Color Challenge: Bright Pink for Fall

Welcome to the first installment of the Color Challenge!!! 

Color Challenge ::: 7 bloggers, one color, endless creativity!

Spearheaded by the uber-fabulous, uber-cool Mandi, of Vintage Revivals, seven bloggers from different niches (fashion, beauty, home, organizing, DIY, parenting...you get the idea) are incorporating a certain color into their "medium."

Today's challenge color: BRIGHT PINK!!! 
color challenge: bright pink cookies for fall :: bake at 350 blog
My mind immediately went to summery and bright cookies, but since we're heading into fall, I wanted to bring in those deep, rich tones that really make pink POP!

color challenge: bright pink cookies for fall :: bake at 350 blog
The cookie design itself is simple; I know, it looks fancy.  The technique is called brush embroidery.  I waited years before trying it because I can't sew and the word "embroidery" scared me.  Trust me, this is a perfect cookie for beginners!  (Sewing skills not required.)

color challenge: bright pink cookies for fall :: bake at 350 blog
You could make the design on any shape cookie...square, round, hearts. I chose this awesome plaque cookie cutter from Copper Gifts.

Adding a little black food coloring to the green and navy icing adds a bit of depth and darkness. Add it a bit at a time to avoid turning the icing totally black.  I use a toothpick to dip into the food coloring and then into the icing.

To tint the cookie dough, add in pink gel paste food coloring along with the eggs in the cookie recipe.  Once the flour is added, if the dough needs more color, knead it in by hand.  Don't worry, the pink will wash off of your hands.

To make these Bright Pink brush embroidery cookies, you'll need:
color challenge: bright pink cookies for fall :: bake at 350 blog
Outline the cookies in pink using a #4 plain tip.  Since we're filling with dark colors, let the outline sit for 30 minutes to an hour before filling to prevent bleeding.

Thin the remaining icings with water, a bit at a time, stirring with a silicone spatula, until it is the consistency of a thick syrup.  You'll want to drop a "ribbon" of icing back into the bowl and have it disappear in a count of "one thousand one, one thousand two." Four is too thick, one is too thin.  Count of 2-3 is good.  Cover with a damp dishcloth and let sit for several minutes.

Stir gently with a silicone spatula to pop and large air bubbles that have formed.  Pour into squeeze bottles.

color challenge: bright pink cookies for fall :: bake at 350 blog
Fill in the outlines with the thinned icing. Use a toothpick to guide to edges and pop large air bubbles.

Let the cookies dry uncovered 6-8 hours, or overnight.
color challenge: bright pink cookies for fall :: bake at 350 blog

color challenge: bright pink cookies for fall :: bake at 350 blog
Once the icing is completely dry, use a #2 tip to pipe squiggly lines as an outer layer of petals in pink.

Dampen the brush with water, then blot very well on a paper towel.  Place the brush right into the icing and pull towards the center.

Make another layer,
bright pink cookies for fall, tutorial :: bake at 350 blog

and then another...
bright pink cookies for fall, tutorial ::: bake at 350 blog

In the center, pipe some dots for the flower center using a #1 tip.

Make some flowers in the center of the cookies, and some off the sides...I like both. 

color challenge: bright pink cookies for fall ::: bake at 350 blog
What do you think about bright pink for fall? 

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Now.  Go check out the other lovely ladies and their Bright Pink posts!  Seriously.  Go! ;)
 


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