I wish I could say I was wearing this for Halloween.
If you can’t see the video click here please.
It’s amazing what you’ll do for children. {I may actually have had a little bit of fun wearing this… ahem… just a little ;-)).
Please be gentle with me in the comment section. 😉
My step-daughter and I really did have so much fun wearing our tutus, and I’m thankful to Marie of Bakerosity, for the gift of our beautiful custom-made tutus (She made them in the Sweetopia colours – how sweet of her!).
Of course I had to make some tutu ballet cookies.
Fitting my hobby (obsession?) of decorating cookies or other sweets in amongst life can be a challenge. I get asked on a regular basis how I manage to fit them in while working full-time, making time for family and other commitments.
In order to balance it all, I’ve had to figure out a stress-free way of getting them done – after all, I still want to enjoy the experience! I’ve shared two cookie decorating schedules I use here, and free printables to go along with them for you. Thanks to my web designer Arthur for making them!
Now I just have to figure out how to get more blog posts up besides just making the cookies.
Here’s my plan for making cookies and decorating them:
{Free Printable} Cookie Making Schedule
6 Day Cookie Decorating Schedule
{Click here for a printable version}
I prefer making my cookies according to the schedule above, however sometimes I do need to make them in a shorter period of time.
*
3 Day Cookie Decorating Schedule
{Click here for a printable version}
These tutu cookies are fairly simple designs, so I didn’t need much time to decorate them. You could definitely finish these on a 3-day schedule.
I hope you have as much fun as I did making them too. Oh, and the bow on the cookie b.t.w., is a pre-made fabric bow from Michael’s Craft store. I got the idea of using them from this sweet cookie book, The Flour Pot Cookie Book. The ribbons are just barely iced so that they’re easy to remove.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to drop me a line in the comment section below, on Facebook or twitter.
Happy decorating!
xo,
Marian
*Huge thanks to Niner of We Choose Organic for editing the photos for me!
** The tutu cookie cutter is from ecrandal.com
julie says
loved the post, told mom to take a look. your works is awesome, and you look pretty cute in that tutu I must say:-) xo
Liz @ Sunny Bug says
I personally love the tutu – both of them. My little one would wear one everyday if I let her (& most days I do). I actually have one on order because my “little one” has a 5th birthday party coming up and this year’s theme is Fancy Nancy. At this party…everyone gets a tutu. Even me! 🙂
Albion says
The schedules are going to be so useful for me. I love seeing in print that I need to force myself to not try to jumble everything together (which obviously always ends a mess!). Thank you!
[email protected] says
Boy, do I ever know these schedules by heart! Plus, I have an edible image printing business, a day job designing, and a 3 year old!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ julie: Hee hee, thank you! Looking forward to seeing you in a tutu too. 😉
@ Liz @ Sunny Bug: Oh my goodness! *Please* share your pictures with me on my Facebook page when the Fancy Nancy party is over. I would love to see!
@ Albion: Agreed! It helps me stay organized if I’m not as pressured. Hope it works for you too.
@ [email protected]: Pfewf! Brreeeathe! Kudos to you Angela – you truly are a superwoman!
Holly says
Thanks for much for the post and the honesty! I have the same problem trying to fit everything in, especially when it comes to decorating cookies and spending time with family. Your printable schedule is SO helpful. Thanks so much! (And by the way, you look very sophisticated in your tutu. I am sure your step-daughter cherishes those moments you spend together!)
Angie G says
First of all, you and your step-daughter look adorable! Thank you for posting theses schedules. It helps tremendously. I just got laid off from my full time job as an engineer so I totally understand trying to have a balance… Love, love your work!!
Carrie says
As always…you’re a genius. I’m printing these up right away. And I LOVE the tutu cookies. Pretty sure I’m going to have to steal this idea as a thank you gift for my daughter’s dance teacher. Thanks for once again giving me new ideas to make cookie making fun!
Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet says
You both look great, I particularly like the photo of her hugging your tummy taken from above. The cookies are pretty cute as well, I love ecrandal cutters.
Lightleaf Studio says
omg this is so precious !
