And yes, I’m a little biased and a lot proud. A few mornings ago I made sugar cookies with my niece (and bakerella in training). I decided to let her do all the decorating. I need a helper you know. She was so excited to step up to the challenge. First, I told her to look through the book Cookie Craft
for some ideas. But she would have none of that. She was determined to jump right in. So I made up a few different colors of royal icing and put her to work.
First up… Learn how to pipe the outlines. This is one of the hardest things for me, but I think she did great. Look how determined.
Can you see the creative wheels spinning?
Now more piping.
And time to flood the inside for a smooth finish (with a more liquid consistency).
And flood…
Work that toothpick.
And flood …
Below, you can you see the first signs of “Please, can I turn the Suite Life of Zack and Cody back on?”
“Nope, keep flooding.”
“Okay. Okay.”
And finally some finishing touches.
Yes, I love them.
She even made a special one for NaNa.
In the end she was sooooo proud.
And so was I.
I think Santa approves, too!
If you want to learn how to make decorated sugar cookies with royal icing, get your hands on a copy of the book, Cookie Craft. It’s fantastic. Here’s a look at my first set (so far, anyway) of decorated sugar cookies. I can’t wait to do more.
And, Happy Holidays everyone from the both of us!
YUM! You’re making me hungry!!!!
Quick question…I have recently gotten very interested in cake/cookie decorating and was wondering if you had your icing recipe posted somewhere? thanks!
nicole, 21, college student
Lizzie- Yes, it is. There are plenty of similar sugar cookie recipies online, even for rolled- out ones
Is it possible to get the sugar cookie recipe? These ones look awesome!
AWW! this is sweet.
I can’t wait until my niece is old enough to teach baking too!!!
This is sweet!
I could not resist to blog about your beautiful Blog & especially how jealous I am about your incredible creative talent & your daughter’s ;)
Merry X-Mas
Jane from Paris France
http://libelul.com/?p=2342
Wonderfully depicted!
OK NEVER MIND, I just saw the book you suggested, sorry to bother you. LOVE your stuff!!!
This might be a really stupid question but I have ALWAYS wanted to make sugar cookies with the icing that dries. I have NO idea what that icing is called. I think this is that icing but I am not sure. Can you help me?
These look great and so festive too! In Germany the kids are also into baking german cookies in a big way.
mommaof4wife2r – me too
palaisdeslys – merci
Jaina – thanks, I think she’s great.
TeaLady – they’re probably better than mine too
ModernGear TV – thanks.
I LOVE the pictures of the kids! Especially the image of concentration required for the piping, and the extremely happy baby!! Joy illustrated in pictures.
Those look great! You’ve got an awesome little baker right there.
Ohhh c’est magnifique, trop mignon!!!!
so fabulous! love them!
Anonymous – I hope she does.
My Sweet & Saucy – Isn't it fun.
Chinouk – thanks!
reilly – If you don't mind a mess, let them start early. She can help you hold dump sugar or flour.
Female Farmer – Yes, and bright.
Red Geranium Cottage – I think so, too.
Callie Grayson – that was her idea.
Teresa R – Def get the book.
Lauryn – Sounds fun, but I'm no expert.
Bridget – thank you
khala – merci
Crissy – Thanks
Seanna Lea – $10 … that's crazy. They must be elaborate.
Paula – Have a great 09 right back at you!
Meegan – yes. And a perfectionist.
MC – She picked it right up. I was surprised.
cottage farm villa (aka cottagecharm) – go right ahead Cheryl
Reese – Organizing or eating sprinkles?
Cindy – Thanks for the kudos.
Tabitha (From Single to Married) – she loves taste-testing more.
Anonymous – thank you
Wanda – what a wonderful compliment. Thank you. I'm glad you are doing well and wish you many sweet moments in the kitchen.
Anonymous – Thanks. I must rush to Kroger.
Shawnee – Major thanks!
Y – Happy New Year.
Susan – You would have fun!
hollyc – thanks
My First Kitchen – I like the one where she's starting to get bored, too.
Joy the Baker – I'll have to watch my back don't ya think.
Ann (Miss Sweetstory) – I'm sure you will.
Katie – I'll have her give you some tips.
Kelli – thank you.
LaDue & Crew – I did take some time, but, I'm back now.
Helana – thanks
Kelsie – they were yummy. Especially the ones with snowflake sprinkles.
* TONYA * – thanks!
Spectacular Splatter – Congrats on the blog.
The Ibrahims – thank you!
jacquisbakingsomething – Happy New Year to you, too!
Also, my niece was thrilled to read these comments with me. She couldn't believe all the nice things people wrote about her cookies. Thank you so much!
Gorgeous!!!
Happy New Year Bakerella!
They are so precious!!!
