It's a little silly just how happy seeing decorated cookies on the cover of Martha Stewart Living can make a person.
{By "a person," I mean me.}
I happened to spot it in the grocery store before my issue arrived in the mail...it was like I had tunnel vision...I might have run to the magazine display. I'm not sure now...it's all a blur. ;) What I *do* know, is that I HAD TO make them.
These cookies are really, really simple to make...all you need are a few tricks. And toothpicks. Lots and lots of toothpicks.
You will need:
- circle-shaped cookies
- royal icing tinted with AmeriColor Super Red, Bright White and Royal Blue (or Navy Blue)
- disposable icing bag
- coupler and #2 tip
- squeeze bottles (3)
- toothpicks
First, outline all of the cookies using a #2 tip. Then, thin all 3 icings with water to the consistency of a thick syrup. Let sit for several minutes covered with a damp dish towel. Stir with a silicone spatula to pop any air bubbles that have risen to the surface and transfer to squeeze bottles.
Working 3 cookies at a time, fill in the circles with white icing; use a toothpick to guide to edges.
Starting with the first filled cookie, pipe the thinned red and blue icing in circles on top of the wet white icing.
If you want fireworks that burst straight out, like these...
Place your toothpick in the center of the cookie and drag to the outside.
Then, drag the toothpick from the outside to the center. Continue alternating all around the cookie.
(For a "cleaner" look, wipe the toothpick off after every drag through the icing...wear your apron. ;).)
For a curvy, "pinwheel" fireworks effect, like these...
Drag the toothpick through the icing as described above, but curve the outward pull.
Want a swirly center, like this one?
Go all the way around the cookie with the toothpick. When finished, make a small circle in the center with a toothpick.
Be sure to let the cookies dry uncovered for 6-8 hours or overnight before stacking or packaging.
Aren't they fun?
Isn't Martha smart?
Let's start a petition to put cookies on EVERY cover, whaddya say?
{Psst...if you want to see a couple more examples of fireworks cookies (can there ever be too many?) head on over to see Lori's at Recipe Girl and Shaina's on Babble.}
Happy, happy Independence Day to all of you US folks. If you don't live in the US...come visit us! We'll make you cookies!
I think they are awesome. I saw the cover when I was leaving the grocery store yesterday!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lorilee
Look perfect
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these, so elegant and tasteful...not to mention edible! Mmmm...
ReplyDeleteThese look perfect!! :) I want to try them.
ReplyDeleteI'll sign that petition!! Cookie covers are the best!
ReplyDeleteDare I say that yours are the BEST version of these fireworks cookies I have seen so far?! Shhh, keep that between us OK ;)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous Bridget!! Yours are BETTER then Martha's!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs always, beautiful cookies!! I made the Chocolate Chip Cookie Icebox Cake from that same issue. It was so good I blogged about it - lol. I suggest you make it as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th!!!
they look so much fun to make!
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way when I saw it!
ReplyDeleteI'm ready to sign the petition:)
ReplyDeleteYour cookies are GORGEOUS!
Happy 4th, Bridget!
WOW! You did an awesome job with these cookies and your red and blue colours are perfect!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a wonderful 4th of July celebration.
I had seen this magazine also a while ago and then went home and tried making them. They were my first attempt but you can see them at:
ReplyDeletehttp://baked-by-bec.blogspot.com/
I make mention of your blog in there as your blog inspired me to try them.
These are so fun Bridget!!! and you are too sweet to share how to do it!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Independence Day!!
I'll join that petition, I don't subscribe so it would definitely make me buy more copies.
ReplyDeleteWhen I received that issue I was all happy and going to make those for our yearly celebration. Tomorrow is the 4th and I have not made them. Maybe next year. Yours are gorgeous....if a cookie can be called gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteVery nice and I love your directions on "how to". Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteI was taken by the cover of Martha Stewart Living with cookies too! I read it on the plane on our way to the US for our holiday (am I the only person who reads food magazines on a plane?) and thought the cookies were so cute. I love your version and especially love how you've taken the time to show step by step how to reproduce the cookies. You are one talented baker!
ReplyDeleteThose are so beautiful...they make me want to start making them right now!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as always! I too was drawn to the magazine cover. Can't wait to make them, but it's 102 degrees and I'm going to wait until it's a little cooler.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th!
