When I saw these darling shabby-chic inspired bunny cookies that were made for an Easter party I had to give them a try! The all off-white royal icing decorated with a lovely loose paisley and vine inspired design look great when lightly "distressed" with some cocoa powder brushed on for a rustic finish.
I used some Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder mixed with a tiny bit of vodka and brushed over the raised parts of the design to created the overall shabby-chic slightly distressed look that is so on-trend. To mix it up a little, I brushed some pink pearl luster dust on some of the other cookies for a more Easter feel. I think they turned out nice and if you like how they look you will LOVE how they taste! I love decorated sugar cookies for holidays and this sugar cookie recipe will not disappoint!
For more examples and decorating tips you can check out some other decorated sugar cookies that I have done here, here and here. With this recipe the design of the cookies always stay nice and crisp and if you add some Creme Bouquet Flavoring you cookies will taste just like bakery cookies! Here is how you can make your own:
Rolled Sugar Cookies: I like to make the dough the night before I bake (or earlier!) so that I can freeze the cutouts before baking. Freezing helps to ensure that you cookies will keep their shape. Make the dough following the instructions and roll out to 1/4" thick. I like to the freeze the rolled out sheet of dough until fairly stiff before cutting as it makes it easier to get the shapes out in one piece.
Cut the shapes out of the dough and transfer to a ziplock baggie. Place sheets of parchment paper between the layers of cutouts to keep them from sticking together. Freeze until ready to bake. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees and place frozen cutouts onto a prepared baking sheet using parchment or a Silpat.
Bake for 12-16 minutes or until the cookies are just turning brown on the edges. Remove from oven and cool on a rack until completely cold before icing.
Royal Icing: I like to make the icing the night before to let all the air bubbles come to the surface. Make the royal icing following the instructions. If you use
Wilton Meringue Powder you do not have to add any cream of tarter to the mixture. I added a couple of teaspoons of vanilla extract to give the white icing a kind of ivory or off-white color.
Place some of the stiff icing for piping into a piping bag or squeeze bottle and set aside. Thin the remaining icing to use for
flood icing with a little warm water until it resembles the consistency of shower gel. Pour the flood icing into a squeeze bottle and set aside.
Decorating: When the cookies are cooled use the piping icing to create an outline around the cookie shape. Next, use the flood icing to create a nice smooth surface over the entire cookie. Use a toothpick to help the flood icing meld into all the little crevices.
Let the cookies dry completely before continuing on to the design. Once the cookies have dried, pipe the stiffer icing into a design all over the cookie, I just kind of did a freehand look with loops and swirls and dots. When icing is dry mix a little cocoa powder with some vodka to create a "paint" and paint the mixture over the raised parts of the design to create a distressed look.
I just saw a post of cupcakes with Cadbury eggs cooked inside them and thought of you!
Posted by: leendadll | 04/25/2011 at 06:11 PM
LOL! Thanks!
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Posted by: Goodies By Anna | 04/22/2011 at 01:31 AM
These are so elegant and adorable at the same time, and as usual, you're presentation makes me want to eat em all up!
Posted by: donna | 04/22/2011 at 12:36 AM
Thanks LilaLoa! LOVE your blog! Great decorating skills!
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Posted by: Goodies By Anna | 04/21/2011 at 11:33 AM
You did a GREAT job on these!!!
Posted by: LilaLoa | 04/21/2011 at 04:11 AM
They are perfection!
Well done.
*hugs*
mo
Posted by: mo | 04/15/2011 at 07:25 PM
thanks so much for your kind comments Mimi!
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Posted by: Goodies By Anna | 04/15/2011 at 04:21 PM
Oh my goodness!!! Distressed Shabby Bunny cookies? Where have I been? - these are too pretty to eat! Love these - thanks so much for sharing this!
Posted by: Mimi | 04/15/2011 at 04:07 PM
Thanks Lauren! But you have to eat them, they are too good not to eat!!
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Posted by: Goodies By Anna | 04/15/2011 at 01:28 PM
WAY too pretty to eat! Works of art!
Posted by: Lauren | 04/15/2011 at 01:18 PM
thanks kristina!
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Posted by: Goodies By Anna | 04/15/2011 at 01:04 PM
Those are so pretty! They make me smile.
Posted by: kristina | 04/15/2011 at 01:02 PM
Thank you so much for the invitations Laura!
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Posted by: Goodies By Anna | 04/15/2011 at 12:34 PM
I absolutely adore this project! I am hosting a Springtime Craft and Project linky party today and I would love it if you would particpate.
There is a giveaway involved. :)
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | 04/15/2011 at 08:53 AM