Simple Floral Cookie Art: Painting Flowers Easily

Painting flowers on cookies is a fun and simple activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to add a creative and delicate touch to your baked goods. With a few simple techniques, such as using food colouring, royal icing, and paintbrushes, you can create beautiful floral designs on your cookies. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, the process of painting flowers on cookies can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to express your creativity and make something unique and delicious. In this guide, we will explore the different methods and materials you can use to paint simple flowers on cookies, so grab your apron and let's get started!

Prepare your paint

There are several options for preparing the paint for your flower-painted cookies. You can either purchase edible paint or make your own using gel food colouring.

If you want to make your own paint, you can combine two teaspoons of vanilla with a few drops of gel food colouring. This method is budget-friendly, but the food colouring may stain your lips. When using this method, dip a clean brush into the paint, gently press the brush against the edge of the container to remove excess liquid, and then apply the paint to your cookie. If you don't have gel food colouring, you can even use Skittles!

Another option is to use powdered food colouring, which you can thin with a high-proof alcohol such as vodka or an extract like vanilla, almond, or lemon. This method is useful if you want to avoid staining, as the alcohol evaporates quickly, allowing the food colouring to dry.

If you're nervous about over-saturating your icing surface, you can use a colour solution instead of water to mix your paint. You can also use water, but be aware that applying water to a fully flooded cookie can create pitting.

When mixing your paint, use a paper plate or a piece of wax paper as a palette. For lighter colours, start with a few drops of white and then stir in a drop or two of food colouring. For darker colours, start with a few drops of your desired colour and then add a drop or two of white. Mix the colours to your preference.

If you don't want to make your own paint, you can purchase ready-made edible paint palettes, such as the Cookie Countess Paint Palette. These paints are simple to use, vibrant, and won't stain.

Prepare your cookie

To prepare your cookie canvas, you will first need to decide on a recipe. Sugar cookies are a popular choice for painted flower cookies, but you can use any cut-out cookie recipe you like. Once you have prepared your dough, chill it, roll it out, and cut out your desired shapes. Circles are a common choice, but you can experiment with other shapes as well. Next, bake your cookies according to your recipe and let them cool completely.

For the icing, you can use a simple combination of powdered sugar and water, which will create a sugary glue. If you are using royal icing, you can thin it with drops of water until it reaches a 15-second consistency. This means that when you overturn a spoonful of icing, it should take about 15 seconds to sink in and disappear. You can also add food colouring to your icing; white food colouring is commonly used, but you can experiment with other colours as well. If you are using fondant, you can adhere it to your cookies by brushing on the sugary glue and placing the fondant on top. Smooth the fondant with the palm of your hand, especially around the edges, and let it set for at least an hour.

Once your cookies are prepared, you can start the painting process. You can use food colouring, such as gel food colouring or powdered food colouring, to create your desired colours. You can also purchase ready-made edible paint palettes, such as the Cookie Countess Paint Palette. Prepare your colours on a paper plate or wax paper, mixing in a few drops of white for lighter colours. For darker colours, start with a few drops of your chosen colour and then add a drop or two of white.

Before you begin painting your flowers, it's important to let your icing or fondant dry completely. This can be overnight or for a few hours, depending on the humidity in your climate. A low fan can help speed up the drying process. Once your cookie base is dry, you can start by piping an outline and then filling it in with your chosen colour. Use a flat brush or a larger brush to paint a circle or shape as the base of your flower. Then, switch to a liner brush or a very small brush to add details on top with a darker colour. You can also use a small round brush to add leaves with a lighter green colour and then add details with a darker green.

Outline the flower

Painting flowers on cookies is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. It is a simple process that can be done using a variety of tools and techniques. One of the first steps to painting a simple flower on a cookie is to outline the flower. This can be done in several ways, depending on the desired look and the tools available.

One method is to use a piping technique to create the outline. This can be done by using a piping bag or a plastic squeeze bottle with a small round tip. The outline can be made by piping a wavy line to give the flower a natural, effortless finish. This method is fun and forgiving, as slight imperfections will only add to the desired texture of the petals. The piped outline will serve as a guide for the rest of the painting process.

