Hello hello and welcome to my first post sharing my new favorite cookie decorating tools, the Pico projector and Arkon mount. For those of you familiar with my tutorial on the Kopykake projector, you’ll know that I’m not overly skilled at drawing, and I love to either trace (royal icing transfers) or use a projector to help me draw on cookies.
These nutcracker character designs aren’t too complicated, but using a projector to make decorating as easy as tracing the design, makes decorating easier for me.
So, what is a Pico projector? It’s a small, hand-held size projector that I use to project an image onto my cookie. It’s plugged into my iPad and mounted on this Arkon mount below. The mount is called the Remarkable Creators Phone and Tablet Stand, is $139.99 and you can get it on Arkon’s site here. You can get 20% off with the coupon code sweetopia. You should know I am an affiliate of Arkon and Amazon, but only share products I use and love with you.
The photo above has been brightened a bit, so I’m sharing another photo below without the brightening…you can see the projected image quite clearly, even at the brightest time of the day. The mount for the phone (above), by the way, is also an Arkon mount, and I use it to hold my phone if I’d like to video while I’m decorating on a cookie.
To use it, I just load the image in an app on my iPad called Camera-Lucida, rotate it 180 degrees (the image projects upside down), and I’m ready to go.
The projector comes on it’s own, and it’s key to have a good mount to hold it up. I love the Arkon mount… it’s sturdy with a solid base so I don’t need to clamp it to a table and can move it anywhere, it can easily be adjusted to project at any angle and the clamps which hold the projector and iPad are adjustable, snug and tight.
I’ll eventually share an in-depth tutorial showing the Pico projector and mount, but for now, if you’re interested in trying them out, here is what I use:
If the Pico is sold out, here are other mini, pocket-sized projectors
Arkon Remarkable Creators Phone and Tablet Stand (20% off with coupon code sweetopia)
Mini HDMI to HDMI cable (doesn’t come with the Pico projector)
Lightning to HDMI Adapter (Adapter for HDMI cable to attach to iPad)
Now onto the nutcracker cookies! These are sugar cookies decorated with royal icing. You can find other cut out cookie recipes here.
The decorating technique for this set of cookies is fairly straightforward, so I’ll share my basic tips in case you’re new to decorating, otherwise please feel free to ask me any questions in the comment section below.
Decorating Cookies
Find the cookie cutters I used here by clicking on each individual cutter below (Any links to Amazon in this post are affiliate links):
Cookie Cutters:
Rectangle Cookie Sticks (hand cut with a pizza cutter)
Decorating Items
What you’ll need:
- Piping Tips – PME #1.5, PME #2 and PME #3
- Piping Bags
- Couplers
- Gel paste colors
- Scribe Tool or Toothpicks
- Gold Disco Dust
- Frosting Sheets
- Small Snowflake Punch
- Transparency Paper
- Gold Luster Dust
- Black Edible Ink Marker
Royal Icing Consistency
The consistency of icing is key for easy decorating. Click here to see a YouTube video on finding the right icing thickness for basic flooding and decorating. I used different consistencies for some of the details of the cookies, and will explain according to each cookie below.
Cookie Decorating Basics
This video on outlining and flooding is a good place to start if you’re new to decorating cookies with royal icing. These cookie decorating basics YouTube videos may also be helpful to get you started. For each of the cookie designs below, I’ll share some additional details such as decorating techniques and design sources.
Meri Meri Nutcracker Characters
Thank you to Meri Meri for the Nutcracker character design! I found these adorable gift tags and couldn’t wait to make cookie replicas!
I made the characters as royal icing transfers, that way they could be taken off the cookie before the cookie is eaten… the gold disco dust is non-toxic, but not labelled as FDA edible. (For decoration only). Here are a few tutorials which involve royal icing transfers if you’re interested:
How to Do Royal Icing Flood Work or Run Outs
Marbling Technique – The Marbled Ornaments
Marbling I think is my favorite way to decorate! It’s easy and fun to play around with different designs!
Here is a how-to video for you on how to marble with royal icing on cookies.
Wavy Christmas Tree Decorated Cookie
You can see how I decorated this whimsical, wavy Christmas tree, in this video here.
Rocking Horse Cookie
Thank you to Shiori of Fiocco Icing Cookies and Arts for the adorable rocking horse cookie cutter and design!
