Do a test cookie. I've never dropped cut-outs.

I did test cookies

I meant do a test cookie with the drop method.

You could try cutting back on your leavening a bit -- not sure if it is baking soda or powder in your recipe. The number of eggs can also impact rise in cookies, so fewer or smaller might have less puff -- but you want enough to help keep the cookie together. And don't forget to compensate for the wet ingredients if you reduce by an egg or half. Or use smaller eggs.

You are such a diligent planner and rehearser!

One technique that is helpful to me is to think about allowing the icing ( or melted chocolate which I use for writing) to fall like a string from the tip (as opposed to trying to draw as with a pencil). It will find its own way and lay nicely.

Oh wow! Your practice round would be wrapped up an given as gifts in my world.

Lesson 6. To avoid wobbly lines, no vodka until after the decorating. lol!

YUM! I think doing the wreaths as appliqués is a great idea. And, yes, I zoomed in. 😎

Good advice, Kitch! I’d add caffeine to that list too! I suppose that leaves out the espresso martinis. HA!

LOL the vodka is for gold dust ladies.

Yeah...piping is an art. It takes lots or practice.......it's been at least 20 years since I piped anything.

I was never good at it --- I am not in the slightest bit artistic. But I do know that practice is key. I also forgot that i used to practice on parchment, not on cookies! I have some work ahead of me

Like njmomma, I think they are perfect and would be called done in my house!

Actually in my house, the decorating would be left to DH. I bake, he adorns. He's artistic. I am not. I don't even bother to try and put the cocoa on the tiramisu. He's good at it and I just have him do it.

Mtn, I thought of your project when I saw this article. There is a link in the below article with cookie directions. The cookies are called ”Doors of Charleston.” Super cute!

https://www.southernliving.com/holiday-mahogany-cake-11846489

@mtnrdredux_gw, I don’t know where you are on your cookie project but this might be helpful info. I was reading a recipe on Sally’s Baking Addiction for sugar cookies made with raspberry powder. In order to keep the shape of the cut-out cookie, the recipe called for rolling out the dough, then chilling it for 2 hours to 2 days. Do not cut the shapes until after the dough is chilled.

Yes, for cut out cookies I always chill the rolled dough before cutting, and then chill the cookies after they are cut out. It was only with this (new to me) gingerbread recipe that I got cookies that were sometimes a tad puffy. I have a new batch of dough ready to cut, and don't have time to experiment with leavening so will just live with it for now.

Sweet of you to think of me!

Add me to the list of those who think your cookies are already perfect. It would be an understatement to say your attention to detail is impressive!

I was looking for something else and found this at Anthropologie-beaded table runner.

So cute! I am having trouble because I cannot create a wreath small enough to fit on my front door. Arggh

Can you just do a wreath shape out of plain dough, like a little doughnut and encrust it with green sprinkles/candies. Or cut little shapes from fondant and shape them into a circle with a red bow? Or a combo? These are all from etsy; not sure what sources you have near you, or your timeline:

Or maybe make rosemary wreaths by tying a fresh sprig into a circle, or even a swag?

Green dough cut-outs baked with a piece of a wood bbq skewer in the middle.

What about a dot of green on wax paper, use the head of a pin (like one that is a ball) that has butter on it or something, push down in the middle to make an indentation. Chill it and put a dot of ginger colored icing in the depression, spread it with the pin and chill it again, and pick it up with a little knife and drop it into place. Easy right? o(0-0)o

A cheerio piped with icing?

Yours would need to be smaller than these, just sharing the technique:

https://www.tiktok.com/@sofiaviolan/video/7573777784363879702

Her whole account is so mesmerizing to me.

Don’t make yourself crazy trying to do it all

I think it will make the whole cookies look store bought, so I am not going that route. I know I am crazy, just ask myfamily

😂

The cheerio idea is a great option

Have you tried royal icing transfers? You can buy them or make them by piping onto paper (parchment -- can curl on you) or plastic (longer to dry). You can draw or print out the size you need to follow. You let them dry, then peel off and place on wet icing or use a little more icing to glue into place.

If you have time to order, Etsy has a number of listings - this one will lead to more.

I once used a lifesaver gummy as a wreath on a gingerbread house, but that might be too large for a cookie (I can't remember if they are the same size or larger than a hard candy lifesaver).

A white mint lifesaver or white chocolate disk decorated with green icing and sprinkles.

The green iced (or dipped) cheerio idea would have me checking out the cereal aisle and end caps to see if there were some already green option in the cereal.

