can find food-safe paint brushes in a set or sold singularly at specialty craft stores, and of course, online.
MAKE THE PAINT USING GEL FOOD COLORING
To make “paint” for cookies, you simply add a splash of water to gel food coloring and mix until combined.
For this Christmas tree design in particular, I used a 1/2 teaspoon of Wilton’s Juniper Green Gel Food Coloring mixed with 1 teaspoon of water for the Christmas tree branches; and for the trunk, 4 teaspoons of cocoa powder, mixed with 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon of water.
HOW TO PAINT ROYALLY ICED SUGAR COOKIES
Make sure the royal icing is completely set and dried before you begin. It is best to let the cookies set out overnight after icing, and paint them the next day.
When your cookies are set and ready to be painted, prepare your workstation by laying a large sheet of wax paper on the counter, and placing the cookies upon it. Have ready your cookie paint and brushes.
Before making brush strokes on the cookies, dip the brush into the food coloring mixture and press the brush against the sides of the bowl to rid of any excess liquid. If this precaution is not made, your paint may run and spread across the cookie.
Painting royally iced sugar cookies may be the easy way out when it comes to decorating, but I can’t imagine we’ll hear any complaints on the matter. It’s quick, it’s easy…it’s stunning. Please, enjoy!
If you’re looking for more festive cookies to give as gifts this year or just another excuse to get into the kitchen and get to baking, here are a few more cookie recipes that absolute must-tries: Bite-Sized Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies, gluten-free Easy Coconut Macaroons, flavorful Almond Biscotti, and the best-ever Ginger Molasses Cookies!
Or click the banner below to all of the Anthony Kitchen’s flawless cookie recipes!
CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST EVER ROYALLY ICED SUGAR COOKIES RECIPE!
A simple recipe for painting on royally iced sugar cookies.
- 1/2 teaspoon gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon water
- 4 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon water
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In a small bowl mix together the gel food coloring and water until well combined. Set aside until ready to use.
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In a small bowl mix together the cocoa powder and water until mixture is smooth.
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Prepare your workstation by laying a large sheet of wax paper on the counter, and placing the cookies upon it. Have ready your cookie paint and brushes.
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Before making brush strokes on the cookies, dip the brush into the food coloring mixture and press the brush against the sides of the bowl to rid of any excess liquid.
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Gently make brush strokes on the cookies as desired. Set aside until completely dry, 4-5 hours.
Make sure the royal icing is completely set and dried before you begin. It is best to let the cookies set out overnight after icing, and paint them the next day.
Allow 4-5 hours for the paint to dry completely.
Makes enough to paint 3 dozen cookies.
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