Speckling Cookies with Luster Dust
I have two kind of ramblings…the well thought out, planned kind and the impromptu, because ya asked type. This is the latter.
A few days ago I posted these simple autumn cookies with splashes of gold. Because ya asked, here’s the skinny. It’s so easy I’m almost embarrassed to tell!
I started with simple acorn cookies, outlined and filled them with ivory icing, then let them dry overnight.
The next day I mixed several shades of gold-ish colored lustre dust {I have a keeper cup I almost always work out of} with Everclear. Who knew cookie decorating would involve heavy drinking, right?
Seriously, though, if you’re not down with the Everclear, use vodka or vanilla or lemon extract.
To create a light spattering of color, remove any excess liquid from your brush {this is REALLY important if you don’t want large splotches}
then run your fingers through the bristles to create a light speckling of color.
If you want to get really crazy, you can also try a highly technical method I like to call “slinging”. All you eighties babies remember splatter painting right? I may or may not have a light spattering of gold on my dining room wall.
Dip your brush and go to town. It’s almost therapeutic!
For those of you who are wondering, you cannot do this with water. IT WILL RUIN YOUR COOKIES! This has to be some sort of alcohol based liquid that will will evaporate quickly. You can also use a toothbrush if you don’t have a paintbrush lying around.
When the lustre dust is dry {it will only take a minute} add the final details.
Remember me saying this was an impromptu thing? Since I didn’t decide what to do with the caps until it was too dark for a picture, there isn’t one. Basically I piped a scalloped design onto the dried base and sprinkled it with brown sanding sugar. Easy breezy!
If you’d like to try your hand at making cookies like this, here are a few posts that might help you on your way:
- Make Your Cookies SHINE {using lustre dust on cookies}
- Applying Sanding Sugar To Cookies {VIDEO}
- DIY Colored Sanding Sugar
- Pretty Autumn Color Palette
Need tons of lustre dust {yes you do} try Country Kitchen Sweet Art. They have a GREAT selection!
I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful days of autumn!
Awesome! I tried to buy Everclear at the ABC store one time for lustre dust application….turns out it is illegal in Virginia. That was an interesting conversation…
So pretty! Looks like fun to do too!
These are so beautiful Callye! I want to carry them around in my purse and look at them all day! I guess that’s my iphones are for 😉
Seriously might be my most favorite cookie ever, at least acorn cookie. You’ve done too many amazing cookies for me to chose a favorite, but today these are my favorite! They are just so autumn and shimmery and fun.
these look great. Love the gold speckle.
Love the look of different textures! Just beautiful 🙂
Thanks so much for taking the time to show us! It is appreciated!
Thank you! I chuckled at your description of slinging … you’re hysterical sometimes. And another gorgeous cookie.
I’m going to start splattering my cookies just so I can get some Everclear! 🙂 Not to mention how beautiful they look!!
SO pretty! My girls would love doing the flicking of the brush… what kid wouldn’t?!
These are gorgeous – I wanna make them!
Another way to get the speckled look is to take an old toothbrush and dip the bristles end in your vodka/lustre dust mixture and run your finger across the end of the toothbrush bristles. I’ve been using this method for years when I paint and it’s super easy.
I decided if I was going to be a cookie, this is the cookie I want to be 😉
That look so cool and so original. I really want to try something like that sometime! 😀
I’m glad to hear that my guess was pretty close to what you actually do. If I’m starting to think like you… I must be learning something. 🙂
Your fall cookie platter is fabulous! I just love the muted palette with the fun pops of gold. I just picked up some cute mini-cutters and can’t wait to whip up a batch of goldy cute cookies myself! 🙂
These cookies are adorable – and sweetly sophisticated. I hold special affection for acorns -a memory connected to my Dad. Darling cookie!
Baking must be funny, that’s exactly the way it looks, in this post !
so fun, Hubby was all upset when he saw I opened the tiny vodka bottle he had, there was like a tsp missing, but it was worth it, the cookies looked great.
It may be a simple technique but the overall effect is so pretty!
In staying with the autumn spirit…..I have a squirrel cookie cutter that I have no idea how to decorate with! Would you be willing to add this to your theme????
these are cute!!! And love your new banner btw. Very festive 🙂
I sooo want to try these! Acorns are my favorite fall cookie cutter and there are millions all over the ground here. I know there is an old wives tale about my winter forecast! And Everclear???? I use vanilla vodka so if I nip it by accident it’s yummy!
That’s genius! I’m going to pick some up TODAY!
So PRETTY!
Hi. Love reading your blog! I would like to see more photos of your work area. Anyone who has not just sugar, not just sanding sugar, but brown sanding sugar must have a fabulous workspace. I think you’ve shown a few photos, but please share more. Thanks!
Gorgeous and I can’t wait to try this technique! Thanks for making it ok to make a mess in the kitchen 😉
Callye, I completely love you for sharing this idea! I am up to my neck this week and a friend asked for fall leaves. This technique will add the perfect elegant touch that I needed *and* I will be able to do them quickly! Thank you, Callye!!!!
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Thank you so much! I used this technique on my ‘mercury glass’ cookies. It was quite a challenge, but I think I did ok. Thank you so much for ALL you do for us cookiers!!!