Anniversary Photo Cookies

/11 May 2010

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I was a little nervous doing these…and before you get nervous too, please relax.

I had done a little research after I was asked to make these cookies to make sure I would be able to do them before agreeing. I have a problem with that sometimes…agreeing to things I have never done, saying, “oh yes, absolutely” while in the back of my mind thinking…”hmmm, probably? maybe?”

It usually works out ok. I mostly know my limitations. Mostly.

“Sure, I can do 860 cookies for you.”

Not always rational, but a can-do attitude is a good thing, yes?

So, when my neighbor asked if I could make photo cookies I thought, “hmmm, maybe?”, but what actually came out was, “Yes, of course. No problem”.

After delusionally agreeing, I racked my brain for weeks, wondering: If? How? Why?

I did research…read Bridget’s blog for tips, Bakerella’s, and then finally Janet’s site.

I had just collaborated with Janet on our Spring Blog Hop, so I felt comfortable asking her how to do the edible images on cookies.

She was a lifesaver! She emailed me a nice long note with all the do’s and don’ts.

It was invaluable.

Most importantly, though she told me to relax.

This is what I urge you to do…relax…you too can do it! Trust me!

After getting the picture, I took it to my local supermarket bakery and asked if they could print the photo on frosting sheets for cookies. The 16 year old behind the counter reluctantly agreed.

At $8 a sheet it is an investment. If I decided to do more edible image cookies I would consider getting a printer of my own.

The sheets were easy to work with…they printed multiple images on each 8×11 sheet, so I cut them to size right before I was ready to use them.

Don’t take them out of the ziplock bag until then, though, because they dry out and break easily, so cut them to size immediately.

After you cut them to size you have a window, I would say less than 30 minutes to use them. Which is enough time.

Just do them in batches.

I outlined my cookie, flooded it and placed the image on. Since my photo didn’t take up the entire cookie, I found outlining the cookie was necessary. The image sticks to the flooded icing easily.

I let them dry overnight and then piped on some icing to add the coarse sugar detail and the dots.

I let them then dry another overnight and it was perfect.

60 cookies later, I was done!

I, honestly, can’t wait to do more. Now that I have the hang of it, it would be a breeze!

I bagged and tied with a ribbon that my neighbor had made for the occasion.
I, also, will tell you I tried the “frosting sheets” to see how they tasted…ummm, yuck.
I was a little worried about the taste, because I really pride myself in making not only cute cookies, but yummy ones too. BUT I made a few extra cookies and tried one..you know, just to test…and the icing sheets literally melt into the frosting leaving no taste behind except frosting and cookie.

They were yummy!
Email me if you have any specific questions about the how to’s!

