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And yes, I’m a little biased and a lot proud. A few mornings ago I made sugar cookies with my niece (and bakerella in training). I decided to let her do all the decorating. I need a helper you know. She was so excited to step up to the challenge. First, I told her to look through the book Cookie Craft ^[2] for some ideas. But she would have none of that. She was determined to jump right in. So I made up a few different colors of royal icing and put her to work.

First up… Learn how to pipe the outlines. This is one of the hardest things for me, but I think she did great. Look how determined.

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Can you see the creative wheels spinning?

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Now more piping.

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And time to flood the inside for a smooth finish (with a more liquid consistency).

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And flood…

Work that toothpick.

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And flood …

Below, you can you see the first signs of “Please, can I turn the Suite Life of Zack and Cody back on?”

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“Nope, keep flooding.”

“Okay. Okay.”

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And finally some finishing touches.

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Yes, I love them.

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She even made a special one for NaNa.

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In the end she was sooooo proud.

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And so was I.

I think Santa approves, too!

If you want to learn how to make decorated sugar cookies with royal icing, get your hands on a copy of the book, Cookie Craft ^[2]. It’s fantastic. Here’s a look at my first set ^[15] (so far, anyway) of decorated sugar cookies. I can’t wait to do more.

And, Happy Holidays everyone from the both of us!