If you don’t make cookies—or eat them, at least—is it even Christmas? (OK, yeah, it is…but you know what we mean.) As the big day gets closer (and our attention spans at work get shorter, TBH), we can’t stop looking at holiday inspo. And because he loves us, our good friend Bernard S. at Hallmark’s Union Hill Photo Studio just handed over photos of his latest workshop with alllllllll the 2018 cookie decorating trends, from bright and minimal to sparkly and over-the-rooftop. Scroll on, y’all.
Want your cookies sharable and stackable? Here’s everything you’ll need.
COOKIE DECORATING SUPPLIES
Bernard’s sugar cookie recipes
Bernard’s royal icing recipes
Gel food coloring
Sanding sugar
Optional: Edible glitter/disco dust, cinnamon hearts, dragees/pearls
12″ pastry bags
#2 round top
#3 round tip
Toothpicks
Paper plates or parchment (for experimenting)
We’re showing off 2018 cookie decorating trends here, but we won’t desert you without help: Click here for step-by-step instructions straight from Bernard himself.
To get a smooth, glossy surface, use the “flooding” or “flow” method outlined in this post.
If you’re going to going to cover your cookies with sugar and sprinkles, it’s fast and easy to paint them with royal icing. Bernard demos his technique in this video.
Pro tip
Want a bunch of different cookies to look like they go together—even when you and your kiddos are decorating together? Pick a simple color palette. (Sometimes we copy one from our favorite cards or gift wrap collection.)
For smooth, flat designs, decorate with royal icing, adding color while it’s still wet. Hallmark Product Development Manager (and super-celebrator) Em B. shows you how in this video. (Or go the easy route with edible markers.)
Whether you want to go extra-fancy or super-cinchy, we’ve got your cookies covered. Check out more recipes and techniques from our friends at Ideas & Inspiration. And share your favorites with us on Instagram @think.make.share.