Tutorial: Christmas Bow

So like so many people this season, my schedule looks like this:

go go go...to-do to-do to-do....shopping shopping shopping...work work work...party party party...

Christmas.

Did I mention party?  I think there's something going on every weekend for the next month... maybe more.  Who knows.  Anyway, with all these parties going on (which I love btw....I mean who doesn't love a good party around Christmas?) I get asked to make a lot of cookies.

Yesterday I went to my first cookie exchange party.  And I had to bring cookies (duh).  4 dozen of them.  Well, with everything else going on this month, I don't have a ton of time to make really exquisite Christmas cookies in large batches.  And I would imagine neither do a lot of people...I mean we have to get everything done to get ready for Christmas.  There's social engagements, the shopping, the cooking, decorating.... and of course we want to spend time with our family.  So when it comes to cookies like these....I keep them old school simple.

Classic simple and festive.  Does the job.  And it's cute to boot.



Wanna see how to make one?  How bout a bow?

Made with an unexpected cutter that just about everyone has.

A butterfly.  I mean really, any butterfly works.  Think about it....all the main elements are there.

So grab your favorite (or even not so favorite butterfly) cutter.  If you never really use your butterfly cutter, here's a new use for it.

Start out by out lining your bow:

If you want to see a video on how I outline my bows I have one available here.

For this bow I went ahead and used a #2.  I was on a mission to get these done quickly and I kinda needed a #2  for all my external details on my cookies.  So I made it easy on myself and stuck to one tip size.

Next, fill your cookie with your flood icing.

If you want to see a video on consistencies I have one of those too.

Now your going to need some little extra things:

Here I have piping consistency icing in 4 different colors.  (festive yes?) And I have these cute little red pearls.  Ok well they aren't so little really.  They're fairly sizable.  AND they're CHOCOLATE!  Makes me happy.

Found them in the grocery store.  Who knew....

Anyway, Time to add your details:

Add some holly leaves.  I just made squiggles....looked like leaves....worked for me.  Then add your tassel strings.  I don't know why tassels seemed festive to me.  I don't even know if you could call them tassels   It's like....decorative something.....jingle bells???

Anywho, add your final details:

A chocolate candy in the center, the gold bells, and anything else you would like to add.  Then your done!

So not complicated at all!  Really simple and festive!  Maybe, just maybe, it will help get you through the holiday season.  I mean, if you don't give them away you can certainly eat it...and that always makes me feel better  ;)