Swan Cookies
Thank you to Anna of The Sweetest Tiers for the swan design inspiration!
I used the brush embroidery technique as wings for some of the swans, but others I left plain. Which do you prefer?
It may seem strange to be sharing holiday cookies this early, but the beautiful thing about cookies, is that they freeze really well. If you’d like to start baking and decorating early, click on the links to find posts on freezing cookies, thawing cookies and the shelf life of cookies.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten some details so please feel free to ask any questions below and thanks for visiting me here!
Happy baking and decorating!
xo,
Marian
niner @ ninerbakes.com says
You’ve outdone yourself again, Marian. Can you ever stop to create such cuteness?? haha this is ADORABLE, all of these cookies!! Amazing!
This projector is so so kool, too! It is like “the next best thing” compared to the previous years, we see how the digital world just keeps moving forward.
It is great you tried it out and showed us how it is done!
Love all your creations so much. God bless you!
niner
marian says
Thank you so much Niner! xoxoxo
Christina says
What is your icing recipe? Your cookies are amazing!!
marian says
Sorry for the delay, Christina, I had a bunch of Christmas gatherings this past week. Here is my icing recipe; https://sweetopia.net/2012/01/royal-icing-recipe-free-illustrated-recipe/
Merry Christmas!
Anthony ruiz says
Hey I am a pastry chef myself and I would love to but this pico projector with the stand to start decorating cookies. Another question I have is does it also work well on cakes too?
marian says
Hi Anthony,
Yes it does. You can adjust the image size and the height of the projector etc. Have fun decorating!
Rachel stear says
Hi! I would love to know how you sis the mint looking lollipop. I think the spiral circle one is straightforward, but I can’t see how you did the mint one. Did you drag the colors to d the marble effect? Thank you!
marian says
Hi Rachel,
Here is a smaller version of that; https://sweetopia.net/2016/11/video-how-to-decorate-christmas-cookies-simple-designs-for-beginners/ It is marbling, and can be seen on a smaller scale for the “mints” on the Christmas tree in that video. Hope that helps!
Maria Lennartz says
How amazing, beautiful art work again! Love all the designs! The Swan with the feathers are my favorite. The nutcracker is just perfectly done.
This projector is a very advanced tool! You are so talented and a great teacher! Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing it with us.
ML
marian says
Okay, good to know about the swan, thank you so much for your comments Maria!
Barb says
These are just stunning! For over a year I accidentally put my PICO in Japanese mode and couldn’t get it back to English. That was fun…trying to get the projection right…not!! And then one day it was back to English! Anyway, I love my PICO! Beautiful work as always, thank you for sharing!
marian says
Ha ha, I’ll make sure I don’t do that. Glad it’s working for you now!
Loris says
Marian they are just fantastic. You certainly have outdone yourself again. Very involved looking though. Well done!!
Marian says
Thanks so much Loris, I really appreciate your kind comment!
Courtney says
LOVE!!!!!
Definitely like the winged swan!
Marian says
Hi Courtney,
I’m impressed you read that in the post! Thanks for your feedback and comment, I appreciate it!
Karyn says
Are the nutcracker cookies transfers? Did you do them first then transfer them? Or did you do them directly on the cookie?
marian says
Hi Karyn,
Thanks! Yes the nutcracker characters are transfers. That way the person eating them can take off the transfer first… the gold disco dust is non-toxic but labelled as ‘for decoration only’.
Karyn says
They are so beautiful! Great job!
Sandy Dickson says
Absolutely stunning – as always!!! I’ve been thinking about purchasing a Pico, but haven’t quite taken the “purchase” step yet. This info. certainly helps!! I love the swans with feathers – they’re so delicate. Thank you for including so many details for those of us who aren’t as experienced as you!
marian says
Hi Sandy, thanks! Yes, the Pico isn’t a cheap cookie decorating tool, but I’ve been happy with my purchase. Thanks for the feedback on the swans and thanks for visiting me here! xo
Mercedes says
I love my Pico but that stand!!! One day. I have the regular stand that Amazon had is what I bought. It does the job fo now. I love this nutcracker set. I want to make them!
Mercedes says
BTW you do such an AMAZING job in everything you do!
Marian says
Thanks Mercedes! I appreciate the comment and continued happy decorating to you!