Holly says
Hi there. Seriously, your life looks like a fairy tale book! You guys are simply adorable! I have two small boys so I doubt i would ever get to wear a tutu with them, well, you never know! Ha! Question…how do you keep your cookies so fresh when working on a six day schedule? I usually do a 3 day schedule because i get nervous that any longer and my cookies would be too hard? Do you cut them thicker and cook them less? Thanks so much if you are able to respond to my question! Thanks again for sharing and being such an inspiration!
terri says
oh my gosh! you guys look adorable! i wish i was a ballerina for halloween!! xo
p.s. cookies look amazing as well!
Brenda says
I think you both look adorable in your tutus. Your cookies are great. I saw Giada and her daughter dress like ballerinas on the Food Network, so you should have worn you tutu on Halloween night too!!
sue says
Those are adorable. I also try to have a schedule, it helps to keep it fun. Too much in one day and it gets to be too much.
Kate Norton says
I just ordered a similar cutter from Ecrandal. My daughter is having a ballet party in three weeks and I have been dying to make the cookies! Thanks fir the info about the bow. It looks beautiful, Marian. I love seeing your creations.
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Holly, @ Angie G, @ Carrie,@ Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet, @ Lightleaf Studio {and everyone!}: Thank you so much for your supportive and sweet feedback! I actually wasn’t sure if I was going to post us in the tutus, as I wasn’t sure how it would be received (open myself up to judgement I guess), but I shouldn’t have even thought about that… you are all so lovely and wonderful and kindred spirits in understanding the fun involved in pink and ‘childish’ things. We really did have so much fun, and she does want to wear it quite a lot now.
@ Angie G: I’m sorry to hear about you getting laid off, but the bright side is – you have more time to make cookies! 😉
@ Carrie: Would love to see the cookies you make on my Facebook page if you’d like to share them when you’re done!
@ Holly: It certainly isn’t a fairy tale 😉 , but, I’m grateful for fairy tale moments and am also certainly blessed in many ways – (knock on wood!) – healthy, family, friends, a job and this blog keeps me happy! As for the cookie making/freshness question, if you don’t mind, please read the first section of comments on this post – I answer it there. Besides that, I cut them fairly thick (maybe you can kind of compare yours to what you see in the photos above), and for the recipe I use, I bake them about 10-12 minutes (depends on size of cookie of course), until the edges are slightly golden.
@ terri, @ sue: Thank you!
@ Brenda: Oh I would have loved to see Giada (love her!) and her daughter!
@ Kate Norton: So fun! If you’d like to share your pics when you’re ready, I’d love to see them!
Jean says
Well, I’m a Grandma now but I have three girls. They were always such fun and a great excuse to have fun too! You BOTH looked fabulous, Dahling!!! You’re cookies are so pretty I just keep going back to ck them out again–and I make cookies in my business! Which leads me to a question I have. I’m small potatoes (one man show) but I just got an order for 290 cookies on a stick! Yeah—Right? Noooooo-I know I should be thrilled but I’m a wreck. Except for life always getting in the way, I always make and decorate cookies pretty much the way you suggested and I agree somehow seeing it in print let’s it all make sense! Anyway, I thought if I made each day actually span 3-4 days it might work for that order. I have one for 75 next week so I thought I’d try out that theory but I’d LOVE to hear what you think—you really seem to have your act together(I know, I know looks good on paper but you shud see me!!!) My business seems to be taking off without me, I wish I was ready for it!
Vania says
Love the tutu and the adorable cookies. Great job and well done!
Appreciated very much the Baking and Decorating schedule!
THANKS a lot!!!!!!!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Jean:Aw shucks! Thank YOU dahling! 😉
Oh, 290, now that’s a big order! It definitely is different if you’re doing a big amount. The 6 day schedule above would probably work, as long as you have the whole day free for doing the steps. (For smaller amounts I do it after work).
For day 3 you could make the icing in the morning, and then start decorating right away.
Do you have a lot of oven space? Baking the cookies on a stick takes more room on the baking sheet and you’ll need more time than usual to bake all 290 because less cookies fit in there at a time.
Even bagging them will take a good chunk of time. I think you already know, but trust me, it’s the little things (which I usually think won’t take long… which take forever!).
Good luck with everything!
@ Vania: My pleasure, and thank you!
Cassandra says
I think you, your step daughter and your cookies are adorable and sweet 🙂
Eftychia says
Beautiful work!! You do not stop to amaze us!
