Decorated Valentine's Cookies

Happy Valentine's Day to all. Hope you spread some love around!
I decided to make some shortbread cookies and decorate them for Valentine's.

I have probably made a few thousand decorated cookies and I can't wait to share with you my favourite secret on how to decorate them. I can understand if you look at the finished product and think, but I don't have all that time! No more folks! No need to piped the outline of the cookie and then fill that in and then finally decorate. I shall share with you here.



Royal Icing

4 cups icing sugar

3 tablespoons meringue powder

1/2 t vanilla extract, or any other extract you like

1/2 cup warm water

Combine icing sugar and meringue powder in mixing bowl with whisk attachment.

Add the warm water and extract. Mix on low speed, otherwise you'll be wearing the icing sugar.

I decided to add grapefruit extract instead of vanilla. You only need 2-3 drops since it is a concentrate.

Increase the speed on the mixer to high and whip the icing until stiff peak begin to form. This should take about 5 minutes or so. You can walk away and clean up without worrying about over mixing.

One key thing to remember here, ALWAYS COVER the icing otherwise it will begin to form a crust and harden. We want hardening on the cookies not in the bowl!

Now you are ready for the fun part, mixing colours!!! I like to use the gel pastes as oppose to the liquid varieties found at the grocery store. The gel adds colour without changing the consistency of your icing.

Always start by adding a little and mixing until you get the desired colour.

There are two consistencies you will need for the icing, one thick and one thin.

The thin icing will be used first to cover the cookie, then the thick icing is piped on.

So here comes my trade secret........

I like to brush the icing on, yep quick and easy with a 1" or 2" paint brush. This has saved me so much time when I was making all those hundreds!

The key when applying the icing lies in the consistency. If it is to runny it will only give a thin coat and run down the sides of the cookie. If you find that happening just add a bit more icing sugar.

The perfect coating, a smooth surface and no runny sides.

Now comes the other fun part.....decorating!

If you are adding sprinkles do that now before the icing sets. If you find the sprinkles sink into the icing wait a few minutes to let the icing set a bit.

Let your imagination soar and create some fabulous decorations!

Best of all, HAVE FUN!!!!

And don't forget to share and enjoy your yummy creations!