I am trying to figure out what recipe to use for the Sweet Treats and Roses Swap, and I am afraid, I just don’t do recipes much.
I decided to try a recipe for hand painting sugar cookies.
You add food coloring to clear Karo Corn syrup to make your "paint".
I used coffee stir sticks to mix the colors.
After baking a batch of sugar cookies from a mix, I spread white canned icing on one at a time as I was ready to paint them. If you ice them ahead of time, the icing sets up too hard to paint on.
I dipped a brand new paint brush into the food coloring and started to paint.
For a rose, I used the red food coloring in the clear syrup, and swirled it around, mixing it with the icing itself, which made some areas pink. I went back with a dot of red on my brush to add a center of the rose.
Using the green and yellow colors, I added leaves and vines.
On some cookies, I used colored sugar sprinkles on the edges. (that also needs to be done while the icing is still soft, not set up)
Keep a glass of warm water handy to rinse the brush out often, it will get clogged up with globs of icing.
After rinsing, make sure you dab off all excess water before dipping into the paint again.
You can also paint direcly onto the cookie, without icing, for a different look.
I start with the lightest colors first, and add darker ones as I go. 
When you are finished painting, colored sugar lightly sprinkled onto the cookie is a pretty touch, a little like adding the glitter to a collage project!
I didn’t have a butterfly cookie cutter, so I free handed the shape with a knife and cut it out of the dough. I suggest using a cookie cutter instead!!!!
I like to store my painted cookies under a glass cake dome, but before I do, I let them air dry for a couple of hours at least so they don’t stick together.
On Thursday, Beth and Carol are coming over to have a craft day and play with papers. I HOPE to still have a few cookies to share with them. But, Sugarwings and her family are coming over tonight, these cookies might be gone fast.
Speaking little Miss Sugarwings, I have a favor. There is a cute baby contest I hope to send her photo into (don’t all grandmas think that their own little cutie will win?? but hey, look at those eyes!!!)
I took a few pictures of her and would appreciate your vote on which I should use.
I like this one, she is looking right at the camera and her dimples show.
#1
#2- a sweet fairy
#3- really fun, but I don’t know if her eyes show up enough
#4- sweet smile and her eyes look good, but she is not looking at the camera, will that matter?
I might take some more tonight after dinner, unless she is too smeared up with cookies after she eats!
Please let me know what you think is the best photo to submit. I have a couple of days to send it in and would love your input.
Those are the most beautiful cookies. Mary
#4 — those eyes will win hands down!!!
#4 …she looks so natural and sparkly with that big smile both showing with her mouth and eyes and I love the little hand gesture. So cute.
Your cookies are beautiful. I’m going to try that. On the photographs..I vote for #1 too. What a sweet face!
Michelle
No 4, she’s your winner anyway!
p.s. the cookies are to good to eat!
Beautiful cookies and great pictures! I love photo #4; good luck!!
Beth (mommy to my own sparkling little boy)
I think #4 is your winner…adorable! Seeing that smile made me smile. 🙂
Samantha
I like 4 the best. Those cookies look so wonderful – I think it is a recipe! I’d love to know how to decorate them like you do.
Karla
cute cookies! great idea!! Sugarwings looks adorable in all the pics but I like # 2 the best 🙂 xo Britt
Hi Karla, oooh number 4 for sure 🙂 The cookies – beautiful!!!! Jenn and Jacqui
First of all those cookies are gorgeous. I love them. They are too cute to eat though.
I vote for pic #4. I really like pic #3 because she looks like she’s having so much fun but you can’t see her face completely.
Number 4 is the winner!
oooh, #4 looks very popular…but i also love #3…how could you take a bad picture of that sweet face…impossible!!!
your cookies look SO beautiful!!!
Hi Karla, definately #4!!! Who couldn’t resist that sweet face! P.S. The cookies look great too.
I’d say #1 – she looks like she has a secret she’s just getting ready to tell you.
You are amazing – you have outdone yourself by painting roses on cookies! They are beautiful. Sugarwings sweet fairy #2 is my favorite.
#4 is a winner! She is just too cute! and you are right, those eyes are just amazing. Love the cookies too.
