I’m just thrilled to be part of the Holiday BAKE, CRAFT, SEW Along! Isn’t it nice to take a break from the heat & humidity and think of Christmas?!?
While you might not want to start on this cookie project in JULY, I hope it gets you thinking, “cookies.” Cookies decorated with royal icing can be frozen…so bake up plenty in November and you’ll be ready for holiday gift-giving!
Cookies are the ultimate DIY gift! Who doesn’t love a cookie? They make perfect gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends and family.
I’m going to share with you a simple and fun decorated Christmas cookie idea.
First, you’ll need a Christmas light cookie cutter (check craft stores, kitchen stores and even the grocery store) and cookie dough. Here is the recipe I use, but I won’t tell if you buy it from Pillsbury. 
Once your cookies are cooled, make up a batch of royal icing and tint in the colors you’d like. (I used AmeriColor Gel Paste food colorings in egg yellow, super red, leaf green and regal purple.)
Now the fun begins:
- With a #4 icing tip, use a zig-zig motion to make the light bulb base in yellow (AmeriColor Egg Yellow).
- Using a #2 tip, outline the bulb shape in color of your choice.
- Thin the bulb color icings with water, a little at a time and stirring, until they reach the consistency of thick syrup. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest several minutes.
- One color at a time, stir gently to break up large air bubbles that have risen to the surface. Transfer icing to a squeeze bottle.
- Fill (or flood) in the outlined area. Use a toothpick to guide into edges and fully cover.
- Let dry at least one hour.
- Again with the #2 tips, add a little curved line for detail on the bulb.
Stop here, they are perfectly cute OR the next day….
…mix a meringue powder with equal amount water (such as 1/2 tsp of each). With a small or child’s paintbrush, paint the mixture on the line detail and shake on sanding sugar (turn upside down to remove excess)….
…OR, coat the entire bulb with the meringue powder/water mixture and shake on sanding sugar.
Hey y’all, if you’re here for Mouthwatering Mondays please still link up your posts! However, I HIGHLY encourage y’all to visit the other blogs participating in Handmade Holiday, you may be inspired to try something new! Especially, go visit Bridget’s blog!
Thanks for linking y’all! REmember, link your recipe post url, leave a comment, link back here and visit others!!
I love the royal icing with a little bit of sugar bling! The light bulbs are so cute, I’ll be on the lookout for that design. Thanks for the tutorial & be sure to check out my linky… I’m #4 with “M&M Nativity Legend”.
Colette
http://www.mycomputerismycanvas.com
Thank you so much for having me!!! I’m so inspired to start early for the holidays this year! Can’t wait to see more of the ideas!
bridget {bake at 350}´s most recent brilliance ..Christmas in July
Adorable!
Love these! They are so cute and they actually look easy enough that I might attempt it! Thanks for the tutorial, Bridget!
Karly´s most recent brilliance ..Potato Chip Cookies
Those cookies are great! Perfect for the holidays!
NancyC´s most recent brilliance ..Fresh Tomato and Chive Salad
Those look amazing. Wow. I love a good cut out cookie – I just don’t love making them. This almost makes me want to try again.
Michelle Smiles´s most recent brilliance ..Banana Bread
Oh.My.Gosh!
Last month I was searching high and low for directions on decorating cookies. This tutorial is perfect! Easy to understand and complete. Thanks you so much! I’m your newest subscriber!!
Simply Cathi´s most recent brilliance ..Heads Up Top Commenters
oh yum! i’ve always been scared of decorating cookies, but NOW, i think i might just have to give it a try. you make it look almost easy!
kelly´s most recent brilliance ..framed fabric monogram from somewhat simple
those cookies are so cute. I’m not baking anything right now with the temps hitting 95+, but when it cools and I turn my oven back on I’ll gladly give decorating cookies a try.
Thanks for the carnival.
Kristia@Family Balance Sheet´s most recent brilliance ..Grilled Peaches with Homemade Whipped Cream
I just love Bridget, she is so talented! Thanks so much for still hosting Mouthwatering Mondays, even with all that’s going on.
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemade´s most recent brilliance ..Make-Ahead Sloppy Joes and our Menu Plan
I love Bridget and need to kidnap her and bring her to my house!
Jennifer(Savor)´s most recent brilliance ..EatingWell Wednesday – Melon & Apple Granita
I really enjoyed the tutorial on cookie decoration,
it almost seems easy….I love making cookies but never take the time to decorate them! They taste just so good plain!
I really need to try….thanks for sharing!
Morgane @ Bear, Dolly and Moi´s most recent brilliance ..burlap wreath
I totally love your cookies!!!!!
cara´s most recent brilliance ..living room
I love these little things! As much as I LOVE summer, looking so forward to Christmas cookie decorating!
She makes it look so easy! maybe I’ll try it…maybe! I’m more of a wham bammer when I bake!
Found out about this fun holiday “party” over at Crap I’ve Made. What a fabulous idea, can’t wait to see all the wonderful projects!
Kara´s most recent brilliance ..Guest Blogging at UCreate!!
What a great idea to have a “Christmas in July” blog party! LOVED the tutorial from Bridget….she always makes it look soooo easy! Such amazing creations she bakes!
Avril Miller´s most recent brilliance ..Blueberry Raspberry Coffee Cake
I LOVE these!! Bridget actually inspired me to make chiristmas light cookies last year……mine didn’t turn out as cute as hers, but I can’t wait to try again this year!!
TidyMom´s most recent brilliance ..Grilled Sandwiches – Panini
This is a great blog link-up to have and you could not have picked a nicer, more talented baker to host your *kick-off post. I don’t think that there’s a cookie yet that Bridget has made that hasn’t made me smile. Her Christmas Lights are no exception. Thank you for having her here today.
Paula´s most recent brilliance ..Dragonflies
Hey Rach! its been a while since my last visit, but glad I stopped by because THIS is just such a lovely christmas cookie recipe! Totally gonna save it and surprise my kids! Well, my recipe isn’t a baked one, its a roasted one. Great experimentation led me to delicious corn made in my backyard chiminea firepit! Enjoy and thanks for sharing the foodie love this monday! Alex
alex@amoderatelife´s most recent brilliance ..I received a Versatile Blogger Award!
Bridget is wonderful! Her cookies are so pretty
What a fun linkup!
Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com}´s most recent brilliance ..Luau Cupcakes
Wow!!! Those cookies are absolutely adorable!!! I’m not sure if I would want anyone eating them after I had done all of that work!!! They are too pretty! LOL!!!
Queen of the House´s most recent brilliance ..Paninis on a George Foreman Grill
super cute!!
Lindsay´s most recent brilliance ..Zucchini Quiche
T’-isn’t the season!
Theses cookie shapes will really appeal to my kids as they are always trying to shape new designs for their cookies.