Green licorice - either a lace made into a loop or use twists and make slices -- you can make red bows from reg licorice or gummy candy. Don't try to be too literal -- just the general shape - or stay with the sprinkles or a simple green wreath. Sometimes less is more.

Have you tried royal icing transfers?

yes, that is what i have been workin on - but not bought ones

This is not a bad idea

I think they have green fruit loops. My kids will die if they see fruit Loops in the cabinet!

I have used edible images printed on rice paper but not such a tiny image. The cutting out would be more tedious than piping a wreath of royal icing using either a tiny star tip, or you could pipe with a disposable bag and a small opening as you are already using and simply pipe a loopy circle. For your level of uniformity and perfection, print lots of appropriately small circles on one piece of paper, overlay with parchment or plastic wrap (cello is perfect), then pipe away, and glue onto the church door when firm.

• print lots of appropriately small circles on one piece of paper,

I did order a template fro Etsy for this... off to get Cello (?)

I had thought of Lifesavers and then saw the gummies when I googled. The ones I saw looked like they were sugared, which could resemble snow. But I think the gummies are bigger than the regular ones and even the regulars might be too big.

The cheerio idea is a great option

Froot Loops come in green.

I guess I completely misunderstand the size of these cookies because I think a piece of cereal or a life saver would be much too large. (?)

It would need to be pretty flat too, like a Necco wafer.

Mtn, if you resort to fruit loops, see if your store sells the individual portion cups so you don't have to buy a large box. Though, if you need 2 or more cups, a box might cost about the same or less. You can get marshmallows and make krispie treats. Sugar load, but not worse than many other things this time of year.

I wonder if rolling out a mint leaf gumdrop or saltwater taffy would work. Green M&Ms? Pull and peel green twizzler strands to make a circle?

Agree @Kswl, the commitment is impressive and inspiring!

Mtn, sorry if I missed it, but why don't you want to pipe the wreaths?

Daisy, I think that's where she started but found getting the size or definition she wanted to be a challenge in the size needed. Transfers would be piped -- or there are ones printed on transfer sheets. Some bakeries and Etsy sellers will make a sheet of transfers for you since most people don't have a printer dedicated to edible ink.

Thanks, lascatx. That makes sense. I've just piped some myself and think they look okay, but my standards are pretty low ;-)

The circle isn't the hard part -- it is probably wanting to make it look more wreath like with leafy details or decorations. I'm taking a break from my cookie baking marathon -- over 1000 cookies for "cookie party" on Thursday. I'm glad I am not planning anything so detailed.

over 1000 cookies for "cookie party" on Thursday

OMG! That is craz-ee. Crazier than me, even!

I feel I owe y'all an update. While I have been dithering about details, my cookies have ... gone stale. I am dying here, just dying. My DD had one yesterday that was deemed aesthetically unacceptable, and let me know I had a BIGGER problem.

I am a bit out of practice on this endeavour and forgot they should have been stored in the freezer whilst I was experimenting. Sigh...

Yikes! That is so disheartening. Do you have time/patience/wherewithal for a do-over or are you going to tuck away the cookie cutter until next year?

I may have time, if I suspend all other activities.

😱 all that work, so sorry to hear that.

Oh no! So sorry to hesr.

Oh no! I hope you can join my cookie marathon (in spirit at least) and pull it off.

When my son started teaching at this middle school, he had very little money for his program and very much needed a good fundraiser so he could keep the activity fees low enough to not be a problem for some of the students (his school is about 50-52% free or reduced lunch, which qualifies for Title one status but isn't so designated by the district.). Cookie party was born as a kid friendly motivator to bring in donations. In the past, we had cookie party and elevated cookie party with more kinds of cookies if they reached a higher total. The lower tier is now a popcorn party and cookie party gets bigger every year - his choir program has doubled in size since he started there. He has 170 students so I make at least 180 cookies and try to have 5 or 6 varieties, plus I've made 2 for the PTO and faculty luncheon so far. Then I can bake for family Christmas. This is the first time cookie party has lined up with the winter holidays. OMG

Omigosh, are they frosted? If not, put them in a 150°-200° oven, turn off the heat immediately and let them dry out and freshen up. They will be fine. I would still try it if they are frosted, lower temp. Nothing to lose.

WOw, that is wonderful of you @lascatx!

Oly, they are iced

Have been sending my virtual support and wondering how it's going. Hope you have been able to do a redo and that 2.0 is even better.

My cookiethon ended before midnight Wednesday and Cookie Party happened yesterday as well as a teacher luncheon with additional cookies. Cookies and poinsettias everywhere (they had a poinsettia sale for a fundraiser).