Leaf-Tip Royal Icing Bows
Over the years I’ve turned from an obsessive compulsive cookie decorator into a “make it work” kind of gal. Once upon a time I might have mixed two or three consistencies of icing to create the perfect detail.
These days, I’ve adopted a much more relaxed decorating style. Leaf tip royal icing bows are one of my favorite ways to add a little pizazz with minimal effort on my part.
To make royal icing bows with a leaf tip you will need:
Leaf bows should always begin with a little planning. Until you’re comfortable with the technique, it’s a good idea to pre-mark points A and B {beginning points} with a pushpin or edible marker. To prove my point, look closely at the first photo. I didn’t exactly want the bow where it ended up, I just didn’t plan well before piping.
Anywho…beginning at point A, pipe a leaf pulling it to a tip midway between the points.
Beginning at point B, repeat the previous step connecting the two leaves at the midpoint.
If necessary, use a toothpick or boo-boo stick to level the connecting point before moving on.
To finish up, use a #2 or #3 tip to add a dot to the center.
Here’s another visual just for good measure.
And because it’s my nature to over-explain…
Royal icing bows are a quick way to dress up many cookie designs. Experiment with different tips and icing consistencies until you find what works for you. I used looser piping icing to make the “bubbly” bows here.
This technique also translates well to royal icing transfers but it’s important to connect the leaves at a wider point. This strengthens the bows, making them less likely to snap when removed.
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Such a neat idea and the cookies look super cute 🙂
What a neat trick! These cookies are so cute, too!!!
Not only do I love the bowties but the purple glasses are awesome! Love them!
Such a neat idea! Your accents always look perfect 🙂
Love this!! Seriously love it.
hola buenas tardes,, tus galletas me parecen fastásticas, no entiendo tu idioma pero confio en que las imágenes me guien, gracias por tus consejos, un saludo
maria
Internet translation with
Hi good afternoon, I seem fastásticas your cookies do not understand your language, but I trust that images lead me, thanks for your advice, a greeting
Another fantastic, easy, creative decorating trick that most of us would never think of without your guidance. Thanks.
Guess I won’t be needing to my a mold for making bows! thanks for the tip 🙂
SOOO cute! I actually love how the leaf tip gives the bow a little shape and makes it look more 3D – like the actual fabric ripples/folds when you do tie a real bow, especially out of wide ribbon. Thanks for the tutorial!
I love this low-key approach to bows and just the idea of moving away from nit-picky-ness to makin’ it work. I’m teetering between the two right now as I’ve got less and less time, being pregnant and having a toddler. At the same time, I’m drawn to get things *just* so 🙂 I think I’ll take a cue from you and let myself slide into a more mellow cookie-making perspective!
You’re a such amazing !!! I love all your posts !!! Keep making our lifes easier !!!
Hugs
Vera
Thanks for encouraging me!
Another great tip! I love that it doesn’t require making another RI consistency, and that you don’t have to wait for the ends to set before you pipe the center knot. Plus, there’s something “realistic” about the waviness of these bows over the pipe-and-flood type.
These little bows are so darn cute!! I love the heart shape it gives the bow! The cookies are just adorable and the bows take them over the top!
Not only is this a helpful tip that makes a cute bow but the cookies are really cute too.
I never knew I would love an apple and a chocolate chip cookie so much!
OMG This Idea could not have come at a better time! I have to add bows to my owl cookies in the Morning to make them girly and I cannot wait to try this out! Thank you so much for sharing all that you do. Your timing is perfect, I had a baby shower to do right after Samantha did her guest post on your blog and the dresses came out so cute with the bell cutter.
If it’s okay, can I say that I have been hoping and praying that you’ll publish a book featuring all your amazing cookie decorating advice one day.
Please, please, please do this one day, You are the most amazing cookie decorator in the world!
Love the cookies and the leaf tip bow! Guess what????? I’m working with royal icing today!!
Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Oh oh, oh yeah!!!
These are so cute!!! I love the little beauty mark on the apple.
Your nerdy bookworm cookies are among my all-time favorite cookies EVER, and these cookies are a sister set to those! I really appreciate your detailed tutorials (I never think you over-explain – the more examples and visuals the better.) The birthmark on the female cookies and apples is perfection. Such a small detail adds so much sass and personality. Love ’em!
Your tips and ideas are truly amazing, I’ve known that since I started following your blog. But somehow you keep surprising us, yet with another great post. Thank you so, so much!
perfect!! just perfect!!
I’m a cupcake decorator so I’ve very familiar with that leaf tip. I never thought of making a bow out of it. I’ll have to try! How beautiful and fun they must be!! =)
Your designs always bring such a smile to my face! These are just so cute!
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You are my hero. Have I said that enough already? Are you tired of hearing that? I just can’t stop saying it!!
Hi there, I just recently found your royal icing recipe and tutorials and I bookmarked it, and then came back to looking around the site and found this and while i obsess over bows and totally LOVE the bow, I also love the glasses! Adorable!!
i love your over-explaining!!!!
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Hi this is good and inspirational. Thanks for sharing it got me thinking out of the box.