Hi! Hope you had a great weekend!
I’m not sure I’ve ever been this excited to share cookies with you on a Monday… I mean, I love decorating cookies already, but I don’t know what it was about these little guys – they were just so simple and sweet – my favorite cookies to make thus far, I think!
The inspiration for them came from seeing these pretty cumulus clouds (thank you for helping me name the type of clouds, on Instagram, btw!). I’ve always loved fluffy ones and was eager to try out this adorable nesting set of cloud cookie cutters from Cheap Cookie Cutters I’d ordered a while back.
Not only that, I’m also excited to share a new cookie recipe with you – Cinnamon Molasses Cookies – they’re oh so good, and are perfect for decorated cookies as they hold their shape really well. With a few key tips, one can help prevent cookies from spreading (here’s my post if you like), but some recipes are just better than others in that department. (i.e. ratio of flour to sugar etc.).
Anyways, they were easy to decorate, and if you’d like to make them too, I’ve got a tutorial and recipe below!
Cookie Dough
Besides the cinnamon molasses cookie recipe (below), here are some other cookie recipes which work well for cookie decorating.
Royal Icing
You can find my favorite royal icing recipe here. The consistency of icing is key for easy decorating. Click here to see a YouTube video on finding the right icing thickness.
How to Decorate Cloud Cookies
Whether you make them as cookie pops or just cookies, here are some videos on each process:
How to Flood Cookies with Royal Icing
What You’ll Need:
Click on the item below to find it on line:
What you’ll need
- Cinnamon Molasses Cookie Recipe (below)
- Cloud Cookie Cutters
- Royal Icing Recipe
Add 1 Tbs real lemon, lime or orange juice - Piping Bags (3)
- Couplers (3)
- Piping Tips (#3, #1.5)
- Cookie Pop Sticks
- Food Gel Coloring (white, pink, black)
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Decorating Steps:
Step One: Make your dough.
Step Two: Once you have cut out your cookies, make sure you chill them for at least a few hours before you bake them.
Step Three: Make and adjust the icing consistency. For a video on how to find consistency, click here. Tint your icing using gel paste colouring.
Step Four: Flood cookies – The basics on how to outline and flood with royal icing can be found here. Using piping tip #3, outline the cloud perimeter with white icing.
Step Five: Fill or flood the cloud using the same icing and piping tip. Let those dry for a few hours at least, especially if you’re decorating in a humid environment. See here for a video on drying royal icing.
Step Six: Once the white has dried for at least a few hours, pipe the cloud’s eyes, mouth and cheeks, using a #1.5 piping tip.
Serve as is, or package in cellophane bags and tie with a pretty ribbon.
I made these for my family and friends, but think they’d be adorable as baby shower cookies!
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Notes:
- Playing around with the cloud face design on paper and on a plastic lid, first, helped me decide which way to pipe, without “wasting” any cookies.
- I love my cookie pop stand for its usefulness and even more so because my father made it for me. He’s not a man of many words, but it’s the things he does which speak volumes. I love the story of how and why he made it, so I’ll be sharing it in a blog post of it’s own.
- For flooding cookies, I generally outline and then flood immediately. Because I wanted the cloud cookies to be a little more puffy, I outlined, let that set for about 2-5 minutes, and then filled in the middle of the cookie. That way, I knew the dam, or outline of the cookie, would be a bit stronger (drier), so it would hold a bit more icing.
- I collect almost as much ribbon as I do cookie cutters, so was happy to use my cloud ribbon, by American Crafts, which I found at Home Sense a few months ago.
- A note about sliding your cookie pop sticks into the dough – Pay more attention than I did about sliding it into the center of the dough, rather than sliding it on the surface of the cookie sheet. The cookies held up fine, but the one on the left (below), for example, is sturdier than the one on the right.
- The baby blue, striped straws are from The TomKat Studio’s shop.
- For the cinnamon molasses cookies (recipe below), you can add more or less cinnamon, depending on your taste.
