The Complete Photo Guide to Cookie Decorating

Book excerpt: The Complete Photo Guide to Cookie Decorating is the ultimate reference for all methods of cookie decorating—a comprehensive guide for crafters and aspiring sugar artists. In just a few minutes, a cookie can be transformed from a simple shape into a colorful, edible work of art. With some basic skills and a little practice, everyone from kids to adults can enjoy this fun craft. Expert sugar artist and author of The Complete Photo Guide to Cake Decorating, Autumn Carpenter, helps you learn these skills and become a confident cookie decorator through step-by-step directions, 400 full-color photos, and invaluable decorating tips and tricks. The clear organization provides easy access to information, simple projects provide fun opportunities for trying the techniques, and a gallery of beautifully decorated cookies offers examples and inspiration. You’ll find: Recipes and helpful tips for rolling, cutting, and baking perfect cookies Recipes for various icings–buttercream, chocolate, run sugar, egg wash, and rolled fondant Detailed instructions for piping, painting, marbling, and coating plus ways to add shimmer, sparkle, and special accents Great ideas for packaging, storing, and presenting your decorated cookies For those who might be a bit intimidated by the idea of decorating cookies, fear not! With this guide and some experimentation, anyone, from knowledgeable baker to amateur home cooks, can create this edible art. The Complete Photo Guide series includes all the instruction you need to pursue your creative passion. With hundreds of clear photos, detailed step-by-step directions, handy tips, and inspirational ideas, it’s easy and fun to try new projects and techniques and take your skills to the next level.