As always you make it all so clear! I hope someday I can take one of your classes in person. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Yours are WAY prettier than Martha's. The mixed colors are so much better.
ReplyDeletebeautiful! I think this method will be the first method I try whenever I overcome my fear of making my own decorated sugar cookies...
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful! So cute and festive. I've got to try these some day. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletexo,
jess
http://sweetlilsomethings.blogspot.com/
What happy (and patriotic) cookies!!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely beautiful bridget! keep up the great work.
ReplyDeletemeg
henninglove.blogspot.com
So cute! Happy 4th! :)
ReplyDeleteThose are so cool. So simple, but so effective.
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet to do this tutorial. Can you believe I've never done wet-on-wet? That sounds naughty when I write that lol
ReplyDeleteI want these precious cookies so bad for my 4th dessert table! They are ADORABLE!!!
ReplyDeleteYou make this look so easy that I have to try it right NOW! I'm super excited. I've tried this several times in the past unsuccessfully as it comes out messy. I can't wait to give it a try again. Your cookies are beautiful and I'm so thankful that you share your expertise and gorgeous cookie pictures and take the time to make a tutorial! Thanks Bridget! Cristin
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all your tips. I enjoy your site.
ReplyDeleteI have never, ever used royal icing before (and am still a little scared of it) but seeing these cookies made me run right out and buy the things necessary to make them. I can't wait to try! :)
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for posting these! Definitely helpful to see your detailed instructions!
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Melissa L.
you said: aren't they funny?....I woul say: perfect......and for sure, delicious to eat!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteciao from Milano - italy
Absolutely lovely! These look fantastic and delicious!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. Just found you and am glad I did. These cookies are incredible. And you trip to Williams Sonoma had me in stitches. We don't have one locally so when we drove up to Toronto I went in. I was shaking and thought I'd need medical attention.Going to poke around your blog for awhile. Enjoying myself here.
ReplyDeleteI love these! I think I might try them for Pioneer Day!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you when I saw that cover. Don't you make colorful spider webs/Halloween cookies something like that?
ReplyDeletenice blog... have a view of my blog when free.. http://www.lonelyreload.com (A Growing Teenager Diary) .. do leave me some comment / guide if can.. if interested can follow my blog...
ReplyDeleteI love those! Yours look better than Martha's! I think she needs to hire you as her new cookies decorator!
ReplyDeleteI made them! I saw them on the cover and didn't think I would have an occasion to make them for. Then I had a party to go to and saw Recipe Girls post. Inspiration and gumption all at the same time! They weren't as perfect as yours, but everyone loved them.
ReplyDeleteThose are really pretty! Great job:-)
ReplyDeleteMiss B, you just make me LAUGH OUT LOUD!!! i love these but . . . sigh . . . unlike you, i shall NOT run out and stock up on icings, toothpicks, colored gel (unless it's hair color) or multiple aprons . . . no, i shall watch from the sidelines while you talented cookie bakers 'flood, swirl, twirl, curve' and whatever else you cookie bakers do . . . and then i'll non-chalantly make my way to the table to eat . . . yes, that is my M.O.
ReplyDeleteWow these look almost too good to eat! (Obviously its not possible for me to find a cookie that truly looks so good that I won't eat it)
ReplyDeleteHow fun! My daughter and her friends would have a ball doing these with tie dye colors.
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ReplyDeleteMade them for fourth of July. Everyone loved them! I used a vanilla sugar cookie recipe I found from www.the-crafty-penguin.com/ and they tasted as good as they looked.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered how these were done! Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteDarling, darling, DARLING! I did the same thing when I saw the magazine in the store! Only I think I had a little drool coming out of my mouth. I'm sure you're classier than me and that didn't happen to you.
ReplyDeleteWow, you actually did them (well, not that surprising I guess). I was entranced by these on the cover. My friend and I were debating how many cookies they actually had to make to get such lovely specimens, but maybe that's just our abilities. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMaking these was the most fun I've ever had with icing! I made them for my daughter's graduation party, since their school colors are red, white, and blue. Then I got inspired and made some multi-colored ones for a tie-dye themed party.
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