Birthdays all around!

So two of my best friends share the same birthday and I made some lemony sugar cookies to celebrate.  Unfortunately they live in different states so I couldn’t give it to them in person.

They are both quite fashionable, so I gave each of them a wardrobe of “dresses”.  The last time I iced cookies was one Christmas early in college, I’ve learned a bit about icing properties since then.  Even so, it takes a LONG time to mix up the colors. 

Lesson #1: There is something called “flooding” which is a way to fill out the cookie with color.  You need to outline the cookie first, which creates a dam.  However, this requires a thicker icing than the one you use to flood.  I’ve gotten pretty good at recognizing the appropriate consistency, so I just kept adding confectioner’s sugar or water based where needed. 

Tip: Make a batch of thicker icing and a batch of thin icing, all white.  Then just scoop out the amount you need in a separate bowl, color it, and then bag it with whatever you like to use for decorating.  I stayed a little more organized working out of two batches of icing than creating new icing every time I changed colors.

Tip: Don’t be lazy like I was and outline with one color, then flood with another.  You can see all of my messy lines.  It is much better to outline and flood with one color, then outline on top of that color.

Lesson #2: To pack for shipping, leave as little moving room as possible.  I even vacuum-packed the gift-wrapped box since I wasn’t sure when it would arrive.  I’m actually not sure if this technique works because I haven’t heard from the receiver yet – hope it did!  It also helps to let the person know it’s on the way, in case they’re on vacation.

Filed under Birthday, Iced Cookies | Comment (0)