I do.
I do promise you that these cookies are easy to make.
Wedding season – filled with lovely lace & rich fabrics, pretty baubles, luscious flowers and decadent sweets of all kinds – it’s a season of exquisite inspiration, and for those of us fulfilling the wishes of brides, or hoping to wow our lovely ladies with a sweet gift we’ve made for a bridal shower or for the wedding itself, rising to the occasion can actually be a stressful situation. It’s a time in her life she will always remember and cherish, and we want to make her happy.
If you’re in charge of making cookie favours, (like I was, for a different reason though, which I’ll explain in a second), a sweet and simple option are these edible sugar lace cookies. And I do mean simple. They’re easy to make, even if at first glance they may seem impossible to create. I’ve adorned mine with a pale pink flower and an adorable ‘I do’ flag (made by Laurel of Go Against the Grain. I love them! You can find them here if you don’t have time to make them), but there are so many other possibilities with these cookies! I’ve got a few more ideas for you, which I’ll share at the end of this post.
Now if you’ve got to make let’s say 200 lace cookies, you may want to stay on the simple side in terms of design, but either way, I have a little secret for you on how to easily make the edible sugar lace itself. And it’s a technique you can use for anything – cakes, cupcakes, hot chocolate (you’ll see)… The potential is endless.
Speaking of possibilities, the reason why I made these was for a wedding cookie collaboration. Anne Yorks of The Flour Box Bakery (who incidentally is on my Decorating Directory here, if you’re here because you’d like to order some cookies), graciously challenged some cookie decorators to pick up a copy of the May 2012 edition of Brides magazine, and use anything from that magazine to inspire our cookies. The results are stunning! Here are all the other cookies and the decorators who participated below:
1. Hani of Haniela’s (pages 154 and 189) – Facebook Page
2. Marian of Sweetopia (page 79) – Facebook Page
3. Lorraine of Lorraine’s Cookies (page 267) – Facebook Page
4. Callye of Sugarbelle’s (page 267) – Facebook Page
5. Vicki of Sweet Tweets (pages 128-129) – Facebook Page
6. Linda of Frog Prince Cake & Cookie Design (page 267) – Facebook Page
7. Debbie of Mt. Lookout Sweets (page 96) – Facebook Page
8. Kim of Kookie Kreations by Kim – Facebook Page
9. Samantha of Flour-De-Lis (page 80) – Facebook Page
10. Laura of Laura’s Cookies (Pages 142, 189, 267, and 286) – Facebook Page
11. Georganne of LilaLoa (page 105) – Facebook Page
12. Jill of Jill FCS – Funky Cookie Studio (pages 72-73) – Facebook Page
13. Anne of Flour Box Bakery (page 189) – Facebook Page
14. Liz of Arty McGoo (page 267) – Facebook Page
15. JoAnn of The Biscuit Box (page 79) – Facebook Page
I love each cookie decorators pretty creations! Thanks so much to Anne for organizing this and for inviting me!
It was easy to find inspiration in the lace and flowers everywhere in the magazine.
And my secret to the simplicity of making these cookies, one that you may already know about, is a confectionery icing called, SugarVeil.
What is SugarVeil?
SugarVeil is a confectionery icing which is like any royal icing; it can be piped, or used to flood cookies etc., but the absolutely unique (and amazing!) thing about it, is that it’s actually flexible and pliable while it’s drying, so that it can be manipulated into shapes just like a fabric would, for example. It may seem confusing, so let me show you what I mean in the tutorial below on these lace cookies instead:
*
How to Make SugarVeil Lace Cookies
What you’ll need
- SugarVeil Icing Mix
- SugarVeil Mat
- SugarVeil Spreader
*A wallpaper spreader works as well - Shortbread Recipe
- Cookie Cutters
- Royal Icing Recipe
- Piping Bag
- Coupler
- Piping Tip #3
Step One:
Make and bake the shortbread cookies.
