Meaghan, from the Decorated Cookie was one of the first people I met via e-mail conversations when I started working on Hungry Happenings. I contacted her, asking for some advice, and she was so generous to guide me through my foray into blogging. She is amazingly talented food artist and is super funny too. She is stepping in for me today, thankfully! My guests just left and now I need to play catch up. I’ll be back soon, I promise, but for now I’d like to welcome, Meaghan.
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Hello Hungry Happenings readers! Thank you Beth for letting me stop by today. I’m a loooong time fan of the genius that is Beth. Just when I think she surely must have exhausted all of her ideas, bam! She hits me with another zinger.
Who I am, the short version: ‘Tis I, Meaghan, of the decorated cookie. I blog all about decorated treats, mostly cookies and marshmallows. And I’m especially fond of putting sweets on sticks.
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| (Hi, it’s Beth, I wanted to share a few of Meaghans, wonderful edible crafts with you. These a just a sampling of all the fun food on her site. Be sure to check it out!) |
I live in Washington DC, I have two girls, three cats, and I wrote a book last year. Sugarlicious. It includes over 50 ideas for cute and clever treats for every occasion and about a zillion tips and tricks and details on how to make the kind of thing I’m posting about today. It’s the book I wish I had when I first started delving into the crazy world of edible writers, fondant, candy melts and other such unknowns.
But on to cookies. Little, bite-size cookies to celebrate the upcoming season. Temperatures may still be in the 90s in DC, but my heart is with you, Fall. You and your crisp breezes. The leaves underfoot. Trading my flip flops for my boots. Here, Fall, a treat just for you. These cookies are much easier to make than you might think too.
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How to make painted cookie bites for Fall
You will need:*
1 1/2-inch circle cutter
marshmallow fondant or store-bought, white, rolled fondant
small paint brushes
gel paste food coloring (red, orange, yellow and brown)
wax paper
light corn syrup, icing or frosting
*Find the cookie cutter, fondant and paint brushes in the craft store.
For food coloring, I suggest Americolor Soft Gel Pastes.
Step One: Bake your cookies. Prepare your favorite cut-out cookie dough, cut out 1 1/2 inch circles, bake and let cool completely.
Step Two: Cover cookies with fondant. Prepare marshmallow fondant, or use store-bought fondant. On a surface dusted with confectioner’s sugar to prevent sticking, take a handful of fondant and briefly knead until easily pliable. If the fondant gets too sticky from overhandling, let it rest at room temperature, uncovered, for fifteen minutes. It shouldn’t stick to your hands at all. Roll out the fondant to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out one 1 1/2-inch circle for each cookie. Adhere to the cookie with a brush of light corn syrup or a dab of icing or frosting. Use your hands to gently smooth the fondant on top of the cookie.
Step Three: Paint your cookies. On a piece of wax paper, squeeze a couple drops of red, orange, yellow and brown food coloring. Use a separate paint brush for each color. Wet the paint brush, dip in the food coloring, and paint your designs on the cookie. For lighter colors, use more drops of water. Let the cookies dry to the touch before handling. TIP: For quicker-drying cookies, use vodka or clear vanilla extract in place of water. See below for tips on how to paint the stripes and leaves.
To paint stripes, start with yellow, dip your brush in water, then in the yellow food coloring and paint a stripe on the bottom. Use a new brush to paint the orange stripe, and then the red stripe.
To paint the leaf, use a liner brush to paint the veins as shown. Take a new brush, dip the tip in red food coloring, and dab paint along the vein. With a new brush, dip the tip in orange food coloring, and dab paint around the red. Finish with yellow around the edges.
Happy baking and happy Fall to all! Thank you, Beth, for having me visit. – meaghan
These are beautiful, Meaghan! You've inspired me to give painting cookies a try!
I think this is something I can actually do and have it turn out okay! Great idea; thanks!
So vibrant and pretty! Painting cookies is such a wonderful alternative to royal icing! Your cookies are a prime example:)
I totally agree. I don't pipe well, but I can use a paintbrush, and love Meaghan's technique.
Always love Meaghan's crafty sweets, and these are so cute..of course. Her book "Sugarlicious" is one of my favorites!
Me too and her book is great!
Beautiful!
These are almost too pretty to eat! Almost. 🙂 Pinned to my Fall board. I've love if you showed them off at our All Things Pretty Party. http://sparklesandastove.com/things-pretty-linky-party-24-features/
Mmmm, these look great ! I love fall and I love cookies; I'll have to try these sometime!
Those are so beautiful! I have always wanted to try making painted cookies, but haven't done it yet. Maybe one of these days.
These look amazing, I love them! I have painted on fondant just once before, and also really loved the effect. Definitely pinning this and cannot wait t try it again with your tips 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Hannah ♫
Sew Lah Tea Dough
Wow! They look great.
This looks amazing!! I love it!! I would love to invite you to link it up at our new party Lovely Ladies Linky where you link up once and get seen on 6 blogs!! Link up starts Wednesdays! http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/lovely-ladies-link-up-link-up-1/
Hope to see you there 🙂
Parrish @ Life With The Crust Cut Off
such pretty work! We'd love for you to come over to our newest link party over at The Inspiration Network: DELISH- a desserts only link party. Bring your desserts and let's party!!
http://theinspiration-network.com/delish-a-desserts-only-link-party/
Smiles,
Melanie and Diana
The Inspiration Network