cookie composition

INSPIRATION CHALLENGE FOR FEBRUARY

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Reporting for duty, here I am to share my take on this month’s adventure set up by Marlyn, from @montrealconfections: use small cookies to made a larger composition. I chose one of my favorite shapes for the composition, and as a starting point a design from Marlyn I had played with a couple of years ago, and was one of my favorites (click here for a flashback). I simplified that part quite a bit, to get a monochromatic look.

All cookies have the same basic shape but different sizes. The largest one is the peacock body, and the others flow from it as its tail. Then it was just a matter of playing with the designs, different shades of blue, coupled with black in piping consistency. The peacock body also got a very light spray with Wilton pearl. You can see it better with a closeup picture.

I loved making this set, the cookies remind me of our dear graduate student Aritri, who passed away a few years ago, way too early in her beautiful life journey. I took a ride in this design and made a batch of chocolate cookies the following day. They go well together in a circle.

I am also quite fond of the concept of yin and yang, so present in life… So I spent some time arranging these cookies together in ways that appealed to me. I just know Aritri would love them.

I had another idea for the composition of cookies. It would be a heart made of tiny little square bits. But it would require more than 40 cookies to complete the full picture, and I got tired just thinking about it… Maybe I will re-visit the idea some day.

ONE YEAR AGO: Eggscelent Egg Hunt

MR. CLAUS IS ALSO COMING TO TOWN

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There is no way Mr. Claus would leave the love of his life alone, so here he is! Another amazing online event by Amy, from @seriouslysweet, I could not decorate live with all the other participants because we were away on a trip, but the moment I came back home, I baked the cookies and went to work. This cookie cutter set is also available at dotsandbows with a click here. For a flashback to Mrs. Claus, go here.

Totally smitten with this cute old guy… So many details and techniques in this set! I finally got the hat effect – a folding of the fabric – to work. As I mentioned before, this type of detail I do not feel ok about sharing, as this was a paid event hosted by Amy. I am thrilled that it now worked ok for me. Poor Mrs. Claus went with a flat hat, without enough pizzazz.

We started by sketching all the details on the cookies, then slowing decorating each area, using all the methods of piping, from flood consistency to very thick for the white details. I feel that I messed up the eyes a bit, they did not turn out as good as Mrs. Claus’ but overall I am happy with this set.

My favorite technique is definitely the little ruffle on top of the gloves and boots. I just love doing it, and once you get the consistency and strength to squeeze the bag (with no icing tip), it’s very easy and fun.

So this closes the double Christmas set, the Claus Couple, ready to spread Holiday Joy around the world!

Amy, thank you once again for your super detailed instruction and patience with all of us following your online adventures!

ONE YEAR AGO: Zentangle Strikes Again

MARLYN’S UNDER THE SEA 3D COMPOSITION

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I am totally smitten by this set designed by Marlyn, using several different techniques in cookie decorating. A very detailed tutorial is available for her supporters through Patreon (click here). I cut the background cookie and the fish tail by hand (templates provided by Marlyn) so that they would fit perfectly together, but you can definitely search your cookie cutters and come up with slightly different variations. On a side note, I usually have no idea who gets my cookies, but this set was an exception (read on).

I opted for my default chocolate cookie recipe (you can find it on my food blog clicking here), and used mini cookie cutters from this set from Sugarbelle. The rock at the bottom was made with a flower cutter cut in half. Marlyn used a cloud-shaped cutter.

Here are all the pieces baked and iced, waiting for assembling… Some pieces I made extra just in case something bad happened, and also for practice.

So many techniques: the rock texture made with parchment paper, the fish tail with a small petal tip, and a lot of painting with the air-brush. For the first time I thought I managed to direct the air-brush gun with more precision. For instance the little fish’s mouth, tail and fin were air-brushed in orange without messing up the rest of the body. Yes, there was some hyperventilation associated with the process…

This was really fun to put together, and the icing on the cake is that these cookies were donated for a homeless family of four that has been struggling quite a bit. It made me happy to learn that maybe this little 3D scene could give them a reason to smile.

ONE YEAR AGO: Mr. Seahorse and his friends

FOR THE LOVE OF A TEDDY BEAR

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I fell in love with this cookie concept the moment I saw it in Marlyn’s IG page and then on her Patreon site. The twisted legs and the goofy expression won my heart. At that time, I felt the techniques involved were way out of my skill level. But I hoped that one day…. one day I would be brave to give it a try. Finally, it materialized. One little step at a time. Steps taken with twisted legs, to match the cookie spirit…

I just love this cutie pie! I opted for chocolate cookies as the starting point.. The head and legs are made from heart-shaped cutters, the body a simple oval shape. Next, a bit of “frankensteining” happens to add ears and arms to the head and body. Marlyn has it all very clearly explained in her Patreon tutorial.

From that point, you will need two tones of Royal icing for the basic components (outlining darker), and a fun technique with a plastic wrap to make the texture.

A little black royal icing for the eyes, some finishing details for nose and paws, and that goofy boy is ready to make a kid smile!