A blanket of newly fallen, fluffy, white snow – fresh, clean and magical. An air of hope and symbolic of new beginnings. Inspired by the snow and excited about 2012, I made these wintry new years cookies and have shared a how-to video on making them:
*
{Video} Making Simple Fondant or Gumpaste Shapes
CLICK HERE if you can’t see the video.
*
These cookies covered with royal icing, fondant flowers and snowflakes are really quite simple to make. If you prefer a written tutorial rather than video, here’s a link to a post on making daisies using the same procedure.
The snowman isn’t too difficult either. There’s a video on how to make him near the end of this post.
The last little bit of leftover gingerbread dough I had in the freezer was used to make him b.t.w. The snowflakes, flowers and numbers are sugar cookies.
If you’d like to make these, below is a list of everything you’ll need. Have fun decorating!
What You’ll Need to Make Snowflake or Flower Cookies:
- sugar cookie recipe
- royal icing recipe
- piping bag, coupler, and #3 piping tip
- fondant or gumpaste
- cornstarch or icing sugar
- small rolling pin
- PME flower cutter
- PME snowflake plunger cutter
- ball tool
- flower formers or egg carton
- edible sugar pearls
- toothpick
- disco dust (optional)
- plastic modelling board and non-slip mat (optional)
*
If you’d like to see how I made the snowman and number cookies pictured here, here’s a little video:
{Video} How to Make Snowman and Number Cookies
CLICK HERE if you can’t see the video.
*
I found this adorable snowman image on the internet HERE. It looks like scrapbooking paper to me, but I’m not sure. I need your help finding the source please… If you recognize this image and know where it comes from, please let me know so that I can give them credit. I don’t normally post something unless I can give credit where credit is due, and I thought I’d be able to find the source by the time I posted this. I’d be really happy if I could find the artist!
B.t.w., the sparkly wreath in the photos is from Holly’s Sweets & Eats.
If you’d like to make the cookies, here’s a list of what you’ll need:
What You’ll Need to Make Snowman and Number Cookies:
- Gingerbread or Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Royal Icing Recipe
- Circle Cookie Cutters & Paring Knife
- Piping Tips
- Piping Bag Coupler
- Piping Bags
- Icing Bag Ties (You can use elastic bands)
- Toothpicks
- Red Candy for Snowman’s Nose
- Kopykake Projector (optional)
And if you’re inspired by a snowy theme too, these little meringue snowmen we made at school last week are fun and easy to make. It’s as simple as piping two balls of meringue on top of each other with a very large, round piping tip, baking for two hours at a low temperature and adding the details with royal icing. We had a little trouble with the meringue bleeding, and although it tasted caramelized and delicious, that’ll be a new experiment for me to figure out how to avoid. If you’ve got tips, I’d love to hear!
If you have any questions or comments, please leave me a comment below, on Facebook or twitter.
Hope you’re excited about 2012, and snow or no snow, fresh starts and new beginnings! What are you looking forward to this year?
Happy New Year to you!
xo,
Marian
Mary says
So pretty! 🙂
Anna says
Adorable!
sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says
so cute, because of you I went out and bought some fondant cutters myself. I love how easy they are, I have the snow flakes too and love them!
Anne says
All are beautiful – and I love, love, love the snowman!
monica says
I really love your tutorials…you are the best teacher:-)
You have the best cookies blog that I have seen!!Thanks for sharing
Denise says
So cute! Love it! Thank you very much for share with us! Today I get my copykake as a new year gift. Send from the States to Turkey, where I live! 🙂 so happy but it’s all your fault! I’m in love with your site and your works! Happy new year, full of joy!
Pat Kuhn says
according to the link you sent for the snowman it is part of a set of window stickers. I think it is the cutest snowman and makes a very cute cookie!
Denise says
monica wrote:
Leonie says
How refreshing to see some cool biscuits and cool comments about your fresh snow as where I live in Australia we are sitting around in 90+% humidity with overcast skies due to the cyclone off the coast in the northern parts of our country – even thinking about cooking makes me sweat! However we have all enjoyed a lovely christmas with all the traditional trimmings, including gingerbread houses, cookies and pudding, all covered in “snow” (sugar) despite the heat – we’re tragics I know but it is/was Christmas. Love your site and enjoy your emails.
D.J. says
Hi Marian: I always enjoy your blog and videos. I’m just curious why you choose to use cornstarch to dust your board. I’ve always used powdered sugar. Is there some advantage to the cornstarch or is it just personal preference?
Maria says
I love your way of sharing all your knowlige and talents.
very cute snowman and snowflake cookies.
Happy New Year to you Marian!
ML
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Mary, @ Anna: Thanks!
@ sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more: That’s great! I’d love to see some pics of what you make if you’d like to share.
@ Anne, @ monica: Thanks so much!