#1 because those gorgeous eyes make a connection with the viewer’s heart. The beautiful cookies would be perfect for a Valentine’s tea with my granddaughters – must do!!
You make painting roses look SO easy!!! mine would be a big ole blob with pink and white swirls!! lol
First of all, how could you let anyone eat those pretty cookies! LOL! You could sell those in a shop.
I would pick #3 or #4. The first one has a little “deer caught in the headlights” look. My mom says she picks #3, no question! 😀
The one with the teacup as it shows her personality the most.
Hi Karla, Haven’t been here for a while, don’t know whether I have wished you the very best for 2008, but better one time too many than not at all!
Am I the only one who favors picture nr. 1?
(the one with the eyes, looking very good into the camera)
Did I ever mention that when I like something that is the first that is gone. Everybody likes what I like, LOL.
Your cookies look yum-yum and gorgeous as well, I have never seen somebody actually paint their cookies, but I like it.
Have a nice day, hugs L.
Altho all are adorable (of course!) I vote for photo #2…
And daaaayyyuuum girl, I am WAY impressed by those rose cookies…if I baked something that gorgeous, there is NO freaking way I’d let anybody eat them,lol!
But seriously, you should send that idea to Martha or Betty Crocker or something, that’s truly impressive!
I wouldn’t want to eat those cookies. They are too beautiful!
I choose #4. Her smile is soooo personable! Although all of them are great… I don’t think Sugarwings can take a bad pic. 🙂
wowzers i have seen it all i can go to heaven!
those cookies and that baby are the cutest, sweetest treat of the day!
jessi
Oh my gosh, I want to try painting cookies now! How fun! I love picture #4. She’s is just so cute!
Oh my!!! those cookies are lovely. All the pictures are fantastic and so cute. It’s a toss up between 2 and 4 and I think I will go with 4. She is such a sweetie.
Karen
I like picture 3 & 4 the best. You might want to try taking more of her in the fairy costume, since it’s so cute.
The cookies are beautiful. Unfortunately mine would look like a red swirl.
~elaine~
I pick #3 cos she just looks so happy and is having such fun.
Those cookies are fabulous. I would feel really guilty if I ate those pieces of art.
A new brush !!! What were you thinking??
Alison
#4 gets my vote! She may not be looking at the camera, but those big blue eyes look so big and bright in that one. She is the cutest baby, no competition on that one!! Those cookies are beautiful too!! I was kinda half asleep at the computer just browsing blogs when I scrolled down and saw those cookies!!! Wide awake now and want to back cookies!!! Butterflies and roses painted on cookies…love it!!!-Sandra
Oh number 3 is such a cute picture. She looks like she is having a blast. Those cookies are to pretty to eat!
Bristol
#4 — shows her cute personality, and those gorgeous eyes!
🙂
Those cookies look delish and pretty too!!
I love all the pictures! The ones where her eyelashes are shown sooooooo long, # 1 & #4 are my favs…….if I had to choose I’d say number 4! The roses are so beautiful on the cookies! What a clever idea to use the paintbrush! Mine would be big blobs though. And….my family would INHALE them anyway!
Those cookies look like a work of art! 4 is my favorite,she is tooooo sweet.
Hugs,
Carol
Hi
I love photo #2. Cute little fairy. The cookies are beautiful.
Pam
What a fun tutorial! That is something I have never seen anywhere on the internet! They are so gorgeous! And I vote for #2 and #4. I don’t think it matters that she isn’t looking at the camera. Good luck! Is it the regis and kelly by any chance? I thought of sending in Joshua.
How creative of you, those cookies are too pretty to eat.
Hi Karla,
They are all soooo cute, but I LOVE #4, her smile and eyes are just amazing…
Kathy
Such a clever idea – I vote for #4 too!
xo
mary
I am impressed by your cookies. I loved the photo 3.
4 she is just a little doll!!!! and those cookies… you are amazing!!!!
will we be able to vote for her too???
Oh Karla, I would hate to be the one to chose! They are all gorgeous and each one shows a different little side of her!!
The cookies look divine……Im in the Uk so give me a few hours and I’ll be right over!!!!
xx
Only you would have thought to hand paint cookies!!! And look how gorgeous they are!!! Any magazine would want this write up…
Number 4 is my pick…little doll!