Step Two: Make the SugarVeil icing according to the package instructions. You will need a mixer of some sort, even if it’s a $10.00 hand blender. Besides the SugarVeil powder, the only other ingredient is water. It’s recommended the icing sit for overnight, so I made the icing in the morning, and used it during the evening. (Same time frame).
Step Three: Make the royal icing and flood the cookies.
See here for videos on how I flood my cookies with royal icing. You can find lots of how-to’s in the the tutorial section above as well.
Step Four: While your cookies are drying, start working on the edible lace.
You’ll need:
- SugarVeil Lace Mat (of your choice), I used the following from SugarVeil.com for these cookies; SugarVeil Lace Mat, Flower Net Mat & Rose Mantila Mat
- Confectionery spreader (can be bought via SugarVeil.com or you can buy a wallpaper spreading tool)
a) Put a dollop of SugarVeil on the mat. If you have too much or too little you’ll be able to figure that out in the next steps. (Photo courtesy of SugarVeil).
b) Using the spreading tool, spread the SugarVeil out on the mat. You can move in any direction, as long as you distribute the SugarVeil over the whole mat. It helps to press down while you’re spreading too, that way the icing is forced into every little groove. (Photo courtesy of SugarVeil).
*Something to note… Above is a photo of the first time I tried SugarVeil a few months ago. Notice the fine bits of sugar in the holes. I forgot to do this one last (important) step:
c) Once you’ve spread your SugarVeil accross the whole mat, clean the edge of the spreader with a damp cloth, and do one last clean swipe of the whole mat. This will clean up all the edges. Here’s what my mats looked like this time (Sorry about photo lighting… took pics at night in my kitchen):
d) Once the SugarVeil has set, which can vary depending on room temperature humidity (anywhere between 2 hours to overnight), you’ll be able to easily peel the corners of the SugarVeil away from the mat. I let mine set for approximately 4 hours. Place the mat face down and use your fingers to start peeling away the lace from the mat, and then use your spreading tool to pin the lace down while you peel the mat away from the lace. Peel away approximately 3 inches or 8 cm at a time, reposition the spreader close to the mat again, and peel away. The key idea is to peel the mat away from the lace, and not the lace away from the mat.
Once you’ve peeled the mat away, you’re left with your edible lace!
You may be able to tell from the photos – the lace is pliable, and although it’s delicate, still fairly easy to work with.
Step Five: Besides manipulating it into ribbons or any number of shapes, you can cut out the pieces you need to suit your design. (Next photo is courtesy of SugarVeil).
Step Six: Place your edible lace onto the cookie and gently press onto the surface of the dry royal icing. (Make sure your royal icing has dried for at least a few hours. Drying time depends on humidity, but you should be able to press on the surface of the royal icing, without indentations happening). The SugarVeil lace easily adheres to the surface of the iced cookie.
Tuck the corners into the crevice where the icing and cookie meet…
or let the edges drape over the side. For some variation and height, I bunched up the lace a little on a few of the cookies.
Besides adding flowers, like the sweet little pink ones I have here, from Petra International, there are endless possiblities that SugarVeil provides. Imagine wedding dress cookies with sweet edible lace, or little lace bows! Add little edible pearls, isomalt jewels, airbrushed or luster dusted icing and a sprinkling of glittery disco dust. Just maybe not all of them at once. Or, maybe yes, whatever works!
Another version I played around with below, was made using some sugarpaste, dogwood flowers from this post here and this Coppergifts.com plaque cutter, but I preferred the soft, kind of shabby chic look with the pink flower instead.
You could also combine the lace with gumpaste medallions, like these which Susan Trianos has made on her tufted billow weave cake:
And not to digress too much, but don’t you just love those tufted billows?! I fell in love with them when I saw Mandie’s, {thejoyof} cake, pretty version on Facebook, and have since discovered that Susan Trianos began the trend of layering the ‘billows’ into a weave patten. I love it! I need to try a smaller version of it for cookies! If you’d like to give it a go btw, Susan has a DVD on it here (Which she so kindly express mailed to me the other day – woo hoo! Thanks, Susan! I’ve already watched it and can tell you that she’s thorough and excellent at teaching, it’s no wonder she’s an instructor at the Bonnie Gordon College!).