@ Denise: Oh how exciting! I can’t imagine how expensive the shipping must have been! I’m sure you will have fun though. Please share some photos if you’d like to. xo
@ Pat Kuhn: That’s funny, it was an image with a fluorescent light ad with the snowman underneath. Will go check it out. Thanks!
Oh @ Leonie, how wonderful! I’d make gingerbread houses etc. as well, no matter what, but also think it would be so neat to have the warm weather you have down there. I am a bit jealous of your climate and country! It’s on my list of ‘must-see’ places. =) Happy holidays!
@ D.J.: I guess I’m a creature of habit – I was just taught that way at the Bonnie Gordon College, although I do mention icing sugar (powdered sugar) as an alternative. (I use it if I run out of cornstarch). The school is where I learned about the little cornstarch ‘pouch’ as well. In terms of why they used it… I never thought to ask! Hmm… I know icing sugar has cornstarch IN it… maybe it’s ‘drier’ somehow, or tasteless? I will definitely share if I find out, and if you do, I’d love to hear back from you. Happy holidays to you!
@ Maria: Thanks! To you as well! xo
Tammy says
Your cookies are fantastic!!! I love that you are willing to show us how you do it. Very talented!!
Andi says
Stunning as always! Your elegant creations always take my breath away and inspire me like no other. You rock!
NAtoya says
you are truly awesome!
Francesca says
Wonderful Marian, as always!! Thank you for sharing and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
marian says
@ Tammy, @ Andi, @ NAtoya, @ Francesca: Thank you and Happy New Year to you!
IFeelCook says
Great videos!! I love your cookies. The snowman is sooo cute 🙂
Happy New Year!
Gail says
Marian, Happy New Year to you! And thank you for the WONDERFULLY entertaining tutorial with the happiest music. SO sweet, so different, and so special. Thank you for sharing all your creativity with us.
xoxo
marian says
@ Gail: Thank you so much Gail! Happy New Year to you! xoxo
meaghan (the decorated cookie) says
All so very genius! Oh my goodness, that snowman!! I just posted a link on edible crafts :).
marian says
@ meaghan (the decorated cookie): Thank you so much! Happy New Years Meaghan!
Stacey says
you know Ilove that merangue snowman in the bag marian. Snowmen happen to be what I collect. Although I am very picky about my snowmen. As one should be. Kinda like the man you choose to spend your life with. LOL Really really picky about my snowmen and that lil one in the bag made the cut. Actually the KOPYKAKE one made the cut too. I like that you just did the brown and white with his lil cold red nose. Very cute idea. But love love love the one in the bag. kinda likea lil snow globe effect going on there is what ithought when isaw it then I thought that iwished I had one to eat before the New yr came in. Oh well meringue is not so high in calories and a nice winter icon. not just for Christmas. but would be cute fora kidssnowday. You dont have many of those snow days do you??/ LOL. Nice for a kids snow day when they come in from being out in the snow on a day off from school because of the snow. Served up with some warm cocoa after sledding snowball fights and tag football i nthe snow. Think I might have to do that if we geta snow day. Wish we would get more here in Nc. Actually this time last year e had our share. to the date. I dont missthough the months and months of knee deep snow from my upbringing in my teenage yrs in upstate NY on Seneca Lake. I do miss the beauty but dont miss hunting for Easter Eggs in the snow with my lil sis. Speaking of Easter eggs thought I might mention…
For the flowers that you made forthe cookiesFor those who do not have or want to use an egg carton or if you do not have the molds. I can tell you that from my cake experience(which I have more of than cookies) get some plastic Easter eggs that you fill with candy for the kids for egg hunts. They now come not just in colors for Easter but for all occassions. Open them up and put your fondant or gumpaste flowers in that or those. You can close them up too or double up by using both ends ofthe plastic eggs. I like to use the different size eggs(plastic) they are so economical and you actually can close them up with your cutouts inside in case you worryabout critters. Dont have that problem but also great for traveling with them if you are baking in a commune kitchen. One more thing in case others did not know you can turn your fondant into gumpaste just by adding tylose. it actually pretty much is what ever you prefer. I think tylose makes it easy to have just fondant or home made fondant on hand and if you need gumpaste Viola tylose to the rescue to make gumpaste. K long enough. Hope you have the very best new Years Eve. Doing anything special??? Happy New years to marian the best teacher Ever. mehgan you are awesome too. Another site to marvel over. I love your book. marion needsa book deal pronto!!!!!!!! We are waiting patiently. xoxox Stacey
sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says
@ Marian (Sweetopia):
Here is a link, I made some cut outs like yours and I also made printer cookies, I learned it all from you here:)
http://cakeballscookiesandmore.blogspot.com/2011/11/printed-sugar-cookies-week-9-of-12.html
Tatyana says
Hi Marian,
I love you new videos and all of your creatoins. You are so talented.
Happy New Year!
