Introduction

Decorating cookies is not just a festive activity, but an art. It’s a way to express your creativity, make edible gifts more personal, and, of course, make your cookies look as good as they taste. This guide will walk you through the circle cookie decorating ideas using watercolor and royal icing, providing helpful suggestions and reasons for those suggestions.

Circle Cookie Decorating Ideas

Here are some circle cookie decorating ideas for you to use on your projects

1. Ombre Effect: Create a beautiful ombre effect by using different shades of the same color. Start with the darkest shade at the bottom and gradually lighten the color as you move towards the top of the cookie.
2. Marble Effect: Swirl together two or more colors of royal icing to create a marble effect on the surface of the cookie.
3. Floral Designs: Use edible watercolors to paint flowers, leaves, and other botanical designs on the surface of the cookie.
4. Polka Dots: Use the back of a paintbrush or a toothpick to create polka dots with royal icing or edible watercolors.
5. Geometric Patterns: Use a ruler and a toothpick to create geometric patterns on the cookie with royal icing or edible watercolors.
6. Watercolor Galaxy: Create a galaxy effect by painting the surface of the cookie with dark blue or black royal icing and then splattering different colors of edible watercolors on top.
7. Stamped Designs: Use food-safe stamps to create patterns or designs on the surface of the cookie with edible watercolors.
8. Stenciled Designs: Use stencils to create intricate designs with royal icing or edible watercolors.
9. Textured Patterns: Use different piping tips to create textured patterns with royal icing on the surface of the cookie.
10. Gold or Silver Accents: Use edible gold or silver paint to add metallic accents to your designs.
11. Rainbow Effect: Create a rainbow effect by painting or piping concentric circles of different colors on the cookie.
12. Mandala Designs: Use a toothpick or a fine-tipped brush to create intricate mandala designs with royal icing or edible watercolors.

Getting Started

Tools and Ingredients Needed

Before you start decorating, make sure you have all the necessary tools and ingredients:

• Round cookies
• Royal icing
• Edible watercolors
• Paint brushes
• Piping bags
• Piping tips

Preparing the Cookies

Ensure your cookies are cooled completely before you start decorating. If the cookies are still warm, the icing will melt and it will be difficult to paint on them. Use a cookie dehydrator to accelerate this process.

Decorating with Royal Icing

Preparing the Royal Icing and Watercolor

Royal icing and edible watercolors are two key ingredients for decorating cookies.

Royal Icing:

Royal icing is made with powdered sugar, egg whites, and sometimes lemon juice or cream of tartar. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing royal icing:

1. In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of meringue powder, and 5 tablespoons of water.
2. Beat the ingredients on low speed until they are combined. Then, increase the speed to medium and continue to beat until the icing is glossy and stiff peaks form. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
3. If the icing is too thick, add more water, one teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until it thickens up.
4. Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add gel food coloring to create different colors. Remember to cover the bowls with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent the icing from drying out.

Edible Watercolors:

Edible watercolors can be bought from a store or made at home using gel food coloring and vodka or lemon extract. Here’s how to make edible watercolors at home:

1. In a palette, add a drop of gel food coloring in each well.
2. Add a few drops of vodka or lemon extract to the gel food coloring and mix it well with a brush. The more vodka or lemon extract you add, the lighter the color will be.
3. Test the colors on a piece of paper first to see if they are the desired shade.

Applying the Base Coat

The base coat is essential as it gives a smooth surface to work on. Here are some tips for applying the base coat:

1. Use a piping bag with a round tip to outline the cookie first. This creates a barrier that will hold the rest of the icing inside.
2. Flood the inside of the outline with more icing. Use a toothpick or a small spatula to spread the icing and remove any air bubbles.
3. Allow the base coat to dry completely before adding details or painting with watercolors. It’s best to let the icing dry overnight to be safe. However, if you are in a hurry, you can place the cookies in front of a fan or in a dehydrator to speed up the drying process.

Adding Details with Royal Icing

After the base coat has dried completely, you can start adding details. Use a piping bag with a fine tip to create intricate designs.