Royal Icing

42 Responses

Pink Little Cake
May 11, 2010 at 3:19 pm
They turn out great. I do have a problem saying always yes, and then figuring out how I am actually going to do the project.
Dream It Up Cookies
May 11, 2010 at 3:24 pm
They look great! I love that feeling after you do something new and scary, and it comes out awesome!
Ingrid
May 11, 2010 at 3:54 pm
VERY nice and very ambitious! 🙂 I'm struggling just to make simple cut out sugar cookies and your whipping out ones with photos on them. LOL, great job Shelly!
~ingrid
Rebecca
May 11, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Those are adorable! Great job! Now you have an excuse to make these for weddings, showers, birthdays, etc. Endless possibilities!
Kristan
May 11, 2010 at 4:17 pm
How cute are these?! I have been dying to get one of those printers for myself ever since I saw the vintage Valentines cookies Bakerella did. You did an awesome job!!
Mimi
May 11, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Of course they look fantastic, I love the sugar detail.
Mimi
Erin
May 11, 2010 at 5:04 pm
These are wonderful – and what a treasure. I bet everyone loved them!
How fun would this idea be for a birthday party!
GrapeSugar
May 11, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Gorgeous! I love the sparkling sugar frame!!
The Mixing Bowl
May 11, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Very cute and impressive!
Joanne
May 11, 2010 at 6:03 pm
These are such a unique idea and would be lovely as wedding favors or anniversary party cookies! I am so impressed that you pulled them off!
Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes]
May 11, 2010 at 6:36 pm
These look pretty amazing!! I'd love for the do's and dont's as well.. I've always been intimidated of this!
grace
May 11, 2010 at 6:45 pm
These are so wonderful! I'm sure they were a huge hit at the anniversary.
a little bit of everything
May 11, 2010 at 6:58 pm
The cookies are fabulous – the anniversary couple must have loved them!
Bridgett
May 11, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Wow, these are wonderful and would make a perfect gift.
trooppetrie
May 11, 2010 at 8:46 pm
I wonder how these would ship. My anniversary is in a couple months and i would love to send some to my husband.
bridget {bake at 350}
May 11, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I love these wedding cookies!!! They're so cute on the circle with the dots and sparkle!
I actually broke down and bought one. An Epson that is compatible with the "ink." I just mailed off my first batch yesterday and they were pretty cute. Talk about EASY!!! I'm making more for kiddo's soccer game on Saturday. We have snacks and I am NOT making another soccer ball…I can't do it! the hexagons break me every time!!!
PS…so glad you get nervous after saying "yes," too. 😉
Kristie Maynard
May 11, 2010 at 9:28 pm
How wonderful they turned out!!! What a fun favor for the occasion.
animeshon
May 11, 2010 at 10:34 pm
These look amazing! And thank you so much for some tips on using the edible images. I've been wanting to buy a set-up for a while now but I'm trying to find a consistent supplier for the ink that doesn't charge huge amounts for shipping to NZ 🙁
Sue Sparks
May 11, 2010 at 11:07 pm
These look fabulous! I have done photo cookies a couple of times…very fun:) I'm sure the anniversary couple loved them!
Teanna
May 11, 2010 at 11:57 pm
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! I once had to make 2500 cookies. NEVER AGAIN. NEVER EVER EVER. And they didn't look anywhere NEAR as good as your cookies!
Leslie
May 12, 2010 at 1:16 am
WONDERFUL JOB!!! My theory is to say YES and figure out how to do it later!!!
Debbie
May 12, 2010 at 2:41 am
You are GENIUS I have been trying to find out how to do a picture on cookies and this is it! Anyway you could send me the do's and dont's?
grace
May 12, 2010 at 10:04 am
i think that more often than not, the best advice in any given situation is RELAX! these cookies are a work of art, from the base goodies themselves to the sprinking of sugar around the image to the actual image. bravo!!
Amy
May 12, 2010 at 10:15 am
Amazing job!!!
Tracy
May 12, 2010 at 12:28 pm
They turned out wonderful!!
I run for cake!
May 12, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Those photo cookies turned out so cute! I can't believe you made 860 cookies for Halloween…you are truly amazing, they all looked great!
betchacanteatjustone
May 12, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Wow, these are fantastic and would be perfect for so many occasions!
Raina
May 12, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Beautiful cookies. Great information on the frosting sheets. Thanks!
Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com}
May 12, 2010 at 3:19 pm
They came out great! Love the details you added. It's nice to hear when the project is done that you want to do more. Not all projects go that way!
Ruth Rogers
May 12, 2010 at 9:20 pm
These are too cute. You are very very talented. I'm so excited that I ran across your blog
Monica H
May 13, 2010 at 2:21 am
When I saw these, I immediately thought of Janet. She is a sweetheart, isn't she? love her.
And these cookies are too cute- you did a great job on them. I never thought to go to the grocery store bakery to get the sheets printed, but they do them all the time.
Cookie Sleuth
May 13, 2010 at 4:04 am
Very cute! Our wedding anniversary is this week. Maybe I can just do a few…
maryjopoole
May 14, 2010 at 3:30 am
So cute! But please tell me, how do you get your "dots" so perfectly round? Mine always come out with a point on top. I need help! Thanks!
cookies and cups
May 14, 2010 at 11:42 am
Thanks everyone for the sweet comments!
I will try and put together a nice list of do's and don'ts!
maryjo-too funny about the dots. I have found that I can make them without the point if I thin my icing just a teeny-tiny bit. It it's not as stiff it won't peak as much, and relax into a nice dot 🙂
Eliana
May 14, 2010 at 4:42 pm
These are so beautiful. You are incredibly talented.
Cinnamon-Girl
May 15, 2010 at 1:58 am
You did a beautiful job on them! I bet everyone loved them. Thanks for showing us how to make them.
Natalie...
May 15, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Aw wow what a nice idea, these are beautiful! Youre so creative!
Shauna from Piece of Cake
May 15, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Good Lord, you are so amazing! These are so beautiful.
Molly
May 15, 2010 at 6:23 pm
These are fantastic! I didn't realize that you could get the frosting sheets printed at the bakery. Even though it's expensive, it's good to know! Thanks for all the info – and good job on the cookies!
Julie
May 16, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Those are so awesome…too pretty to eat!
Rosabela
May 18, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful cookie than this. Wow! You did a MARVELOUS job, Shelley. Kuddos to you.
Tammy
January 28, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Holy Moly! So happy that I ran into your site. These would be perfect for my Mom and Dad’s 50th anniversary coming up. I just need to tell myself that I can do this….maybe hee! hee!
How many days in advance did you make these?
Thanks so much!