When it comes to decorating designer cookies, there are three techniques that are used; decorating the cookie with royal icing, color flow and fondant. Using these three techniques will produce the professional designer cookie look you are looking for.
The first technique is to use royal icing to decorate the cookie. Using a basic royal icing recipe, decorating bag, and tip, you can decorate your cookie however you like. Most of the time, tip #1 is used to finely outline the cookie and decorate the details. You can also use other decorating tips like star tips #16 and #21 for interesting zigzags and borders.
The second technique is the color flow method. This is a method popularized by Wilton Cake Decorating. To make the Color Flow Frosting, combine:
1 pound icing sugar
2 tablespoons Wilton Color Flow Mix
1/4 plus 1 teaspoon water
Blend on low speed for seven minutes.
This color flow frosting will be stiff. Using a small piping tip (#1 or #2), outline your cookie. After the cookie outline has “set” or hardened, you need to “flood” the cookie with the thinned icing. To thin your color flow frosting, add a few drops of water at a time until you have a thinner consistency that runs.
Now take your thinned icing and pipe it to the center area of your cookie. The frosting will spread and fill the cookie area. After the color flow has been established, you can add more detail to your cookie with more thicker color flow icing or royal icing.
The third technique for decorating designer cookies is to use fondant. Many people are “afraid” to try fondant, but it’s actually very easy. You should first tint the fondant the color you need for your cookie, and then roll it out to about 1/18″ thick. Using the same cookie cutter you used to cut the cookie, cut out the same shape from your fondant.
Next, lightly moisten the back of the fondant shape with water, not too much or it will cause the fondant to “soggy”. Place the fondant shape on your cookie and lightly press down, shape and smooth the edges with your fingers. After you have the fondant on the cookie, you can decorate it by giving it details with royal icing or full-streng flow icing.
Using these tips and techniques, you’ll be making professionally designed cookies for your friends and family in no time!