Simple Decorated Gingerbread Cookies

Written By admind Friday, December 21, 2012 Add Comment Edit

I love simple, don't you? I'll be honest here. Sometimes outlining and flooding and bagging and be-ribboning and boxing and delivering takes more hours than I have time.

Sometimes, simple wins. Whether you have a schedule of Christmas plays and parties, all of your Christmas shopping still to do, or given recent events, you'd just rather spend that time loving on your family...cute Christmas cut-outs are still attainable, and easy.

First, you'll need gingerbread cookies. A thick, spicy, chewy gingerbread cookie is just perfect for a simple outline design.

This is the recipe I created for the book. I love it. I think you will, too. I've copied the page right from the book for you here:

Now for the easy decorating...whip up a batch of royal icing and you're ready to go. I tinted just a bit of it with AmeriColor gold for the star on the tree, but you could certainly do all-white here. Or use a star sprinkle, or a tree cutter without a star on top...even easier.

Use a #2 tip to outline and fill in a star on the top.

Use a #2 tip to outline the tree.

For the holly, I used a #2 tip for the leaf and a #5 tip for the berries.

Easy peasy.

The next day, or after they have dried completely, feel free to add a little sparkle and shine.

On the trees, I added a little gold luster dust to the stars. Just mix the luster with a bit of vodka and brush it on. Don't worry, the vodka evaporates.

For the holly, mix a 1/4 teaspoon meringue powder with 1/4 teaspoon water and brush the mixture wherever you'd like sparkling sugar to stick. Sprinkle on the sanding sugar and brush off the excess. Or, leave them plain.