Colorful, happy, bright and whimsical… Aptly named Bonheur (the French word for happiness), today’s Christmas cookies were inspired by my beautiful new quilt and bedding from Brunelli.
I’d been searching for this very color combination and pretty look for quite some time, for our guest room bedding, and was delighted to come across Brunelli quilts in a local shop, and was happy to see an even wider selection on their site. Brunelli is a Canadian company established in Quebec which has been creating, importing and distributing bedding products for nearly 20 years. Important to know is that Brunelli sells exclusively to retailers across Canada, so check with their “Find a retailer” form to see where you can find their products as well.
Besides gorgeous quilts, duvet covers, sheets, curtains and more lovely home decor, Brunelli sells hypo allergenic duvets, which I thought important to have for our guests. A few members of our families have feather allergies, and I’m happy to report that the bedding has been perfect for them. Now all we need is a headboard, some side tables I’m still looking around for, and I’ll share the rest of the room renovations with you.
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Colorful Christmas Cookies
I feel I should give you a little warning {grin}, lots of swirly lines and bright colors below.
The icing colors and tree designs were also inspired by DCWV scrapbooking paper I found at Michael’s this season. I couldn’t find a link for you on line, but the theme is called Jolly Whimsy, if you’d like to check it out. {Instagram photo below}.
The cookies are fairly simple designs easy to create for the new cookie decorator.
If you’re new to cookie decorating, I’ll share some starter links for you here, and you’re welcome to check out my video section, FAQ’s and tutorials.
A good royal icing is important, and I’ve experiment quite a bit to find my favorite recipe.
Next, royal icing consistency makes a difference. If you’d like a smooth look, here’s a video on how I find the consistency.
If you’re a visual learner like I am, you might like this video on how to outline and fill your cookie with icing.
A common question I hear – “How do you let your iced cookies dry?”. Here’s a video for you on that too.
And lastly, another common question, “How far ahead can I decorate my cookies”, is answered here.
Notes on these cookies:
A few notes about the cookies here… the swirls are easy enough to pipe if you know a few key tips. Find those hints here.
The stars are made of fondant cut out with a small star cutter, and coated in disco dust. Important to note is that disco dust is considered non-toxic, but for food decorative purposes only. Make sure your gingerbread cookie recipients know to remove the disco dust items on the ones which have it.
And last but not least, these cookies are gingerbread (my Christmas favorite!), and the recipe can be found here.
You may be able to tell with all the photos, that I had a great time playing around with icing swirls and all the playful designs. I hope you have fun decorating too, and join me in the comment section below if you have any questions or comments!
xo,
Marian
Gail says
Marian, those tall, modern tree cutters are beautiful. Where did you get them?
marian says
I know, I love them… They’re from Ecrandal.com
Asmita says
Hi Marian,
Lovely as always. Happy Holidays!
marian says
Happy holidays to you as well, Asmita! xo
Esther Dares says
Marion, you are an inspiration to all of us. I am happy you are in my life.
marian says
Aww, Esther, and I’m happy you’re in *mine*! Maybe one day I’ll actually make it out east. 🙂
Kevin @ Closet Cooking says
Those holiday cookies look amazing!
marian says
Thanks, Kevin!
Patti says
Marina, CookieQueenExtraordinaire, LOVING your modern twist trees and ALL the cookies! Just beautiful! You do swirl lines like a CHAMPION!!!!!!! 🙂
Hugs and Happy Holidays,Patti
marian says
Patti, you are so cute! Thanks for visiting me here and happy holidays to you! xo
Julie @ Table for Two says
beautiful, beautiful, as always, Marian!!
Maria Theresia says
oh my… so beautiful! I love them all.
you are the most amazing,hard working decorater!
have a wonderful week.
ML
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
So cute Marian!!
Aimee Wimbush-Bourque says
These might be some of my favourite cookies of yours -ever! Loving the whimsical colours. And that bedding is adorable!
Maria says
So pretty!
Julie S says
I love the trees! What colour of green did you use?
marian says
Hi Julia,
It’s avocado green by Americolor.
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
Marian, you always inspire me! These are absolutely gorgeous. (=
Pamela Cassidy says
Hi Marian, These cookies are beautiful! Where did you get the adorable swaying christmas tree cutters? Love them!
marian says
Hi Pamela,
The tree cutter is from Ecrandal.com, here is the link; http://stores.ecrandal.com/wavy-tree/
Elizabeth says
The edges on your cookies are flawless. Do you bake your cookies in a sheet pan and THEN use the cookie cutters?
marian says
Hi Elizabeth,
No, I cut them out and chill, then bake. These tips help too:
https://sweetopia.net/2011/04/top-8-tips-on-preventing-cookies-from-spreading/
Dot says
These are soooo stinking cute Marian! Merry Christmas 🙂
marian says
Thanks Dot! You toooo! xo
niner // ninerbakes.com says
“Colorful, happy, bright and whimsical”
Ohhh yes!
