I love any decorations that involve cookies or give me an excuse to bake. I've been dreaming of making a cookie wreath and was so happy to create such a fun project.
I decided to make the wreath and cookies out of gingerbread cookie dough so that it would smell especially Christmasey. I used this recipe (minus the black pepper) for the dough. And this recipe for the icing. Here's how I made my wreath:
I cut out the shape of a wreath using a mixing bowl for the outer circle and a cereal bowl for the inner circle, using the rims as an easy guide for my knife. I baked the wreath (as indicated in the recipe) until it was really hard, but not burned. After it was completely cooled, I covered the wreath in green icing, and sprinkled it with Wilton light green sugar sprinkles. At this point, the wreath needs to sit for several hours until the icing is completely hardened.
In the meantime, I baked my cookies (I chose two different sizes of stars) and prepared the icing. I added a few Tablespoons of cold water to the icing to make it almost drizzley (just not runny to where it can't keep it's shape. See images of icing below). I divided the icing and colored each batch the colors I'd be using for this project. I spooned the different icing colors into Wilton squeeze bottles, and a tiny squeeze bottle I found at Daiso. (The tiny squeeze bottle wasn't necessary, but I love teeny things, so why not?)
To ice the cookies, I used a technique called "flooding" where you outline the area and then "flood" it with the icing. It's such a fun technique that makes cookies look really impressive.
Step 1) Outline cookie:
Step 2) Flood the cookie, using the same icing. You can use the tip of the squeeze bottle to help spread it around if necessary:
Step 3) Add dots by squeezing contrasting dots of icing onto the icing already on the cookie. (The icing dots will sink in together and all be flush after a few minutes):
Step 4) Allow cookies to dry completely (This will take several hours, but time really depends on how much icing is used).
Step 5) Attach cookies to wreath using the icing as glue. Let sit for 24 hours or until really hard.
I hung my wreath directly onto a nail, however, this will only work if the wreath is really hard. The wreath can also be hung by attaching a colorful ribbon and hanging it from the ribbon, or simply display it on a shelf, ledge, or window sill. Better yet, if you're looking for a cheery holiday centerpiece, this is just the ticket!
Hi
I am from Australia, love the stars! Just wondering what kind of dye did you use, is it edicol or powder?
Mant Thanks
Angela
Posted by: Angela | May 15, 2011 at 03:30 AM
Those look awesome and delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe! =)
Posted by: Fat Burning Furnace Review | July 02, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Lovely! How do you prevent your icing colors from "bleeding" or running together? Thanks!
Posted by: Heather | January 28, 2010 at 01:20 PM
Completely gorgeous! Wow.
Posted by: Life with Kaishon | December 29, 2009 at 01:21 PM
What an awesome idea! thanks for the tutorial style post! can't wait to try it next year.
Posted by: kristyn | December 28, 2009 at 04:19 PM
I hope I find the time to make the wreath before Christmas! What a unique idea! I'm giving my 2 sisters "COUPONS" to come see you in Spokane in June for Christmas presents! I know they will love them as we missed it last year! Merry Christmas.
God Bless,
Shannon Weaver
Posted by: Shannon Weaver | December 22, 2009 at 07:58 PM
That looks so cute! My kids would have that eaten by the time xmas was over!.. okay so really it would be me...
Posted by: Jen R | December 22, 2009 at 07:18 AM
It's darling!
Posted by: Whatever DeeDee Wants | December 22, 2009 at 06:38 AM
This would look amazing in my kitchen, I am so glad I found you. You inspire me.
Posted by: Cha Cha | December 22, 2009 at 04:34 AM
What a divinely sweet wreath! Such charming ingenuity you have.
