Colorblock Christmas Cookies

Colorblock, double-decker, FA LA LA Christmas Cookies!

Two blocks of color, two levels of cookies, a little metallic shine...these cookies POP!

First off, I just love pink and red together! You might think that pink and red clash, but I'll tell you in a sec how I made sure these two shades were compatible.

Side note...I'll be sharing a tutorial for making these flocked trees NEXT year! Aren't they cute??!?!?!

Let's make Colorblock Christmas Cookies!

You'll need the following:

cut-out cookies (I made these using my easy gluten-free cut-out cookie recipe, but you can use any of my cut-out cookie recipes.)
royal icing
gel paste food coloring: Americolor Super Red, Chefmaster Neon Brite Pink
disposable icing bags
icing coupler and #2 tips
icing squeeze bottles
toothpicks
food-grade silver luster dust
vodka or Everclear (it'll evaporate!!!)
small ramekin
food-only paintbrush

Bake up square cookies and letter cookies. I like to roll my dough out to 1/4".

Divide and tint the royal icing, leaving one bowl untinted. My trick to making sure the red and pink colors are compatible is to stir some of the pink icing into the red. I find Americolor Super Red to be a "true red," while Americolor's Tulip Red leans orange. This way, the red is still true red but has a pink undertone.

square cookie outlined in pink and red icing

Outline the square cookies using #2 tips. It's helpful to have a few of these on hand. I actually have about 20 #2 tips. Ha.

Thin the red and pink icings with water, slowly stirring a little at a time. You'll want a ribbon of icing dropped back into the bowl to disappear in a 3-second count: "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three." If you thin it to a one-second count, stir in more sifted powdered sugar. If it's too thick, add more water.

flooding cookies with thinned pink and red icing

Cover with a damp dish towel and let sit for several minutes. Stir gently to release any large air bubbles that have formed. Pour into squeeze bottles. Fill in the outlines using a toothpick to guide to edges and pop large air bubbles.

decorating cookies with royal icing, dip method

For the letter cookies, thin plain royal icing as above. Dip the tops of the cookies in the icing, and set aside to dry.

Sometimes, it's helpful to use the side of the bowl to smooth the tops.

Let all of the cookies dry uncovered for 6-8 hours or overnight. Reserve some piping consistency icing, in any color, as well. Just pop an icing bag into a baggie and refrigerate.

how to make silver royal icing with luster dust

The next day, mix a bit of luster dust with vodka or Everclear. Brush onto the letter cookies. Not to worry! The alcohol will evaporate, leaving only the shine.

[NOTE: the alcohol evaporates quickly, so depending on how many cookies you're making, you may need to adjust the consistency of your silver "paint" as you go. It tends to thicken in the bowl quite quickly.]