Deanna says
I love your cookies and love even more that you published a schedule – THANK YOU! I tend to cram my cookie baking and decorating into 2 or three days and get thoroughly exhausted. It is nice to see how you can easily break the steps down. One question I do have for you is based on one batch your cookie dough, how much time do you spend on each step. For example, how much time does it take you to prepar the dough on day 1, how lone it take to roll and bake the dough on day 2, etc. Thanks!
marian says
@ Cassandra: @ Eftychia: Thanks!
@ Deanna: Absolutely!
Making the dough – About 15 minutes (I was slower as a beginner – I’d say 1/2 hour. This applies to all items below… slower as a beginner)
Roll dough – 1/2 hr – 1 hour (depends on the shape complexity)
Make and color icing – Depends on how many colours – approx. 1/2 hour to an hour
Decorate Base- Depends on cookie complexity and how many I make (I don’t always make the whole batch of dough) 1-3 hours
Finishing Details – Ditto to the above
Hope that helps!
cakebrain says
Love the cookies! Your piping skills are excellent! My least favourite part of decorating cookies is the flooding part.
Deanna says
@ marian:
It certainly does! And it proved that I spend WAY too much time going through all my steps. Ahhhh the life of a perfectionist. Thank you again for your response.
marian says
@ cakebrain: Thank you!
@ Deanna: Glad it helps. Would love to see your cookies if you’d like to share on my Facebook page. =)
Teresa Rebelo says
Hello Marian!
Your cookies are always so perfect 🙂
Like to try to decorate with royal icing, but all those days needed discourage me … The cookies won’t get too soft? Thanks for the inspiration!
Teresa
Stephanie Newsted says
I can not thank you enough for posting this blog!! I am married, work full time and have a two year old, and have many days when I feel that I’ve failed due to only having 24 hours in a day! Between work and family, I struggle to find the balance to do things that I love. Although my husband is wonderful at telling me to relax, it’s nice to see a post like this. Thank you (and all the comments!) for reminding me that patience and a little organizing can go a long way!
marian says
@ Teresa Rebelo: Take heart Teresa, the reason why i have six days is because I’m doing it after work – I don’t spend a huge amount of time on it every day. For your second point – no my cookies don’t get too soft, but I am referring to the recipes I use – I can’t vouch for others. Please read the comments for more info. on breaking up the cookies in terms of how much time I spend each day etc. xo
@ Stephanie Newsted: I feel the exact same way! That’s why this ‘schedule’ developed. Hugs to you!
Heidi says
Hello! You are slowly mutating to my absolute cookie hero! I just love everything you make, and I so want to be able to do the same thing one day! So I practice…What I would like to know though is how you made the cookie with all the lines on it. I understand the pattern, it took me awhile but I get it! But I tried and it didn’t work out at all. Could you tell me what size tips you used and how stiff your icing was? Thank you so much, and sorry about wanting to copy!!
marian says
@ Heidi: Wow, thanks. Very high praise. You will be doing the same stuff I’m sure. You’ll need to share your cookies with me to inspire me in turn! =) The lines are made with 10 second icing (video on my youtube page if you haven’t seen it) – technically the lines might be a bit nicer if the icing were a bit thicker… as they are the meld into each other somewhat. But anyways, 10 second icing and #1.5 tip. Doing a video on piping lines is on my to do list, but hope that helps for now!
Becca from It's Yummilicious says
OMGosh, Marian… I fall more and more in love with you and your work with every post I read! To think that you do all of this beautiful work while raising a family AND working a full-time job simply blows my mind! You must be like the Energizer Bunny! LOL
I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a while now, but do you ship your cookies and if so, what is your suggested method for doing so? I’m taking part in a cross country cookie exchange and I need to figure out how I can ship royal iced cookies with the least chance of breakage. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Elizabeth says
Can you tell me how many cookies your recipe makes? I know it depends on the size but maybe in general? Thanks!!
marian says
@ Becca from It’s Yummilicious: Mwah – Thanks!
I’ve got a post here on how Cookie Craft ships theirs:
https://sweetopia.net/2009/12/how-to-ship-decorated-cookies-and-cookie-craft-giveaway/
It’s how I’ve shipped mine to TomKat studios with good results.
@ Elizabeth: On average about 25-30 cookies. Hope that helps!
