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Christmas Cookie Decorating 101
Many bakers ask for tips and instructions on decorating cookies. Well that's a tall order because there are as many ways to decorate cookies as there are cookies! Here are a few guidelines for novices and experienced bakers alike to help you generate your own ideas for cooking decorating. DECORATING COOKIES BEFORE BAKING Cookies can be decorated before baking with materials that withstand the heat of baking. Some things that you can place on your cookies before baking are: -colored sugars or natural sugars such as pearl sugar These items can be placed on top of almost any cookie to dress it up a bit and give it a more festive appearance. Paint a masterpiece A bit of trompe l'oeil DECORATING COOKIES AFTER BAKING Decorating cookies after baking them requires that you apply some kind of liquid-based substance that will adhere to the baked cookie, or that will act as a glue to attach other items. Usually, this takes the form of frosting, icing, or melted chocolate. Frosting vs. Icing Working with frosting Working with icing Melted chocolate What you need Double boiler Microwave Dipping Drizzling Using these simple techniques will help you produce a variety of beautiful-looking cookies at Christmastime and throughout the year. Copyright 2004 Mimi Cummins. All Rights Reserved. Mimi Cummins is co-author of the book "Christmas Cookies Are for Giving: Recipes, Stories, and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts." This book, "enthusiastically recommended" by Midwest Book Review, is full of baking tips and hints, including nearly 50 recipes each with a full-color photo. For more information visit http://www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com/ or order from your favorite online bookstore. [Note to webmasters: you may include a link to the book using your affiliate program (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or other) if you wish.]
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