Jennifer says
Thank you for sharing! Did the sweetopia code expire? It won’t accept it on the Arkon site. Thank you in advance!
marian says
I will email them right away, thank you for letting me know!
marian says
Hi Jennifer,
Here is the email response I received from Arkon:
“Yes, your coupon code is still active at 20% discount in 2019.
Please ask your blog reader friend what device they were using (if a phone, please tell me the specific model). I’m guessing if the person clears their browser history / cache, the code will work for them. Or, if they try ordering from their laptop or PC, that too might solve the problem.
Please see if you can get more information about the device they were using so I can forward to our ISP for troubleshooting.”
I will send you an email so that you don’t need to share your device information here. Chat soon!
marian says
Hi again Jennifer,
Thanks for letting me know via email that it worked!
Tamara says
Thanks for the info on the Pico projector and stand. I am ordering this weekend. Is this the correct cable for an IPad —- Mini HDMI to HDMI Cable, Rankie 6 Feet High-Speed Mini-HDMI to HDMI Cable (Black)
by Rankie?
Love your cookies. You are very talented.
marian says
Hi Tamara,
I’m not sure about brand, sorry! I know that I had to buy an adapter for the iPad connector (in my list above) and the cable has to be a MINI HDMI to a REGULAR HDMI connection. Hope that helps!
Tina says
Lovely cookies! I would love to see a tutorial on the PICO and the nutcracker cookies. Thinking I may make this set for my daughter 1st bday. XOXO
marian says
Thanks so much Tina! xo
Jacqueline Bartolotta says
Does your Pico projector die on you while using even if the charger is connected? I’m having this problem. What would you recommend to prevent this from happening?
marian says
Hi Jacqueline,
No, I’m sorry, mine doesn’t die when plugged in. If there’s a way to contact the maker of the projector, I would try. Sorry that’s not more helpful!
tiff says
Hi Marian, I’m supposed to be hunting for info on keeping royal icing transfers from sinking in the middle but I got totally distracted by this post and all of your amazing skills! Thank you for your tips here. So, do you have any tips for ways to keep the middle of royal transfer balloons from sinking? And how do you make that amazing blue red in your post above? TIA!!!!
marian says
Hi Tiff,
Funny you should ask that! I’m still working the kinks out on the poofy issue, experimenting… there are a lot of factors but I’m thinking a few things help:
1) thicker icing consistency rather than a runny flood.
2) putting the cookies in a dehumidifier to set, not totally dry though. It seems if they dry faster, the issue happens less. I noticed this because in the summer, when the air is often more humid where I live, the issue happens more when drying at room temperature. In the winter, when I have the heat on and the air is drier, the dipping issue seems to happen less. You could try a reeeally low oven temp if you don’t have a dehumidifier or a fan.
3) piping some thicker icing in lines or squiggles across the surface of your cookie (i.e. if you’re using a thicker icing to outline, use that and put a few “icing support” squiggles in the area that usually dips.
That’s it for now! I’m still experimenting, so not ready to write a blog post, but I’d really, really appreciate it if you find some solutions, if you would come back and share please. xo
Oh and LOTS of coloring (unfortunately), to make the deep red and navy blue.
tiff says
Thank you for these ideas! I just did the piping squiggle under the balloons and some of them cratered overnight. (Argh!) I’m using 15-second icing. Do you think 20 is better? I will try the dehydrator idea. My oven has that setting so why not try that?
I hadn’t thought about the season instigating this. Great insight.
marian says
I just experimented with a new batch, with squiggles, some without, and different consistency icings. The 20 second icing did the trick. The 15 second still sunk juuust a bit. I used a fan on them, not a dehydrator this time. The dehydrator will be another batch experiment…. trying 15 and 20 second icing, squiggles and dehydrator.
Thanks for sharing and please continue to update me on your quest too 😉
Danette Riddle says
I love these cookies – so super cuteness. Question: Are you recommending removing the transfers prior to eating b/c of the disco dust? I have not told cookie recipients to remove transfers before.
marian says
Hi Danette,
Yes, that’s exactly it.
Cynthia says
Desperate for these Nutcracker themed cookies. Do you take orders or know where I can have them made? Hosting a nutcracker themed baby shower and they would be perfect!