These cookies and your niece are precious! All your goodies are amazing! I’ve enjoyed viewing your blog. I just started my own blog on New Year’s day. I have a few cupcakes posted, but mine are quite different…..they’re not edible, but FUN to do!
Wow your little bakerella niece did a great job on those cookies.
Oh, they really are cute! I bet they were yummy, too! Great job!
BTW, I love the snowflake sprinkles
Cute!
Bakerella, you are missed! Everyday I look for a new post; thought for certain one for the New Year… I am sad :-( Could it be you actually took some time for a vacation?! I hope all is well.
very very cute. Love all the pics
Those cookies look really delicious – she did a great job! Better than I could do anyday (I still can’t colour between the lines) :P
Your finest work yet! Hoping to see more of little Bakerella’s work in the future!
That girlie has got some crazy skills! So fun to have kids in the kitchen! Happy New Year!
My two favorites are the creative wheels photo and the last one. She’s so cute, and it’s awesome to see kids in the kitchen. Thanks for sharing!
Oh how cute! It looks like she’s working so hard there! She did a great job! I bet Santa left her an extra present because of those cookies! ;)
This is so adorable- I want to make cookies with her! She did a terrific job! Happy Holidays!!!
Absolutely gorgeous photos! I love your little helper. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to you!
Majorly cute, and yummy too!!
I thought I’d leave you a little tip that you may or may not be aware of. I just left Kroger and apparently they have changed their packaging on the vanilla and chocolate barl coating and, well at least at the 2 stores near me, they have all the old packaging marked down to $.50 Awesome deal…
WOW, how many comments, I never make it to be the first one, hope you can reach read mine jaja. I want to wish you a great new year with lots of new great ideas. Want to tell you that you have been a great teacher to me, and I am sure that to many other people. I am at home with my two little girls and husband since 2004 when diagnosed with Cancer (happy to say that I am very well in health thanks to GOD). Seeing your blog and learning from you has made me get inspired and work my creativity to levels I never imagined. Thanks Bakerella, really thanks and have a happy New Year!
She is so cute…and so are her cookies!
That’s so great that she loves baking as much as you do and those cookies look fantastic!
I can’t get over how decadent those cookies look for such a young girl! Mine don’t look that nice, and I fancy myself a sugar cookie artiste! Happy holidays!!!
Oh it looks like you had such a nice day together!
I linked to your sprinkle post from November today.We are organizing this week.
http://www.mimiandreese.blogspot.com
This has to be one of the sweetest posts I have ever seen. I love the pic where the “wheels are turning”……just precious! I am new to your blog…..and I would like to list it on my blog under “inspirations”. Just beautiful!
~Cheryl
That’s adorable! I don’t think I could ice and decorate the cookies and lovely as that!
I can’t wait to do those things with my niece!
Amazing focus, that one! And the cookies are so pretty and creative. Props to the niece!
Thanks for your reply!! I´m an interior designer myself but I´m guessing you are either a graphic designer or just have better Illustrator skills than I do. Anyhow you are an inspiration!!! so as soon as my newborn sleeps more than thress hours at a time I´ll be heading to the kitchen and trying some of your recipes! Tahnks Bakerella, have a wonderful 2009!
Very cute!
It’s kind of scary, but in my area some of the larger decorated sugar cookies go for as much as $10 a cookie. I would much rather make my own and have the fun of decorating them myself and have a lot more cookie in the process!
Mmmm …. the cookies look yummy!
And I must say, the last photo is fantastic!
so cute !
i love them !
bravo à la petite cuisinière !
Oh, those are such sweet pictures….and cookies! :)
Stumbled across this and thought of you – love your site!!!
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/tfr/971328007.html
I am so impressed! I decorate cookies like a three year old on make-you-drowsy cough medicine. Not a pretty sight. Your niece could give me lessons…or I should get the Cookie Craft book. ;}
wow! she is fantastic…very determined and they look absolutely yummy.
that last image is great!!!
How sweet is that?? She’s a cutie.
Indeed colourfull…
that’s so sweet! my niece is 2… how young is too young to start grooming a little baker?
So cute again!!
They turned out ADORABLE!!! I love decorating with my nieces too!
Great job! I made some for my kids teachers(with some help) we were soooo over it by about the tenth one!!!
Watch out Bakerella, your Bakerella-niece shall take over your world!!
Heidi – YAY! I’m glad it was so helpful. And it has such great cookie ideas, too.
VeggieGirl – Happy Holidays to you, too!
whitemystique – thanks!
MMW – she's very creative.
LaDue & Crew – thanks
shelby – I was pretty impressed.
Alva – I don't think you'll be disappointed.
tamela – I sure hope so.
sharyl – It's ok, I paid her with cookies. MC to you too!
Tanya – thanks!
Lunch Buckets – I barely can.
Mari – thanks
arundati – I know what you mean.
Madi Rage – thanks
morgana – thanks morgana!