LOVE these cookies, Marian!!
Definitely HAPPY cookies in my opinion, they would make anybody happy!
Love the tree cookie with the snow..I love “dripping” snow on cookies or cake pops…Absolutely wonderful!
The bedding…SO cute, wish we had Brunelli over here in Germany.
Thanks for such a happy post, missie.
XOXO,
niner 🙂
marian says
Thanks so much, Niner! Maybe one day you can visit and stay over – the guest bedroom Brunelli bedding will be yours! 😉
ROSA MARY FEIJOO says
GRACIAS POR TANTAS BELLEZAS, GRACIAS POR GUIARNOS POR UNA NAVIDAD HERMOSA Y DELICIOSA… MUCHAS BENDICIONES Y MIS DESEOS SINCEROS DE UN GRAN AÑO 2014 ♥ ¡¡¡ ROSA MARY ¡¡¡
marian says
Gracias Rosa!
Penni says
My daughter has Bonheure too! Where did you get the striped duvet cover? Do you have the brand and name? Thanks! Your cookies are beautiful!
marian says
Hi Penni! The striped duvet cover is from Pottery Barn and it’s right here:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-classic-stripe-400-thread-count-duvet-cover-sham-blue/?pkey=cstriped-duvet-covers-shams&cm_src=striped-duvet-covers-shams||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
Roshini says
Love them all. So cute as always
Vicki Taylor says
Marian:
You were one of the first cookie blogs I visited when I started out a few years ago……….you know you are in the presence of a truly gifted person when as you progress through your craft you are still inspired by your original “teacher”. I think you and Callye will always be mine.
marian says
Thanks Roshini!
And VIcki, thanks for the “awwww, so nice” warm fuzzy. 😉
marla says
Such beautiful Christmas cookies & I LOVE that bedding.
Jenny H. says
Love, love, love those cookies!
They are absolutely beautiful and might be my favourite christmas winter design!
Especially the trees with the swirls! Oh so cute!
Might try them out tomorrow, if there’s time!
Thanks for another great post!
Jenny
Ruth de cabrera says
Hi marian i love your cookie desingns they are gorgeous. I wonder how you avoid bubbles when doing lines or small drops; i use the stencil with drops but they always turn out with a hole in the middle and i dont know what to do with the outlines because sometimes they also have the same holes problem. Also what can I do with the color red to avoid tresspassing the white one i use Ateco.
Thanks in advance marian i hope you can help me with those questions
marian says
Hi Ruth,
Make your icing a bit thicker for the dots or drops, and I have a few posts on the “crater” issue if you’d like to see:
https://sweetopia.net/2012/09/how-to-help-get-rid-of-air-or-bubbles-in-royal-icing/
(More links there).
For red icing and the bleeding issue, here is a post for you:
https://sweetopia.net/2009/10/how-to-prevent-your-icing-from-bleeding-7-tips/
https://sweetopia.net/2011/07/how-to-avoid-spots-on-icing/
xo
Ruth de cabrera says
Thank you marian!
Ray says
Hello, first I want to say your Christmas cookies look great! How long in advance do you start to make these cookies and what do you do to keep them fresh?
Thank you for in advance for you reply.
marian says
Hi Ray,
Some posts for you:
Shelf life of cookies:
https://sweetopia.net/2012/02/how-long-do-decorated-cookies-stay-fresh-what-is-the-shelf-life-of-decorated-cookies/
Drying cookies:
https://sweetopia.net/2012/01/video-how-to-dry-cookies-decorated-with-royal-icing/
Valerie says
I contacted ecrandal about the small wavy cookie cutter. They said it’s not theirs. It’s the one that looks like it belongs in Who Land. Do you know where it came from, I can’t find one anywhere.
marian says
Hi Valerie,
I’m sorry, I don’t know where it’s from if it’s not ecrandal. It’s a copper cutter and the two companies I’ve purchased from which sell that material in cutters are Ecrandal and Coppergifts… Neither have the tree listed right now. I’ll come back and let you know when I find out where it can be purchased!
marian says
Hi Valerie,
Update: it is from ecrandal; they have the link up now; http://stores.ecrandal.com/wavy-tree/
Liz Ogilvie says
Was looking for some inspiration for Christmas designs and came across your cookies. Stunning as always! Would you mind if I attempted to copy them? Would love to do them as platters for a few of our family gatherings over the Christmas period.
marian says
Absolutely no problem Liz, have fun making them! xo