What I’d really love to try, is the billowing with the SugarVeil lace, with medallions or little roses in between.
Anyways, you get the idea. The sky’s the limit in terms of possible combinations!
I haven’t even mentioned tasting SugarVeil yet… Subtly sweet, a hint of marshmallow softness… Hard to describe, but really, not overly sweet and easy to bite into on top of the cookie.
And another idea, this time completely unrelated to decorating cookies, but so fun I just have to share it with you – Imagine dressing up hot chocolate with one of these SugarVeil lace designs… it slowly melts as you drink your hot chocolate. So charming! (Photo courtesy of SugarVeil).
For more techniques, you absolutely must see the SugarVeil YouTube channel here and the SugarVeil site here. Michele Hester, the talented creator of SugarVeil, shows you how to make the icing, spread it onto the mats, remove it, and shares a multitude of other ways to use it.
Sweet thanks to Niner of Niner Bakes for helping me with a few photos for this post! If you’d like to see her newest post, adorable wedding cake pops, you can find them here.
I hope this mini tutorial has helped you! I welcome any questions or feedback… Have I forgotten to mention something? Do you need clarification on anything? Please ask or let me know.
Have fun creating!!
xo,
Marian
Sasha (Global Table Adventure) says
These are so, so sweet. I love the ones where the lace is bunched up a little – it looks so realistic. I had no idea this was even possible 🙂
Stephanie says
Amazing creation. So pretty too!
Jacquee {I Sugar Coat It!} says
These are stunning, Marian! I tried SugarVeil a few months back – found it easy to use, the lace turned out beautiful. However, I stored them and completely forgot about them. Sadly, they dried out and had to be discarded. After seeing yours, I will definitely give them a try – I have both of these mats. Great post!
Georganne (LilaLoa) says
These cookies are absolutely BREATHTAKING!!!! I LOVE that you used sugarveil for cookies! So, so, so pretty!!
Nicole Burris says
STUNNING!!!
Debbie says
Your cookies are just drop dead gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the technique!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
Amazing! You make it look so easy too.
Lynx says
Absolutely stunning. So delicately feminine and royal. Love it! I must give it a try.
Sue says
thanks a million for the tutorial and this is my 1st time seeing this beauty called sugarveil 🙂
haniela says
These are gorgeous, and again you make everything look so easy. I love how delicate these cookies are.
Kristine says
i hate to post this in the comments and seem pompous…but just wanted to let you know i caught a typo: “It’s recommended THICING…”
Step Two: Make the SugarVeil icing according to the package instructions. You will need a mixer of some sort, even if it’s a $10.00 hand blender. Besides the SugarVeil powder, the only other ingredient is water. It’s recommended thicing sit for overnight, so I made the icing in the morning, and used it during the evening. (Same time frame).
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Super stunning!
GLAIS says
this is amazing and beautiful..that will be the next stuff i will buy the sugar veil.
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe says
Great post. I’ve never heard of sugar veil before, but I’ll definitely be trying it soon. Beautiful cookies!! 🙂
Carolyn Woods says
Wow, this stuff looks great! I can’t wait to try it! Great ideas and beautiful work!! Thanks for sharing.
Precious Pie Cookies says
these are positively beautiful Marian. Just wondering, how well do you think they would ship if the sugarveil was bunched rather than flat on the cookie?
Maria says
That is spectacular! Beautiful! I love your ideas!
Maria
Marci Johnson says
WOW…. oh WOW…. (stunned into silence)
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite says
I am speechless Marian. Beautiful work and you make it look SO easy!!!
Marian N says
Woo Hoo . They are just too beautiful for words. My heartfelt thanks for all your hard work.
Deb H says
OMG. Just beautiful. Another thing I have to try……..
Thanks for all your hard work.