Cinnamon Molasses Cookie Recipe
Cinnamon Molasses Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 g unsalted butter, room temperature or 1 1/8 cups
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup molasses
- 800 g all-purpose flour or 6 1/3 cups
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix butter and brown sugar on medium speed until fluffy.
- Mix in spices first, then eggs and molasses. Reduce speed to low.
- Sift together flour and salt and add to bowl; mix until just combined.
- Wrap dough in a disc shape in saran wrap. Let it rest by refrigerating until cold, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface or between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thick.
- Cut shapes out with cookie cutters and place them approximately 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Refrigerate until firm; at least 15 minutes to 1 hour.
- Bake cookies until lightly golden; 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before decorating.
Notes
Have fun baking and decorating!
xo,
Marian
p.s. Okay maybe by now you’ve noticed that I’ve photographed this little cloud cookie quite a few times? Ahem. I’m still learning lots about photography and lighting, so spent a while on Sunday trying out different backgrounds and lighting options.
p.s.s. I couldn’t help it. Mmm.
Jamie@Milk N Cookies says
These are just too, too cute! Love how simple and adorable they turned out. And the coordinating ribbon that your found adds the perfect finishing touch.
niner bakes // ninerbakes.com says
Sweetie,
happy Monday and HAPPY niner because this is such a cute, sweet and adorable blogpost!!
I absolutely L O V E these cloud cookie pops!
So heavenly, so cute n fluffy looking.
You really made my morning =)
I have a thing for these cute little faces, I designed an ice cream cone character lately and used such a face, isn’t it SO CUTE and makes everyone so happy?!
The ribbon is adorbs too. Everything looks perfect and congrats on the photos! I love them!
Btw, for my latest cupcakes I took over 1000 photos..thats how I usually roll lol..taking hundreds of photos because you can never have enough to choose from + you end up deleting so many as well.
So: it is good you took that many! 🙂
Much love sweetie and thanks for such a lovely post!
xoxo, niner
marian says
Hi Niner! Thanks for the compliments! I really appreciate the time you take to leave me such nice comments!
I know what you mean about the photos – I took over 400 for this one! 1000 must have taken forever to go through! I haven’t received any email notifications for new posts from you… off to check your blog.
Hope you are well!! xo
Carmel says
Hi!
Love these and your newsletter! You have taught me so many things. I look forward to each and every issue. I have a question. I’ve tried researching it online but get varying answers. How many cups is 800g of flour and 250 g of butter?
I hope you can help me, I so want to make these cookies!! Thank you!!!
marian says
Hi Carmel,
Here is an illustrated conversion printable for you;
https://sweetopia.net/2013/06/weight-conversions-for-common-baking-ingredients-free-illustrated-printables/
xo
Carmel says
Thank you , Marian for getting back to me so quickly!!!
I copied the chart and also pinned it to save!!!
Thank you again!!!!
Addie says
The cookies look amazing as always. Both cinnamon and molasses are so good for the body too. I looked at the conversion chart and am still having problems figuring out how much flour and butter to use. Your recipe calls for 800 g of flour. If there is 127 g in one cup, do I use like 6 1/3 cups of flour? And slightly less than 2 cups of butter? I used to be good at math but this has me stumped.
marian says
Hi Addie,
Yes, that’s right! If one cup of flour is 127 grams, then you’ll need 6 cups of flour (762 grams) plus 1/3 cup of flour (42 grams). Technically you only need 6 cups of flour plus 38 grams of flour, but a difference of 4 grams is fine!
For the butter, 1 cup is 227 grams, and the recipe calls for 250 grams, so you’ll need 1 1/8 cups butter.
Hope that helps!
Maria Theresia says
very cute adorable cloud cookie pops!
creative backgrounds for your photos, exellent choices of your colour combination.
I love all your work. You are soooo talented! Thank you!
Have a great week.
