I entered Hallmark with the intention of finding a card for a friend, and discovered a happy thing. The perfect cookie platter. There it was, in all it’s red and pink glory… The word cookie splayed out on the platter, in the shape of cookies themselves. How could I pass it by?
I didn’t, of course.
Copying these cookies was easy enough. Besides royal icing loops on the C and the heart (the C kept reminding me of those chocoloate hostess cakes and were igniting some serious cravings for one btw), the E (don’t have small e cutter) was lined with clear sanding sugar, and the “sprinkles” on the S were actually royal icing lines.
The tricky part was going to be the clear ‘droplets’ on the heart. (Which by the way I forgot to make my cookie into a heart shape… I made a circle… Oops).
How to Make “Water Droplets” out of Sugar
Turns out, it was easy after all. I just crushed up some clear, Trebor glitter mints, put the now powdered candy on a plate lined with parchment paper, melted the candy 10 seconds at a time in the microwave, and was left with little, sweet, water-like droplets. I wish, my dear friends, I had taken photos, but at the time, my head was thinking about this post; 50+ Secrets of a Cookie Decorator. You see, this little cookie plate really was the catalyst for making me think about just how cookie obsessed I really am. Click on over to check it out, and leave me a comment if you’ve remotely thought any of those things before; it would help to know that it isn’t just me.
A couple of notes – It takes a lot of the little dew droplets to cover the cookie. Notice how mine are spaced out more than the one on the platter. Got tired.
If you’d like a little more explanation on how to crush candy and melt it in the microwave, click here. I bought my Trebor glitter mints at Bulk Barn, and if you’re having trouble finding them on line, you can melt any other clear candy or, as an alternative, use isomalt. Isomalt is often used by diabetics as a sugar substitute as it only has a small impact on blood sugar. The amount on this cookie isn’t considered a large amount, but you should know, ahem, apparently ”…if consumed in large quantities flatulence may occur”. Here is an article on wikipedia if you’d like to see more; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isomalt
Oh, and a wee dab of royal icing under each dew drop, and tweezers to pick each little one up and attach.
If you were to look closely at the ‘e’ in the platter, you’d see it has the same water droplet effect. My E cookie doesn’t. Again, got tired.
I’m thinking though, if you ever need to make the sugar droplets, I don’t think you’ll need as many. They could work as dew droplets on sugar flowers or leaves, or any kind of water effect for a gingerbread house or bathtub cookie/cake etc.
Hope you’re enjoying the weather and life, wherever you are. I know Lionel (our Lionhead bunny), is as excited about spring as I am. On the bottom left instagram photo, he’s waiting patiently by the door for his daily ‘outside play’. The other instagram snaps are of H-banana and my lack of ‘hair-do’ skills, and Mr. Sweetopia with a fluffed up Lionel.
Oh, and can’t forget this one! There’s a new, pretty and fresh, pastel ‘Cookies’ platter out at Hallmark now, too…
How pretty would those cookies be!
Have fun baking and good luck!
xo,
Marian
p.s. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you’d like to find out about my newest videos and, if you’d like to never miss a post, and/or receive more tips on cookie decorating, click on this button below to sign up:
Very adorable and super cool technique! You handled a delicate subject with gas I mean class.
Also Marian, I tried to click on “sign up” for your newsletter and it isn’t a link, only an image.
Awesome love it good idea thanks
Ah, thank you, @ Michele, it’s fixed now!
Thanks, @ grethel!
I love these cookies and how you’ve matched them to the platter. You are so incredibly talented!! Thanks for the how-to!
Thank you!
@ marian:
Found them at Eaton Centre!
So cute. And they’re only about $11 with the promo, otherwise it’s 17
Awesome @ peace! And I know, on sale because it was an Easter plate – perfect!
just picked up the pastel one last week! Too cute…..love your work!
Marian! These are SO beautiful and clever and gorgeous! I would love to start decorating cookies, but I fear it will distract me from cakes and I still have so much to learn there!
So many top tips, thank you. x
Amazing information! You are making my head spin with possibilities!! THANK YOU!!!
Great looking cookies Marian, ur work is always an “A” plus, thanks for the tips.
So adorable!!!!
Totally awesome – gorgeous cookies and brilliant dew drops!
BTW – rushed out to Hallmark on Monday morning and got the last one of the pastel cookie platters & it was on the clearance rack too! Thanks Marian!
You’re so clever. I went to culinary school, and I swear I learn more from your blogs than what I spent 50K to learn!
Hi Marian!
These are beautiful cookies! You are such an amazing inspiration for me
I understand, @ Lesley (Royal Bakery), I would like to get into cakes more, but still feel like doing more with cookies first.