Deb in the Peg
Angie says
I love sugar veil. The cookies are gorgeous.Happy Baking and Decorating.
Yael says
So beautiful! Thanks so much for the outstanding tutorial. You are amazing, as always!
Kris says
The first time I have ever seen Sugarveil… Oh my goodness it is beautiful…. Thank you so much for sharing.
Claudell says
I saw the sugarVeil videos months ago, saddly it’s not available in my country, so thank you very much for tell us about the flavor… mmm I can even taste it! I love the sugarpaste flowers example, very elegant!
Made With Pink says
I love your cookie idea! So simple, but so elegant! I’ve seen sugar veil before at several cake decorating shows and have always wanted to have a go with it, but can’t justify the cost of all the gear for me, but your post has made me want it even more!!
Delfina says
Gözlerime inanamadım,her ÅŸeyin ilkini burada görüyorum Sweetopia,teÅŸekkürler…
Janis says
Hi again
This is truly a masterpiece. Your cookies and handiwork inspire me so much. Brilliant! I wish I had had these at my wedding.
nikki says
these are just beautiful!
Francesca Dolcimaterieprime says
This post is amazing and your creations are wonderful! Thank you for sharing it, this is very useful!!
Alejandra Quiroz says
These are gorgeous! If I had seen them before my wedding I would have embarked in yet another task just to have edible lace!!! Thanks for the amazing post!
Patricia Aguado says
Love your work, Marian!, thanks for sharing this incredible technique
Eftychia says
Thank you so much for this tutorial and the info about this product. I am not sure whether I can find this product in Cyprus but I will definitely buy this online. Thanks once more!
Ela says
Stunning. You are amazing, I so wish I could do that. Maybe one day I will get there.
Your information and photos are incredible Marian
Thanks for sharing
celine @ Le blog de Celinou says
it is really so sweet!!!!! so beautiful. Thanks for sharing this idea with us.
nelly says
really wonderful ideas
Tesei says
These are gorgeous, absolutely stunning! Thank you soooo ,uch for sharing this tutorial and all the lovely photos, congratulations!
Maria says
A gorgeous wonderful wedding cookie.Again you make it look so easy to do.Thank you for sharing this tutorial.
You are amazing!
ML
Maria Helena says
Uau…amazing, I don´t have words to say how wonderful your job are…gorgeous cookies and cake too.
Kirsty says
What have you done?! Now I have to blow my budget and go buy all kinds of sugarveil accouterments!
These cookies are gorgeous! And the lace topping the hot chocolate? I think my brain is doing somersaults in amazement. Now for an excuse to try this…
bridget {bake at 350} says
Oh my GOSH!!! These are absolutely STUNNING, Marian! I’ve never heard of Sugar Veil until now. I was obsessing over your instagram picture wondering just how you had piped that! 😉 Thanks so much for the tutorial. Now all I want to do is make lace cookies!!! Love the hot chocolate, too!
Paula says
This is the first time I’ve heard of Sugar Veil (I thought you piped the lace and was eager to see how you did the patterns so perfectly!) I love the added touch on your cookies of tufting the lace and putting on a little rose and the lace in the cup (sweet!). That billowed cake is stunning as are your cookies!
Theresa Murphy says
These cookies are freaking gorgeous! Thank you for sharing how you did the lace. Keep up the amazing work!!
Megan says
Now this is an amazing product. I wonder why most of us have never heard of it before! Thanks for teaching us yet anther new technique!!!
My question is can you use a cookie cutter to make it the same shape/size as the cookie and save time or does it tear the edges?
Kelly says
Absolutely divine!! 3 questions:
1. Would the sugar veil stick to glace icing?
2. Does the sugar veil ultimately dry enough to be bagged without sticking to the bag?
3. Can the sugar veil be colored and/or if applied to colored icing would there be a risk of bleeding (either from the colored sugar veil to the white cookie or from a colored glace icing to the sugarveil)?
I’d love to add this to my arsenal 🙂
Thanks so much!!