Jeannette – Yes. I think so, too!
Janis – And they enjoy it so much.
The Cookie Girl – You're welcome
shannon L – I used one of the wilton reds and used a bunch of it. There is red red, no taste red, christmas red, and I'm not sure which it was. Also, I used the recipe straight from the Cookie Craft Book.
Tina @ Mommy's Kitchen – Yes, very happy.
LadybugLuggage – Yes it is.
Jeanne S – But you can visit her and make cookies on an island. How awesome is that.
Debbie Olson – thanks
Cortni – thank you
ko – She gets all the credit.
Cat – Actually, it's a hobby. And I'm always looking for more time.
Paula – Good eye Paula. I do have a design background.
J.Danger – thanks a bunch!
Susie – thanks!
ShabbyInTheCity – Yeah, They are amazing. The piping is so clean. I'm jealous of steady hands.
Karen – thanks
Little Town Big Life – That's exciting. I wish you lots of luck while I bake in cyberland.
L. Wallis – Fun, Huh. I'm so glad I came across that book. Very helpful don't you think?
Geri – I can't wait to tell her how much people liked her cookies. She'll be so excited.
I bought that book after I saw your first post about it. It is the BEST!!!! My Christmas cookies would not have turned out without that book :-)
Love your niece’s cookies. Very creative!
Great piping job. Fabulous cookies!
I just made my first sugar cookies from cookie craft this week as well! What a great book! I love your blog and all your ideas! Merry Christmas!
I just found your blog and may I say—you are fabbo!!! I make cakes & cupcakes; took the three consecutive cake classes about 5 years ago. In the meantime, I bought a catering business. So—your blog speaks to my heart. I can't wait to try some of your yummy sounding recipes!!!
they are beautiful!
Well I’m so excited! This is on my to do list for the coming year…to perfect these boogers…and your term “flooding” explains something I was missing :)
and have you seen the cookies from Eleni’s in Chelsea Market NYC? I just look and look at them LOL!
http://elenis.com
Oh she is so cute! Looks like you definitely have a Bakerella in training! Those cookies look delish!
they are pretty stinkin cute!
Congratulations (and Happy Holidays!) to you both!! you are amazing!!! I live in Ecuador and recently discovered your blog and am amazed at your creativity…Congratulations on all the acknowledgements and a great year!…I have a question for you, do you have a background in Design???
she looks so cute and focused- great work!
Bakerella, how do oyu manage to have such a great blog, professional looking picturs and even have tim e to bake all of that? Is your blg your main job or is it just a hobby?
precious! those are gorgeous! WAY TO GO! I love making cookies with kiddos! :) you guys did a GREAT job!
That is sweet. She did a great job!
Sweet cookies, and even sweeter memories–TFS!
My only neice lives in Hawaii, wahhh, I want a niece here! This looks like the most fun thing to do together. The cookies are beautiful!
I also have a baking elf in training, it is wonderful to share a passion!!
She did a awesome job I bet Santa was pleased with her hard work. Looks you have a new helper now. Ü
you know when i tried to make christmas cookies I just could not get my royal icing right nor could i get it red at all… i used an entire bottle of the gel-paste wilton christmas red and it just turned the icing hot pink not get for candy canes
how did you get yours red? and what recipe do you use?
How fun! I can’t wait until my daughter gets a little older and she can help me with all of my cookies too.
Thanks for sharing your photos. Memories in the making!
Good job!!! It is so awesome to be able to pass down memories to others, especially small children. My granddaughter (5 yrs) and I have made cookies together this year and it was such a great experience for the both of us. From the flour on the faces and shirts to the frosting on all fingers.
janislu@msn.com
She is an excellent cookies artist!
It is hard to decide, I think your little helper is the sweetest girl ever!
Congrats to the little Bakerella in traing and to you for these wonderful photos.
so precious!!
that’s a work of art….i would’nt have the heart to eat them!!
Cute, cute, cute! What a fun aunt!
I think she did a -great- job! Truly I couldn’t have done the piping any better :)
Aww, I love her cute cookies. How fun! So adorable!
child labor! jk jk! she’s so cute and obviously takes after your creativity. belated merry christmas!
wow! these look fantastic! great pics aunty bakerella, i’m sure she’ll always have wonderful memories baking with you :)
Happy Holidays! They all came out beautiful and she did an absolutely wonderful job. I am in the process of learning to do this myself and think I am going to pick up this book you mentioned. Thank you for the reference.
That is so adorable!!! She did a great job, better than I could do haha
Happy Holidays!
Awesome, yummy looking cookies! Way to go!
Oh yes – it’s definitely in the genes. Congrats bakerella-niece. The treats look lovely.
Happy happy.
how cute is that?
she did a really great job.
happy holidays bakerella!
So cute!!
Happy Holidays!!