Wishing you a season of CoMfOrt & JoY
LiBBy BuTTons
Posted by: Darlie | December 22, 2009 at 04:30 AM
I love the colors and design! How many cookies have your boys pried off and eaten, now that the photo shoot is done? Hee hee! Merry Christmas to you and yours Serena! Sending much love North, Amy Riede
Posted by: Amy Riede | December 21, 2009 at 11:42 PM
just so you know..i would probably eat the whole freakin thing before i could even put it together.
just letting you know that up front.
xo
Posted by: kasey | December 21, 2009 at 04:29 PM
What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing it. I don't know if I can fit it in this year, but next year for sure!
Posted by: Monica | December 21, 2009 at 08:29 AM
I received an email from a reader, Larissa, who will we making this wreath as a centerpiece. What a great idea and it's edible too!
Thanks for the great idea, Larissa!
:) Serena
Posted by: Serena | December 21, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Heather,
My bottles are the same size. I'm thinking that maybe your icing wasn't thinned down at all? Or, maybe you held the spoon right at the rim? I find that it helps to hold the spoon up a bit higher so that the icing easily drips down into the bottle. I hope that helps.
xo,
Serena
Posted by: Serena | December 21, 2009 at 08:00 AM
That's fab!!!
Posted by: Nancy | December 21, 2009 at 07:50 AM
Love it! The colors are lovely. We had our family gathering yesterday. I hosted it with a brunch. I made two recipes from your cookbook. I made two Sunshine and sausage casseroles one with green chili's one without. We had 8 young children not sure if they would like the chili's or not. And the Golden potato bake with the extra 1/2 bag of Hash Browns. Everyone raved! Only one scoop of potatoes left and the men went back for seconds on the casserole. Thanks for such great recipes!
Posted by: Brenda Towsley | December 21, 2009 at 05:29 AM
can you please tell me how you got the icing in the bottles - I just tried that for a tv show but couldn't get the icing in - are your bottles larger perhaps? I used ones about six inches tall - maybe the opening was to small???
super cute by the way!
Posted by: Heather | December 20, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Wow, just awesome! You did a fabulous job, I love it. Have a wonderful holiday season :)
Posted by: Mommyof2girlz | December 20, 2009 at 08:04 PM
OMG - how completely adorable and i love the colors (so you and so cath kidston!)
~*~ happiest holidays! ~*~
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | December 20, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Thanks for sharing these recipes. I love how this turned out.
Blessings,
Marcia
Posted by: Marcia | December 20, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Wow, what a fun idea! Love it! Easy, colorful - I will try it myself.
Happy Holidays,
Sanna
Posted by: Sanna | December 20, 2009 at 02:07 AM
Very cute! I love the colors of your icing!
-Marybeth
Poppyseeds, Stanwood
Posted by: Marybeth | December 20, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Amazingly cute.
Posted by: koralee | December 19, 2009 at 09:07 PM
I cannot stop staring at this beautiful thing! I loved it so much, I posted a picture of it and linked back to you on my blog! Everyone needs to see this!
Posted by: Jenilee | December 19, 2009 at 08:37 PM
Putting it on my list of things to do next year! :) Oooo or maybe for Valentine's Day! How cute would that be with hearts?!? Hmmm...
Posted by: Kelly | December 19, 2009 at 08:21 PM
What a fun project!
: )
Julie M.
Posted by: The Little Red Shop | December 19, 2009 at 06:32 PM
That is the coolest decoration I've seen this season!!! Love it! :-)
Posted by: Jackie | December 19, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Wow! It's beautiful! And the photos and explainations make it look like I could do it myself! (I won't, but it looks like I could!) :) Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: maryann | December 19, 2009 at 04:45 PM
That is so. stinking. cute.!!!
Posted by: PamperingBeki | December 19, 2009 at 04:27 PM
That is so sweet! I love how you decorated the cookies, what a great idea!
Posted by: Christy | December 19, 2009 at 04:11 PM
THAT IS THE CUTEST THING EVER...LOOKS LIKE IT TAKES AWHILE TO MAKE IT.SO BRIGHT..I'D WANT TO EAT IT BEFORE VERY LONG! HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS..come say hi :D
Posted by: Julie Harward | December 19, 2009 at 03:42 PM