Paintbrush Cookies Redux Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Can you paint cookies with food coloring? ›

For painting the cookies

In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp of lemon extract and 10-12 drops of gel food coloring. Stir well to combine (the two won't combine completely, but that's ok). Repeat this for each color of food coloring that you have.

Put 1 teaspoon corn syrup and 1/4 teaspoon water into each of 4 different custard cups. Tint each of the four mixtures with food coloring. Stir each well. Paint the unbaked cookies before baking using a small paintbrush.

Gently blend color into dough using stand mixer paddle attachment, or knead in by hand. Stop to check the color. If it is too light, add a little more color and continue mixing until desired shade is reached. Tint dough a little darker than you would tint icing; cookies will bake lighter than dough appears.

My favorite method is purchasing done-for-you edible paint. If you don't want to order, I recommend using the gel-food-coloring method. Option 1: Cookie Countess Paint Palette. This is my preferred option for painting cookies.

Start with cookies that have been flooded with royal icing and the royal icing is completely hard & dry. Add a few drops vodka to a small bowl or dish and then add a drop or two of gel food coloring. Mix with your brush and blot off the excess paint. You're ready to start painting!

The moisture contributed by the milk will also increase spread and hydrate more of the starches in the flour. These hydrated (gelatinized) starches support the structure of the air pocket wall, keeping the cookies from collapsing once cooled. By holding more water, they also help keep the cookies softer over time.

The most likely benefit of adding water to your cookie dough is to help hydrate the batter. If your dough looks dry after mixing (especially when using browned butter), adding a tablespoon or two of water could be just what your dough needs to prevent a dry, crumbly cookie.

This simplest kitchen hack you'll ever love!

If you bake too many cookies (as if there is such a thing!) and are concerned about them going stale, just add a slice of white bread to the storage container to keep them from hardening.

Easy Add-In: After creating the dough according to the sugar cookie mix instructions, Add 2 tablespoons of sour cream to create a tangier, cakier and all-around more flavorful cookie. Flavor Twist: For a punchier twist, swap the water in the sugar cookie mix instructions for rum, bourbon or coffee liqueur.

Cookies usually call for 1 to 2 eggs. Subbing in mashed banana or applesauce will be acceptable, but the overall texture will likely be cakier. Flavor could be altered, depending on the substitute used.

What food coloring is best for painting cookies? ›

soft gel pastes. First and foremost, I use soft gel pastes food coloring exclusively for cookie decorating. Craft stores usually carry the more accessible concentrated pastes. Both work well and in much the same way and both come in a huge variety of colors.

Painting with Food Coloring

The best coloring to use for edible food paint is gel food coloring. This allows you to add concentrated color that pops. Food gel coloring comes in many colors. I suggest getting a variety pack if you are just getting started.

So, it's not only a good paint for watercolor paper but also dirt cheap. I only used one drop of food coloring color per color. You can mix colors too. The blue and yellow made a wonderful bright green.

Once the sugar cookies are iced and dry, you simply mix a small amount of gel food coloring with a clear liquor. I prefer vanilla vodka, but really, you can use any type of clear liquor. (Sidenote: If you would prefer to not use alcohol, you can try clear vanilla extract.)