Kristen @ Sugar & Love says
Absolutely stunning, of course I would not expect anything less from you! Can I ask if you found a retailer in Canada for Sugarveil? I’d love to give it a try some time!!
Keep up the ever inspiring work!
Kelly says
@ Kelly:
One other quick question – what size were your round cookies? I’ve been “shopping” for the mats and it’s hard to tell what will fit onto a 3.5″ round cookie. Thanks!!
Roxanne says
I’ve seen this on youtube! Do you know how much lace you can make from a 5 oz bag? Did you just buy the 2 mats and spreader or did you buy the whole lace kit plus rose mat?
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Sasha (Global Table Adventure), @ Stephanie: Thanks so much for your comments!
That’s too bad, @ Jacquee {I Sugar Coat It!}! Looking forward to seeing what you create with your mats!
@ Georganne (LilaLoa), @ Nicole Burris, @ Debbie, @ Barbara @ Barbara Bakes, @ Lynx,
@ Sue, @ haniela; Thank you so much for taking some time to drop by and comment! I appreciate it!
Thanks, @ Kristine, appreciate that!
@ Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar, @ GLAIS, @ Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe, @ Carolyn Woods; Thanks so much! xo
@ Precious Pie Cookies: Sorry, I’m not sure. We ate them on the weekend, and I’ve never tried shipping them. Maybe visit the SugarVeil website and contact Michele Hester? She’s on facebook and twitter too.
@ Maria, @ Marci Johnson, @ Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite, @ Marian N, @ Deb H, @ Angie, @ Yael: Thanks so much for commenting! =)
@ Claudell: Yes, it’s fascinating! It may be available in a country nearby for shipping? Not sure if it’s an option you’d like. Thanks for coming by and commenting! xo
@ Made With Pink, @ Delfina, @ Janis, @ nikki, @ Francesca Dolcimaterieprime, @ Alejandra Quiroz, @ Patricia Aguado, @ Eftychia, @ Ela, @ celine @ Le blog de Celinou, @ nelly, @ Tesei, @ Maria, @ Maria Helena: Thank you so much!
Make me giggle! I know what you mean, @ Kirsty! It’s a ‘sugar tool’ habit. xo
Hi @ bridget {bake at 350}: Oh my goodness, can you imagine being able to pipe that!? Hope you have fun with SugarVeil too!
Thanks as always, @ Paula! I really appreciate you dropping by! xo
@ Theresa Murphy: Thank you!
@ Megan: I think you might need something sharper… I WISH I had tried it to make sure, but I think instinctively once I felt the texture (somewhat thick and sturdy, yet the lace pattern would rip if the cookie cutter had to be swished around, I think). I do know what *does* work… Those scrapbook punches for paper. Michele Hester uses them in one of her videos. Hope that works for you! If you try it, please come back and let us know how it went! xo
Hi @ Kelly:
Absolutely!
1) Do you mean while it’s wet? If so, yes it would.
Or, do you mean the different type of icing made with icing sugar, milk etc.? If so, I think yes, it would as well, however, if it’s like a glaze icing I’ve tried before, the icing doesn’t dry as hard, so you’d just have to be careful that you didn’t press too hard on the dry icing when adhering the lace. One other thing I didn’t mention, is that you could add a tiny bit of water to help the SugarVeil adhere. I didn’t need to, but if you can’t press much, the water might help.
2) Yes, it eventually dries hard, however, I’ve never bagged or shipped these, so I hesitate to recommend that without trying it, sorry! Maybe visit the SugarVeil website and contact Michele Hester to ask her? She’s on facebook and twitter too.
If they don’t end up being a great bagging option, perhaps the clear boxes would be pretty (just more expensive!).
3) Yes, SugarVeil can be coloured. Sorry, I don’t know if it would bleed in a very humid climate. (I think in a non-humid environment it would be fine).
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Hi @ Roxanne: Yes, with the 5oz bag I was able to make 6 mats worth. I have 5 different mats, the spreader, the comb etc… (blushing).