Another option for outlining the flower is to use a brush to create a brushed layer. This can be done by layering royal icing and brushing it with a damp paintbrush to create instant texture and dimension. The paintbrush can be used to gently pull some of the icing towards the middle of the flower, creating a simple yet effective petal shape. This technique is ideal for creating a more abstract or impressionistic look.

When outlining the flower, it is important to consider the shape and number of petals. For a simple flower, five petals is often a good choice, as it creates a balanced and recognizable shape. The petals can be created by making little squiggly lines with the icing or paintbrush, forming the edge of each petal. These lines can be curved or pointed, depending on the desired look of the flower.

It is also essential to consider the colour of the outline. A darker shade can be used to define the border and create a clear outline for the flower. This can be done by using a liner brush to add detail and definition to the petals. The colour chosen for the outline should complement the overall colour scheme of the flower and cookie design.

The outlined flower can then be left to dry before adding additional details or colours. It is important to follow the specific instructions for the chosen paint or icing, as drying times may vary. Once dry, the outlined flower will serve as a beautiful base for the rest of the painting process, allowing you to add petals, leaves, and any other desired elements to create a delightful floral cookie design.

Add details

Painting a simple flower on a cookie is a fun and easy activity to do with kids. Here are some detailed tips for adding details to your flower-painted cookies:

Outline the petals

Using a liner brush, pipe an outline for each petal on the cookie. Starting with wavy outlines can give your flowers a natural, effortless finish. You can also pipe back and forth to fill the cookie smoothly.

Add texture and dimension

Layering royal icing and brushing it with a damp paintbrush can instantly add texture and dimension to your flowers. You can also try a brushed technique, creating a textured look by brushing towards the middle of each petal.

Choose your paint

You can use edible paint, food colouring, or gel food colouring to paint your flowers. If using food colouring, mix it with water, or use a product like The Color Solution or high-proof alcohol for a more vibrant look. You can also purchase ready-made edible paint palettes.

Paint the petals

Use a flat brush or a larger brush to paint the petals with a light colour first. Then, use a liner brush or a very small brush to add details on top with a darker colour.

Add leaves

With a small round brush, paint leaves using a lighter shade of green. Then, use a liner brush and a darker green to add details to the leaves.

Get creative

Feel free to experiment with different colours and techniques. You can try painting stems or clusters of circles to create different types of flowers. Remember, you can always gently wipe off the icing and start again if you're not happy with your first attempt!

Let it dry

Allowing your cookies to dry properly is a crucial step in achieving the best results when painting simple flowers on them. The drying time will vary depending on the techniques and materials used. Here is a detailed guide to ensure your cookies are adequately dried before proceeding to the painting stage:

Royal Icing:

If you are using royal icing as a base for your cookies, it is important to let it dry completely before adding any painted details. The drying time can vary depending on the consistency of your icing and the humidity in your environment. For a 15-second consistency of royal icing, which is smooth and suitable for outlining and filling, allow the icing to dry for a few hours or even overnight. A low fan can help speed up the drying process.

Fondant:

When working with fondant, it is essential to let it set for at least one hour on top of the cookie to create a smooth and dry surface for painting. The fondant should be adhered to the cookie using a simple icing made with powdered sugar and water. Placing the fondant-covered cookies in the fridge will speed up the drying process.

Paint:

The type of paint you choose for your cookies will also impact the drying time. If you opt for edible paint or gel food coloring, the drying time may be shorter compared to other options. Powdered food coloring can be mixed with water or a high-proof alcohol like vodka or Everclear to create paint. The alcohol helps the paint dry faster by evaporating quickly.

Storage:

Once your painted cookies are completely dry, you can store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to four months. This will preserve your artistic creations and allow you to enjoy them at a later date.

Remember, proper drying is essential to ensure the paint adheres well and the decorations remain intact. Taking the time to let each layer dry will result in beautiful and delicious painted flower cookies.

Frequently asked questions