Pretty Texas Bluebonnet Cookies

February 14, 2013 | 34 Comments »

Some people are born to be Texan.  I, on the other hand, took a little bit longer to embrace my roots.  Growing up I’d read books about magical  places like New York City and wonder why I was doomed to spend my childhood in a perpetual time warp.

Eventually I grew up and made my way toward the east coast which was everything I imagined and more.  City lights, tons of action, and an endless supply of new and interesting people, different than any I’d ever met before.

I enjoyed every crazy minute of my time in “the real world” but after a few years I found myself back in a sleepy little Texas town with kids of my own.  It was then that I finally learned to appreciate this place I call home.

I love the old men who tell fish stories over McDonald’s coffee day after day.  I love that our school nurse knows me by name.  I love that my kids are growing up in a neighborhood full of families with kids their age. I love that I’m able to make a pit stop at my mother-in-laws house during my morning walk.  I love it that I can drive to the post office {or anywhere else in town} in less than five minutes even when there’s “traffic”.  I love hearing stories about my husband’s younger days {he’s been here ALL his life} even if his buddies have to censor them a little.  I love that my doctor knows my medical history because he’s the very same doctor who brought me into this world. I love knowing that if my kids are ever in need they could knock on any door in town and be greeted with open arms.  Most of all, I love that I finally understand why my parents gave up the convenience of city life so we could grow up in a place where neighbors are like family.

When I think of home many things come to mind but one of my favorite reminders is our state flower, the Texas Bluebonnet, or lupines as they’re called by all my non-Texan friends.  Of course I had to make them in cookie form.

Bluebonnet Cookies 1

I used three cutters to construct bluebonnet cookies, a pine cone combined with a wonky flower and a simple carrot.  The pine cone I have isn’t really around anymore {due to the fact that it looks more like a prophylactic than a pine cone, perhaps} but the new pine cone design, a bunch of grapes, or even certain leaf cutters would work well.

Bluebonnet Cookies 2

To make these cookies you will need:

  • White 20-second and medium stiff piping icing
  • Blue 20-second and medium stiff piping icing {for my favorite shade of blue, click HERE}
  • Green medium stiff piping icing

Begin by flooding the tip of the flower with white 20-second icing and the bottom with blue.  Let dry overnight.

Bluebonnet Cookies 3

Before moving onto the next step, I wanted to share a tip I use to achieve a shaded effect.  Instead of making two bags of icing, I swirl two shades of color into one.  Easy, random, and saves a bag.

Bluebonnet Cookies 4

After preparing the icing, start at the top of the bluebonnet and add petals using the brush embroidery.  If you aren’t familiar with brush embroidery I’ve talked about it here, here, and here, or, if you’re a video kind of person, check out these videos by Ali-Bee’s Bake Shop and Sweet Ambs.

Use this technique to layer petals until each space is filled.

Bluebonnet Cookies 5I covered the white section first using a smaller brush to create petals. Once that’s done carefully move to the next section.

Bluebonnet Cookies 6

Same thing goes for the blue.  Use piping icing to make large dots {I used a #3 tip} then pull a brush through each one layer by layer until the entire section is full.  When you reach the last layer reverse the direction of the petals to give the bluebonnet a finished look.

Bluebonnet Cookies 7Finish up by using a #67-#70 leaf tip to add leaves.

Bluebonnet Cookies 8You’ll notice  in the photo that I added the leaves before the petals but after making a few I decided it worked better to add them last.  This is a relatively common occurrence in the world cookie decorating.  Sometimes, despite the best laid plans, you don’t know what works best until you’re in the trenches.

Moral of the story?  If things don’t go exactly according to plan, roll with it.  Sometimes the best plan is “Plan B”.

Bluebonnet Cookies 9

In the end, as much as I hate to admit it, my momma was right.  You can take the girl out of Texas but you can’t take Texas out of the girl.

Bluebonnet Cookies 10

If you like bluebonnets, be sure to check out Bake at 350’s interpretation HERE.

I’ve learned that home can be anywhere as long as your heart’s there too.  Are you home or are you working your way back?

What does home mean to you?

Cookies, Creative Use of Cutters, Flower Cookies, Sweet Sugar Belle, Tutorials, Western Cookies
34 Comments »