Sweet Elegance: 16 Cookie-Decorating Techniques
Amber Spiegel
Class Preview
0:48
- In-depth Instruction; over 154 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Introduction
4:25
Meet professional cookie decorator Amber Spiegel and get a preview of the skills you'll learn in this class. Amber shares where she looks to find inspiration for her innovative designs, then offers helpful decorating tips that apply to the entire class. See how Amber sets up her work surface, learn the best techniques for handling cookies and piping bags, and find out what materials you'll need.
Icing Consistency
20:11
Learn the essential skill of achieving the right icing consistency. Amber explains in detail how to create the three icing consistencies you'll use in the class: flood, medium and stiff. See the proper method of filling a piping bag and how to evenly distribute flood-consistency icing onto a cookie. Watch as Amber demonstrates how to use medium-consistency icing to make smooth, flowy scrollwork designs and stiff-consistency icing to create a basket weave pattern and a rope border. Finally, learn Amber's easy technique for coloring icing.
Transferring Patterns
27:02
Discover three simple ways to transfer a complex pattern onto a cookie. First, Amber walks you through the steps of how to use an edible-ink marker to create an eyelet lace design. Next, see Amber's innovative technique for sketching intricate patterns into hardened frosting with a cardstock ruler and scribe tool. Finally, learn how to make an exact copy of a pattern using tissue paper and an edible-ink marker.
Fabric Techniques
21:04
Add more sophisticated designs to your repertoire as Amber demonstrates how to create fabric-like textures with icing. Amber shows you how to achieve a quilted look and apply this technique to other eye-pleasing designs. You'll also see how to make elegant brush-embroidered flowers with a scribe tool and square-tipped brush. Using this same technique, Amber illustrates how to create a brush-embroidered border to add more intricate effects to your cookies.
Antiquing Techniques
17:52
Amber shares her quick and easy techniques for adding striking antique effects to your cookies. You'll get step-by-step instructions on how to create an ornate gold marbling effect using gold pearl dust, flood-consistency icing and a scribe tool. Amber outlines her process for making a cracked-glaze effect, which mimics the weathered surface of antique pottery. You'll also find out how to apply bronze pearl dust to the edges of your cookies for a beautiful vintage look.
Rose Embellishments
21:38
Discover how to add elegant rose accents to your creations. Amber shares her tips and tricks for working quickly with flood-consistency icing to create smooth and dainty wet-on-wet roses. Next, get in-depth instruction on how to make a piped rose with a flower nail and two colors of icing. Amber also explains her time-saving technique of using molds to create a variety of fondant roses.
Painting Techniques
22:14
Learn Amber's simple painting techniques for embellishing cookies with accents of color and sparkle. See how to make edible watercolor paint using gel paste food coloring. Then, watch as Amber uses a round-tip brush to apply and blend multiple colors on hardened icing -- perfect for creating the colorful wings of a butterfly or a vibrant sunset background. You'll also see how to dress up your designs even more with Amber's gilding technique.
Creative Texturing
18:35
Continue building on the innovative techniques you've learned in previous lessons to create a variety of unique textures. Amber shows you how to add fuzzy textures to your animal- or beach-themed cookies by dabbing flood-consistency icing with a stiff square-tipped brush. See how to create a rustic, but elegant look using a spatula to make textured designs in the icing. Plus, Amber demonstrates how to add a smooth and glossy finish to your icing using corn syrup, alcohol and a dash of pearl dust.
Make your cookies a delicacy of design, texture and color with professional decorator Amber Spiegel. Start by achieving the perfect royal icing consistency for different types of decorating. Then, learn to easily transfer intricate eyelet lace and other patterns onto your cookies. Make sophisticated fabric effects simple: luscious quilted textures, as well as breathtaking brush embroidered flowers and borders. Antique your cookies with the look of gold marbling, cracked ceramic glazes and bronze edgings. Create rose accents with exquisite wet-on-wet techniques, eye-catching piping and more. Paint vibrant custom designs and radiant backdrops with edible watercolors. Texture your work to create “fuzzy” animal cookies and wavy icing for rustic chic treats. Make the most enticing treats at the table with new cookie-decorating techniques.
Amber Spiegel
Amber is a graduate of the Baking and Pastry Arts Program at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She's also a former cake and cookie decorator at Wilton Industries. Today, Amber runs her own cookie business, SweetAmbs. She enjoys teaching cookie decorating through video tutorials, in-person classes around the world and on Craftsy. Amber's work can be found in magazines such as InStyle, Cake Central and Brides, as well as on numerous blog and websites.
Bonus materials available after purchase