ML
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Such a cute cookie design and post, Marian! Love that you coordinated everything for your shoot…right down to the cloud print ribbon and backgrounds. And, the cookies sound delish. So sweet! Thanks for sharing!
Cookbook Queen says
Marian, these are ADORABLE!! Those little smiley faces are killin me!!
marian says
Thanks, Kristan!
marian says
Thanks Jamine, Niner, Maria, Stacy and Carmel for the comments!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
This is the cutest idea ever! My kids would die if I made these 🙂
Pattie says
Oh, great. Yet another order to place with Cheap Cookie Cutters…Lol! These clouds are adorable. I can’t wait to make them. Thank you for sharing!
marian says
Made me smile, Pattie.
bridget {bake at 350} says
So, so precious, Marian!!!
I love the little faces…and the tip for practicing before piping on the cookie. So smart!
marian says
Thanks Sommer, Pattie and Bridget!
marian says
Hee hee, thanks! Had to learn the hard way, of course! 🙂
Miss Cuit says
Your cookies are so adorable!! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Kevin @ Closet Cooking says
What cute cloud cookie pops!
Maria says
Too cute!
Julie @ Table for Two says
These are seriously SO cute. looking at them makes me smile 🙂
Sue {munchkin munchies} says
What a great cookie to wake up to this morning:) They are so precious and cuter than cute!
Addie says
LOVE the cookie stand.
Robin Torres says
Just logged on to your site to day to look up a different cookie recipe to add to my platter off chocolate and vanilla ones. Love.. LOVE.. L O V E this design,I can’t wait to make this recipe. I am also excited to try making cookie pops. Your website is wonderful.
May I please ask that you convert your recipe to Cups for the Flour and also the butter,I have not had enough COFFEE yet this morning for my brain to be converting anything on it’s own.
marian says
Hi Robin,
Hee hee, I’ve just replied in Addie’s question above regarding the conversion, and will go and add the conversions to the recipe too, in the next few hours. Have fun baking!
Jan W. says
I actually “stick” my cookies underneath (like your “mistake”) one. Then I flood/decorate the bottom of the cookie. Less chance of the cookie breaking where the stick was inserted plus if they’re standing up on display, the back (top when cooking) is smooth and nice.
marian says
Great idea, Jan!
Mia says
What a wonderful way to start the week! Thank you for posting such a sweet idea. This treat would brighten anyone’s day. Marian, your skill level is always admirable. We’ll make sure to share all around. Enjoy the accolades!
Allie | Baking A Moment says
So adorable, Marian! Their faces are so cute… and I love how puffy the icing looks. 🙂
Sara says
These are soooo precious! I love it 🙂 and quite simple to make so i will definitely try for christmas gifts!
Cynthia says
Hi!
How do you store the left over royal icing (and for how long)? In case of storing, how do you bring it back to the right consistency?
Thank you much! 🙂
marian says
Hi Cynthia,
Here is a post for you:
https://sweetopia.net/2011/01/how-do-you-store-royal-icing-and-how-long-can-you-keep-it/
xo
Cynthia says
Thank you for the link on storage!
Your creations are always adorable! A great source of inspiration! 🙂
Andrea says
Do you have any suggestions on how to keep the “face” from falling off? Whenever I use this type of decorating the slighest bump and the dots fall off. Usually this happens while I am storing the cookies or during a shipping process.
Lastly are you in your new kitchen yet? Love to see updated photos
marian says
Hi Andrea,
That’s only happened to me once… The cookies in the display case at school… After a few months (they were dried and don’t go moldy, sugar is a natural preservative), the royal icing slid off a cookie pop. I’m wondering if it was because they were so dried out?
I’m sorry I can’t be off much help except to ask maybe what meringue powder you’re using, if it’s an above average dry climate you live in, and what cookie recipe were you using?
marian says
p.s. I WISH the kitchen was ready!! I’m using my mom’s right now as we’re experiencing renovation challenges.