Heidi says
@ marian: Thank you so much for the help Marian!! When I feel ready, I will try out for the sweet of the week!
Chris Johnson says
Where did you get the ballerina dress cookie cutout? It matches the invitations I just bought for a birthday party.
marian says
@ Heidi: Sounds good. =)
@ Chris Johnson: Perfect! The link to the cutter is in the p.s.
Chris Johnson says
@ marian:Thank you…didn’t see that.
Diana panno says
Hello going to try some cookies for the frist time
And would just like to know everything and have
Everything I need befor I start lol
With the flooding of the cookie can use a plastic sauce squeeze
Bottle instead of the piping bag ???
Thx
marian says
@ Chris Johnson: No problem!
@ Diana panno: This tutorial will help:
https://sweetopia.net/2009/06/cookie-decorating-tutorial-general-tips-butterfly-cookies/
And this video on tools too:
https://sweetopia.net/2011/05/video-cookie-decorating-tools-how-to-fill-a-piping-bag/
You might want to watch a few other youtube videos as well… you can find them by clicking on the youtube button on the top right of the site.
Have fun decorating and don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions!
Jennifer Clark says
Hi Marian
Congratulations on the Food and Drink Spread. I was over the moon to discover: 1) You’re Canadian 2) You’re in Ontario 3) You’re just as sweet as this Blog (it is my favourite!)
You are an inspiration, and I am sure your students LOOOOOVE you!
Your work is consistently gorgeous and inspiring. I just ordered my Kopykake 1000 on account of your endorsement, and the excellent tutorial. I think Food Network Canada needs to give you your own show!
I would also like to second a request for a video about making those delicate icing lines (I know you are very busy!)
Thank you again for your contribution to inspiring hobbyists like myself who are looking for simple steps to create beautiful works of art!
Take good care,
–Jennifer
Marian says
@ Jennifer Clark: Thank you SO much. I really enjoy working on the blog and really appreciate every single comment. Yours made me feel warm and fuzzy inside 😉 Thank you! I will def. Work on a piping lines video… I’m aiming to get it dine by the end of January. (I’m sorry! Wish I could promise earlier!)
It’s nice to ‘meet’ you and hope to ‘see’ you around.
Genevieve says
Hi Marian! 🙂 I’d been following your blog for many months now and I enjoy reading your posts so much! You and your step-daughter look really good together! 🙂
Your baked goodies are such lovely pieces of art; have you considered setting up your own bake business? I’m sure it will be a huge success! =)
Genevieve
Marian says
Why thank you, @ Genevieve! It’s a tough call- I really enjoy making sweet treats, but like teaching Culinary Arts at the high school level, too! Who knows, maybe one day?
Thanks again and happy decorating to you!
Mimi says
So sweet Marian, you look fabulous in the tutu!! I just want to know if you always let the cookies outside , not in the fridge? At the day-6, they are good?
thanks you!!!
Mimi
marian says
Thanks @ Mimi! Yes, they are still good, otherwise I wouldn’t use the 6 day method or recommend it to you. 😉 Remember, that the first day is making the dough, the second day is rolling them out and baking (and when they’re cooled you can put them in a tupperware container, layered between sheets of parchment and yes, at room temperature), the third day you’re coating the cookies with icing, which essentially seals the freshness in. Hope that helps! xo
Ali says
I’ve just set myself the goal of making cookies for my students who I will see for the last time this week before the summer/Christmas holidays. I’ve given myself a schedule and it’s coincidentally almost the same as your three day one!
By the way, I made your sugar cookie recipe this year and it’s the best I’ve made. I’ve nibbled on some of the rejects and they were delicious! I used vanilla paste instead of a bean. The recipe yielded approximately 50 small cookies – I cut stars, bells and snowflakes, most of which are only a couple of inches in diameter. I am just about to start making the royal icing!
marian says
@ Ali: I’m so glad to hear you like it! Would love to see some of your small cookies posted on my Facebook page, if you like! Happy holidays to you!
joann says
Marian,
I m following your schedule inorder to make cookies for my son’s party. I made the dough last night and will cut out and bake cookies today. Once they are baked, how do I store them? Do I put them in a container and in the fridge or container and leave out. I m new to making cookies so I second guess what I am doing. Thanks in advance !!!