Woo hoo@ Janice!
What a compliment @ Amanda Innes-Shareef! Thank you, and everyone for your kind comments here!
Hi Marian,
I decided to include my last initial when writing you. This way your other followers will not be confused and it won’t seem so odd for you when my name pops up.
Anyway, you continue to amaze and delight me and your many other fans with your creativity, ingenuity and amazing talent. What a blessing you are.
Marian N
Hi @ Marian N:
Grinning from ear to ear. I love when your name pops up – always fun! Thank you for your lovely comments!
Spectacular effect. You really amaze me:)
I love your ideas you are the best
Oh my! LOVE this plate and the cookies and the second plate! Sooooo darling!!!
I love this post and I love, love, love the white cookie platter. It is gorgeous….thank you my dear friend!
Hi Marian,
I loved your replica of the cookie platter from Hallmark! Awesome work. If you had not mentioned that there was anything different, I would not have noticed but awesome work all the same. I tried to sign up for your website but was unsuccessful. Thanks for the gracious tips on decorating cookies!
KC
You are terrifically talented, Marian. Thank you for sharing your creativity in the kitchen and behind the lens!
Hello @ Kescher Andrews: Hmm, would you be able to let me know at what point there were difficulties in signing up please? That way I can narrow it down to help you. Thanks!
Well, thank you, @ Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking! xo
Hi Marian,
Just love your site, my question is the disco dust. I am told it is not edible. I love the disco dust on your cookies, I have not tried it too afraid to. Can you tell me is it safe to eat??? Where can it be purchased?? Locally here they will not carry it because they say it is small pieces of plastic, non-edible. I can’t sign up for the newsletter either:( Great work on the Hallmark platter cookies you are the greatest.
Hi @ Michiganlass: There’s a blurb about disco dust here: http://sweetopia.net/2012/03/how-to-make-st-patricks-day-decorated-cookies/
Thanks for your comments!
@ Kescher Andrews, @ Michiganlass: The newsletter seems to be working, does it work for you?
Hi Marian,
Thank you so much for your response:) I just love the look of the disco dust, wish FDA would approve it as edible. I am going to try it, as you say in moderation. No the newsletter is not working for me, can you just add me to the list?? I enjoy your site so much, keep up the wonderful work. I also enjoyed your idea of buying roses, I keep trying to perfect them also:) Still trying to get to your level, maybe someday!!
Hi @ Michiganlass: No problem, I can add you!
Would you mind sharing what browser you use please? (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome etc.). Also, what part doesn’t work for you please? Thanks so much!
@ marian:
Mi Marian,
I use Explorer, and when I try to bring up the spot to subsribe to the newsletter, it won’t do a thing. Thank you so much for adding me, now I will know what you are up to next. I have relative’s in Calgary, Berwyn Alberta, and Grande Prairie:).
Thanks again,
Michiganlass
Marian I love this dew drop idea! Wow! AWESOME! I live in a smaller town that has no isomalt— have you done this with heating sugar and syrup in a pan?
HI @ On A Lark Creations: No, I haven’t, but would love to hear how it goes if you try it!
What an awesome tip. The effect is great!
I had the exact same reaction to the C, it totally looks like that little hostess cake! Thank you so much for all of your tutorials. I’m more of a cake and fondant sort but I can’t wait to start on cookies now!
Thank you, @ Lisa!
Ha ha, @ Cassie D., funny how we recognize it instantly! Have fun with cookies! Maybe I’ll come to you with cake questions, as I’m more of a cookie girl, but want to start cakes too. =) Have fun!
Marian, so glad you enjoyed the cookie plate! They were my designs! Enjoy them! A fellow cookie lover, Cindy :+)
Hi @ Cindy! How cool is that! Thanks so much for leaving a comment – I obviously love your cookie plate design! Do you have a website you could share pls? xo
LOVE THE COOKIES PLATE AS WELL!!
Hi! First off, I wanted to commend you on your work. You are amazingly talented! We all appreciate you sharing your talent with us! My question is, is the “Trebor glitter mints” you mentioned the same as the “Trebor strong mints”? If so, does the minty taste come thru on the cookies?
Hi, The cookies are beautiful. What brand and size letter cookie cutters did you use for the capital and small letters? Thanks. Kathy
HI @ Lani: It does, a subtle flavour, but yes.
@ Kathy: I used my alphabet letter set Williams-Sonoma was selling a few years back. It only came with capital letters so ended up not making the small letters. Here’s what they look like; http://www.diggerslist.com/sale/kitchen/William-Sonoma-ABC-Cookie-Cutter-Set-of-26-Letters-in-Metal-Storage-Tin/57525/
pls how to make drop’s