prelude to the projects While “Cookie Craft” explains 99 percent of the techniques needed for the following projects, you’ll want to peruse these additional must-knows before embarking on your cookie decorating journey.
PROJECT POINTERS
Complexity speaks to the inherent challenge posed by the project and also to the required time, insofar as more
Remember, the best things come in small packages. Expect projects with small yields (typically about 1 to 2
complex projects also tend to be more time consuming. Projects range from very simple 2-D cookies to more elaborate 3-D cookie constructions, so there’s a project here for everyone.
dozen). Cookie decorating is a labor of love, and many of the projects are mini works of art.
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DE-CODING THE PROJECT KEY
Read the recipes, too. Yes, not just the project, but also the recipes used to make it. Each recipe also has make-ahead and storage tips to help you budget–and save–time.
Easy enough for novice bakers/decorators; often simple 2-D cookies
Plan to span. Feel free to break up the projects and tackle them in shorter doses. I often make and freeze the cookie dough up to a month in advance. When I’m ready to go, I’ll bake and ice the cookies on one day, let the icing dry overnight, and then finish any decorating or assembly on the next. I rarely bake and freeze cookies, as I prefer them fresh!
Most home bakers/decorators could make with no trouble; often includes small 3-D cookie construction and/or multi-recipe projects
Swap cookies if you like. Unless I specify otherwise in “Prep Talk,” it’s generally okay to substitute rolled cookie doughs for one another. For instance, I often only specify Signature Sugar Cookie Dough, when Shortbread, Straight Up would also work. It’s simply that I prefer to reserve the latter for thicker cookies that play up its texture. Likewise, I reserve Construction Gingerbread for only the biggest 3-D projects that truly benefit from its stability.
Best left to skilled home bakers/decorators or those seeking a challenge; includes large 3-D cookie construction projects and/or multi‑recipe projects, though none more complex than a basic gingerbread house
Stand-in indicates simpler design options and/or packaging ideas for certain projects. Types lists the cookie types that are required, or which can be used, in each project. (Certain rolled cookies are often interchangeable.)
Swap cookie cutters within reason. In each project, I indicate the exact cutter shapes and sizes that I used to make it, just as it’s pictured. I’ve done this to help you quickly locate the same cutters and achieve the indicated project yields. However, if you can’t find a cutter in precisely my dimensions, feel free to substitute others of the same shape in similar size. Just recognize that your yields and results may not match mine. Where cutter size is less critical to a project, I usually refer to it in general terms,
Prep Talk provides storage and make-ahead tips to help you plan how far in advance you can—or should—get started. Additionally, any cookie type preferences (which I sometimes have when types are less interchangeable) and/or special tools or ingredients are noted here.
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