How to ice cookies

'Tis the season and like many of you, I can't wait to make holiday cookies for gifts (and to satisfy my sweet tooth). If you liked my simple methods for decorating sugar cookies from a couple weeks ago (about.specialfork.com/blog/2011/11/18/sugar-coo…), check out this more advanced technique. Learn how to make royal icing and create cookie creations straight out of a bakery window. It's easy to do with a little time, patience and lots of confectioners' sugar!

Follow along (it's a long one so grab your coffee or tea) and see how to:
- Make royal icing (I just use the recipe from the meringue powder container)
- Color royal icing
- Fill pastry bags (and make pastry bags out of standard plastic bags)
- Ice cookies
- Add pizzazz with candies and sprinkles
- Adjust royal icing to make filled cookie designs

Once you've mastered these techniques, you can make fun and colorful cookies year-round for all sorts of holidays and occasions. I've made these types of cookies several times as wedding favors for friends. Remember that they don't have to look perfect, just let your creativity flow.

Happy baking!

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