I cannot for the life of me get the icing perfectly on the cookie, it looks messy...I see these round or shaped cookies and the icing is perfect on them...how do you do it?

I'm pretty new at this but, I think icing consistency is the key. Have you taken a look at the tutorial by antonia74?

http://www.cakecentral.com/article54-How-To-Bake--Decorate-Cookies.html

I recently made Scooby Doo cookies using tips from her, including her icing and it really made a difference for me. There's a picture is in my gallery if you want to take a look, not perfect but they came out well. The first one I made, I tossed, emptied my icing bag, thinned it a little more and started over.

I agree. I think the icing consistency is the most important thing to getting them smooth on top. Check out Antonia74's tutorial, if you haven't already.

Do you have a picture of any that you've done? if you post it, maybe I/someone can offer some better suggestions????

Do you mean the outside border? That takes a little bit of piping practice to get it down perfectly. What I do is actually pipe in the air and let it hit the cookie. It sounds weird but it works.

If it's the inside of the cookie it sounds like your icing is too thick perhaps?

I have the same problem, I can't get it on neat either..Have you ever tried to use fondant, just cut it out with the cookie cutter, and put it on..It looks perfect!! I also think you just need to practice, practice practice.
( Me too) That trick from lemoncurd is true, they do come out better if you "pipe in the air"..Keep trying!!

Don't feel bad, my first attempt leaves a little to be desired, and I know it was a problem with the icing consistency (see bunnies in pics). But practice, practice, practice..............and next time maybe I will do Easter eggs as they are easier than making faces! LOL!!!


deb