Decorating with Watercolor

Materials Needed

• Royal icing-covered cookies (fully dried)
• Gel food coloring
• Clear alcohol (like vodka) or lemon extract
• Small paintbrushes (food-safe)
• Palette or small dishes for mixing colors
• Paper towels

Steps

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Cover your working area to protect against any spills. Have all your materials within easy reach.
2. Cookie Base: Start with cookies that have been covered with royal icing and are completely dry. The smooth, dry surface acts as your ‘canvas.’
3. Mixing Colors: In your palette or dish, mix a small amount of gel food coloring with a few drops of clear alcohol or lemon extract. The alcohol/extract helps the color to dry quickly on the icing without dissolving it. Adjust the ratio to achieve the desired opacity – more alcohol for lighter, watercolor effect, and less for more intense colors.
4. Test Your Colors: Before applying to your cookies, test your color mix on a piece of parchment paper or a spare cookie to make sure it’s the shade and opacity you want.
5. Painting: Dip your brush into the color mix and gently apply it to the cookie surface. Start with lighter colors and gradually layer darker shades. You can blend different colors on the cookie to create gradients or unique patterns.
6. Drying Between Layers: Allow the first layer of paint to dry before applying another. This prevents colors from bleeding into each other.
7. Adding Details: For more detailed work, wait until the watercolor base is dry, then add finer details with food-safe markers or a small piping bag with royal icing.
8. Finishing Touches: Once your painting is complete, let the cookies dry completely. This usually doesn’t take long due to the quick-drying nature of the alcohol in the paint.

Tips

• Work Quickly: Alcohol or lemon extract evaporates fast, so mix small batches of color at a time.
• Soft Brushes: Use soft brushes to avoid damaging the icing surface.
• Experiment: Experiment with different brush strokes and color combinations to achieve various artistic effects.

Combining Royal Icing and Watercolor

When to Combine

Using royal icing as a base for watercolor is a fantastic approach to circle cookie decorating ideas. Once the royal icing has dried on your circular cookies, you can artistically apply watercolor techniques for a stunning visual effect. Alternatively, introducing watercolor elements to wet icing can produce a uniquely different aesthetic, perfect for creative circle cookie designs.

Tips for Combining

Here are some tips for combining royal icing and watercolor:

• Make sure the royal icing is completely dry before painting on it.
• Use a clean brush to apply the watercolor.
• Don’t use too much water, as it can dissolve the icing.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Piping Bag Tips: When filling a piping bag with royal icing, twist the bag right above the icing and then push the icing down towards the tip. This will help to remove any air bubbles and ensure a steady flow of icing.
• Avoiding Air Bubbles: To avoid air bubbles in your icing, tap the bowl of icing on the counter a few times before filling your piping bag.
• Icing Consistency: The consistency of the icing is crucial for successful cookie decorating. A 10-15 second consistency is usually perfect for both outlining and flooding. This means that when you drag a knife through the icing, it should take about 10-15 seconds for the surface to smooth out.
• Drying Time: It’s essential to allow enough drying time between layers of icing or before painting with watercolors. If the icing is not completely dry, it may bleed into the other colors. Use a dehydrator to faster dry.
• Creating Textures: You can create different textures with royal icing by using different piping tips or by manipulating the icing with a toothpick or a small spatula. For example, you can create a fur texture by piping small lines of icing and then pulling them outwards with a toothpick.

Conclusion

Decorating cookies with royal icing and watercolor is one of the most exciting circle cookie decorating ideas. With a bit of practice and the suggestions offered in this guide, you can transform plain cookies into delightful and tasty masterpieces. Always remember, the key is to enjoy the process and allow your creativity to flow freely!

FAQs

1. Can I use regular watercolors to paint on cookies?
   No, you should only use edible watercolors to paint on cookies. Regular watercolors may contain harmful ingredients that are not safe to consume.
2. How long does it take for the royal icing to dry?
   It can take anywhere from 1 to 24 hours for the royal icing to dry, depending on the humidity and thickness of the icing. It’s best to let the icing dry overnight to be safe.
3. Can I use gel food coloring instead of edible watercolors?
   Yes, you can use gel food coloring mixed with a little vodka or lemon extract to create edible watercolors.
4. How should I store the leftover royal icing?
   Royal icing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Make sure to stir it well before using it again.
5. Can I freeze decorated cookies?
   Yes, decorated cookies can be frozen. Make sure to place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour before transferring them to an airtight container, separated by layers of parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to a month.

Resources
https://www.thefrostedkitchen.com/ultimate-royal-icing-guide-cookie-decorating/