I like photo #4 the best too! You have so many that are good! Your cookies are the most beautiful cookies I’ve ever seen! They are like little paintings. You could go on Martha Stewart Live and do this… in fact, I think I’ll email them right now to tell them about you! Wouldn’t that be cool?? NYC?!!
I like number 4 the best. And the rose painted cookies are gorgeous!
Oh my gosh! TOOOOO cute! I’m also voting for #4!!!
And those cookies! I suspect Martha will come calling, and we’ll be watching you make these on her show! =)
#4 photo….all are so cute, though! The cookies turned out beautifully. Really too pretty to eat!
karen
Love all your beautiful cookies!
And I love all the photos of Sugarwings…so I am no help there!
Priscilla
Karla,
I like number #1 best. Good work on outfitting your other house!
Cheryl
You give hard tests, Karla! I pick #4, but all of them are wonderful.
The cookies are too pretty to eat!
I’m glad your apartment set up went well. My husband used to have to do that. I’m so glad to have him working from home now.
Those cookies! Beautiful–a great diet food–who would want to spoil such beautiful paintings by taking a bite. 🙂
And Sugarwings. . .I like #1 or #4.
Thanks for the cookie tutorial!
Cathy
They are ALL great photos ~ I can’t decide between #2 & #4 ~ love ’em!!!!
Your granddaughter is exceptionally beautiful (I have one too who I think is quite a cutie — but yours would win a prize) I vote for #4. Your endless talent extends to cookies, too!
Number #3 shows an “Impish” side!!! Very Cute indeed!
I have just given you the “You Make My Day Award”! Thanks for being so special!
Those are the most beautiful cookies I have ever seen! And that is the second most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen. I have a grandaughter too, what can I say? Sugarwings is a cutie though. Lucky grandma to be with her so much. Rhondi
I am amazed at those cupcakes and cookies. If you lived near me, I would SOOOO have to have some of those!
Oh my goodness… painted cookies!!! You are one talented chicky!!!!
Your littlte Sugar Wings is a cutie in ALL of the photos!!!!
Ohh I vote for 4, although she looks pretty sweet in all of them !!! Clarice
Your blog is amazing…and I’ve seen it ALL now…painted ROSE cookies! WOW! I’m pretty new to blogging and have been amazed by how talented all of you are.
I do need some help coming up with a name for my new (being built) website and asking bloggers to give a thought. Let me know if you get the chance!
Thanks!
~ Jillian
What a cutie! Nice cookies, too.
Nan
Those cookies are truly beautiful. And I vote for picture #3 – I love her little squished up face. What an angel!
Cheers!
Dee Dee
Thanks for the name help! By the way “Karla’s Cottage” is so catchy! Not boring at all…
I liked your profile answers too! Funny!
Thanks again,
~ Jillian
What a cutie pie! #4 has my vote, but I think the others are winners too.
Oh # 4!
She’s SOOO sweet!
I vote for #4. The cookies look gorgeous!
I love the rose cookies, sooooo beautiful!!!!!! She is soooooooooooooo CUTE!!!!! I love the photo #1. I think it is the sweetest!!!!! Thank you for your wonderful birthday wishes! Auberne’ Ancalimon
The cookies look delicious!!!
I like #4 the best also… very cute 🙂
From a photographer’s standpoint, I like #1 best. It shows all her face and her smile is great and eyes sparkle. Love it.
Those cookies are works of art!
From a photographer’s standpoint, I like #1 best. It shows all her face and her smile is great and eyes sparkle. Love it.
Those cookies are works of art!
From a photographer’s standpoint, I like #1 best. It shows all her face and her smile is great and eyes sparkle. Love it.
Those cookies are works of art!
Those cookies look amazing. You did a wonderful job! I like all of the pictures!! But if I had to pick, I would go with #1!!
she is precious! Hard to pick, but I think #1 or #4.
What a great idea painting the roses on the cookies! They are beautiful!!
The cookies are artsy fun!
I like the first photo and the 4th one. I’d really lean towards #4. She’s sweetness in her smile!
I love #4. Those are too pretty to eat 🙂
I have to agree the cookies are too pretty to eat!