Christina says
All of the cookies are so beautiful! Happy New Year!
marian says
As one should be @ Stacey. Picky about our snowmen. *Love it!* You make me smile! I’m glad you like the meringue snowman. I think he needs a scarf to hide the bleeding, but hopefully the next recipe we use won’t have bleeding. Here are some pics of the other ones we made at school:
http://twitter.com/#!/sweetopia/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Finstagr.am%2Fp%2Fa6gZD%2F
They kind of look like snowman/ghosts. 🙂 But the kids loved them and they were so much fun to give out. (We gave a bunch out to the staff).
Oh and yes, we had 4 snow days by this time last year, and this year none. =( They would be fun (and easy) to make for a snow day. Let me know if you figure out the bleeding issue please.
Thank you for the flower former drying ideas and the tylose tip! Happy new year morning to you!
Thanks and happy new year 2012 @ Tatyana and @ Christina!
Jacque says
Adorable!!!
Ana Lara says
Love your blog and your tutorials. I have learned a lot with your videos and tips… Your are the best making goods and decorating!! God bless you every day =)
niner // sweet treats says
Mariaaan…because i dont have internet in my new apt. yet, THIS is holding me up from seeing your videos and posts like RIGHT when you post them LOL..
Ohmy what a great Monday, a great day start work with: a lovely sweetopia post with video(S!) – it makes me just sit here with my mouth wide open haha.. i love your talent, you already know. you inspire me to work hardddd this year on my cookie skills haha..
Thanks SO MUCH for this awesome post.
MUCH LOVE and Happy New Year sweets!!
niner 🙂
A Canadian Foodie says
Marian!
That is a very valuable video. After watching it, I definitely know how to do it. Do you make your own gum paste? You must. I will look on your site. I love winter themed cookies and have snowflake cookies on my site much different than yours… but pretty, too. I think this would be a fun project for me to do with a group of young friends for a wedding or baby shower.
Happy 2012 and thank you for the sparkling inspiration!
🙂
Valerie
marian says
@ A Canadian Foodie: Thanks so much! I actually don’t make my own gumpaste… I used to use Wilton but now discovered Ace of Cakes gumpaste at Michael’s. It’s waaaay better than Wilton – nicer texture and an improvement in taste.
Happy 2012 and hope to meet you at a conference some day!
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets says
Complete adorableness!! the video is amazing..inspires me to practice more on keeping a STEADY hand while piping :o) I LOVE the cookies!
Carolina says
Thanks!!!!
Denise says
Hi Marian,
I get my Copycake two days ago! I’m so happy! The company was so nice and follow me with all the procedure of shipping, and no, compare of how much expensive they sell here, with the shipping cost was not so much like you think! 🙂 Thank you again! I will love to share my cookies photo, but no idea how I can do it, via Facebook!? Thank you for the beautiful inspiration website! ♥♥♥
marian says
Yay @ Karen @ Sugartown Sweets!
My pleasure @ Carolina.
Hi @ Denise: Oh that’s so wonderful!! Please, yes, share them on my facebook page!! Can’t wait!
Juli says
Marian, all your work is just absolutely beautiful! Im so happy to have found you on Utube and this site.I love making cookies, but I get into it more-so now and making cookie bouquets and baskets. I want to know EVERYTHING….LOL
Thanx so much for being here and being so kind in sharing.
Katie says
Hi Marian!
I bought a kopykake projector, and it seems that my light isn’t strong enough to project the image. I’m using the bulb that came with, and my pictures are on a heavier paper. Do have any tips? I watched your video on the projector & I’m out of ideas :/
Thanks for the help!
Katie
marian says
My pleasure, @ Juli, thank you!
@ Katie: If that happens to me, I outline the image with a black pen to make the outline more noticeable. Hope that helps!
Afsheen saleem says
hi Marian,
when our icing for outlining and filling are of different colors do we have to wait for the outline to dry, or can we just continue even if it’s wet?
thnx
marian says
Hi Afsheen,
If the color is darker, like a brown or black, I do let it dry for a few hours at least (and in a room with a dehumidifier and A/C if it’s summer time and humid outside), and later do the lighter colors. That way bleeding of colors doesn’t happen.
Afsheen saleem says
Marian, do you have the recipe of the fondant/gum paste you use for decorating your cookies.
thnx once again 🙂
marian says
Hi Afsheen, I used a store bought one by Ace of Cakes actually! 🙂
Adele says
Hello Marian, I would like to ask you about that meringue snowmen, can you please post a recipe? I would really appreciate it, because my first try was not very good… Thank you very much!
marian says
Hi Adele,
I will try! I still have to work out a few kinds (the neck of the snowman… have to work on that). In the meantime, have you tried Martha Stewart’s meringue recipe? I’ll bet it works! 🙂 xo
Tomi says
Thanks for video!!!