The Complete Photo Guide to Cookie Decorating

The Complete Photo Guide to Cookie Decorating
By Autumn Carpenter
Gifted by Creative Publishing International
www.creativepub.com
Reviewed by Melissa Conner, Editor of FaveCrafts.com

Cookie decorating has become a popular art in the confectionary field.  Crafters and bakers alike seem to find cookie decorating extremely gratifying.  In just a few minutes, a cookie can be transformed from a simple shape into a colorful, edible work of art.  Today cookies are not just decorated for the holidays...they're often used as a dessert for a party, given as party favors, or made for gift-giving on special occasions, like weddings and baby showers.

Filled with all the tools, tips and tricks you need to create adorable and fun cookies, The Complete Photo Guide to Cookie Decorating is your go-to guide for all you need to know about cookie decorating, including tools for baking, recipes, coloring and flavoring icing, adding shimmer and sparkle, doing brush embroidery, and so much more. 

As a cookie lover and decorator, I found this book to be extremely helpful.  I particularly liked the section on Cookie Cutter Shapes, where author Autumn Carpenter teaches you how to use cookie cutters to create your own unique cookies.  I don't know why I never thought of some of these easy and clever tips and tricks!  She even shows you how to take a cardstock pattern and turn it into a unique and fun cookie shape!  There's nothing you can't make with the help of The Complete Photo Guide to Cookie Decorating.

I also loved the Decorating Chart, which shows you what your cookie will look like based on what icing you use.  There's also a useful chart that tells you how each icing rates on a variety of topics, including how easy it is for kids to use, the taste of the icing, shipping, and how it holds up in the heat and the cold. 

Once you've mastered all the tips and tricks of cookie decorating, you're ready to start making cookies!  Carpenter breaks down her book based on icing and then shows you techniques, cookies, and ideas incorportating that icing technique.  She also offers great packaging ideas and a lovely gallery of designs if you're looking for inspiration.

So whether you love decorating cookies or you're a creative mind looking for a fun way to express your creativity, you're sure to love the adorable cookies in The Complete Photo Guide to Cookie Decorating.  You may even find that cookie decorating will become your new favorite craft!