ThisBakerGirlBlogs says
Aww these are just TOO cute!! 🙂
Heather Christo says
I just LOVE them!! They look like they have little personalities!
Janine | sugarkissed.net says
Simply adorable! I love the added touch of the matching ribbon!
naomi says
So dang adorable. I love the smiling faces – so sweet and happy. And great tip about practicing first!
Aimee Wimbush-Bourque says
I think I could actually make these!! Bookmarked for Clara’s next birthday. xxooxo
marian says
Yay! Happy to help if you have any questions, Aimee!
Jill @ Inspirations Fine Catering says
These cloud cookie pops are so cute… My kids will love them!!!
Jessica Burton says
wow.. just wow.. these are so adorable!!! I was wondering how these cinnamon molasses cookies differ from your gingerbread recipe as far as taste? Looking forward to christmas and making gingerbread cookies and this might be a great addition or substitute!
thank you for all of your inspiration!
Jessica
marian says
Hi Jessica,
Thanks! The recipe is actually based off of my gingerbread recipe – minus the gingerbread and plus more cinnamon. The molasses flavour comes out a little more, as the cinnamon isn’t as strong as the ginger. I decided to not put more cinnamon in the recipe though, as I like the molasses flavour combined with the cinnamon. You could always add more (cinnamon), if you like. Hope that helps!
Aimee / Wallflower Girl says
I can’t get over how insanely cute these are! Love them! And those cookie cutters are going on my wish list…
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
These are the cutest! Love the cloud shape and the matching cloud ribbon – adorable!
marla says
Cutest cookies ever!!!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
I have been a silent follower of your blog, have to say you have such a beautiful space here.
These cookies can make anyone’s day bright and lovely.
marian says
Thank you for leaving me a comment, Ash! I’m happy to hear from you! xo
marian says
Thank you everyone, for your lovely comments! xo
Andrea says
Regarding the dots falling off… Yes I do live in dry desert climate. Would I need to use a humidifier while decorating? The cookies are packaged and shipped within 36 hrs of decorating. BTW followed your rec. tutorial for packing and shipping and we have yet to have a broken cookie.
marian says
Hi Andrea,
Just guessing that it must be the dryness then. I wouldn’t use a dehumidifier in a dry dessert climate, no. Have you been using one?
So glad to hear that you’re experiencing success with the shipping method I posted! Yay!
Cate says
Those cloud cookies are so cute!
Definitely making some as soon as I have time.
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I love royal iced sugar cookies. So cute!
IFeelCook says
I LOVE these cookies, Marian. They are super cute, thanks for sharing all these cute pics!
Dina says
these are so cute!
Mimi says
These are so cute and remind me of the fluffly clouds I put everywhere in my paintings so I created a post on my site linking back to you: http://murielmoret.com/cinnamon-cloud-cookies/
Please let me know if anything violates any copyright or anything 😉
Thanks, mimi
marian says
Hi Mimi, 🙂
Thanks for linking to me and for sharing – I’m glad you like the cookies, and your art is adorable!
Stephanie says
These are so ridiculously cute I can barely stand it. I just adore cookies that are beautiful and perfect in their simplicity. I’m also partial to mini cookies on lollipop sticks so this hits the mark in every category for me. A treat for the eyes! And thanks for the recipe, it sounds delicious and just the kind of fun deviation from plain sugar that I’ve been looking for. 🙂 Love your blog!
marian says
I’m so glad you like them, Stephanie! Thanks!
buttercream bakehouse says
These are just as cute as can be and sound delicious too. Thanks for posting so many step by step photos. Cookie decorating has never been my thing but I do love to try.
Heather - Chickabug says
These happy cloud cookies are great! I love their cheeks! They are so cute! : )
Jen says
They are fantastic. Look too cute to eat.
Gina Marie says
All of your cookie designs are literally amazing! Trying to find my nitch in the pastry world is hard, but you are seriously my inspiration!
Afsheen saleem says
amazing… 😀
marian says
Thanks for all your comments, everyone! xo