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To outline or not??

post #1 of 21
7/26/10 at 5:07pm
Thread Starter 
I am new at all this and still use an outline of piped icing before flowing in the fill icing. I think the cookies without the outline look so much nicer. Is there a recipe for the consistency that keeps it from running off the cookie without the outline? Also, can you do the wet on wet technique when you do not outline? Thanks. thumbs_up.gif
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post #2 of 21
7/26/10 at 5:31pm
i know that there are folks who do not outline, so i will leave them to answer your question, but i will offer an alternative icon_smile.gif.

i always outline because i like the control, but i HATE the look of an outline. if you look at my cookies, except for the one or two where the outline was part of the design, you will not see my outlines.

the trick to not having the outline show is to fill while the outline is still a bit wet...and the outline and the fill becomes seamless. if the cookie is large, i outline and start filling right away, it if is small, i may outline two and then go back and start filling.

diane
Diane
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Diane
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post #3 of 21
7/26/10 at 5:43pm
Diane - your cookies look amazing!!!
~ Amy ~
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~ Amy ~
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post #4 of 21
7/29/10 at 10:34am
I do what Diane does. I pipe a line of icing around the perimeter of the area to be iced. I immediately fill in with more icing, using a zig zag pattern. This leaves a portion of the cookie with no icing. I use a tapered, off-set spatula to smooth the icing evenly over the area. The icing dries nice and smooth, with no outlines. If you look at my photos, you will notice that they are all outlined. I do this after the entire cookie is iced. I mix my leftover icings together, add some black and enough powdered sugar to get the icing to the consistency of peanut butter. I use a #1s or #1 for all outlining and details.

P.S. - I absolutely LOVE Diane's cookies!
The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.
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The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.
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post #5 of 21
7/31/10 at 10:45am
Thread Starter 
Diane...I looked at some of your photos and you are right, I cannot see the outline. I tried that once but I must have did the fill while the outline was still too wet because it ran off the cookie. Do you use the same icing for the outline and the fill?
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post #6 of 21
7/31/10 at 12:59pm
my outline is stiffer than the flood.

i take my flood and i begin adding more PS until it's about like toothpaste or peanut butter. you don't wan't to get too dry because it will be a nightmare to pipe and you don't want it to be too wet because then the dam will not hold well. drop it off your spoon and if it disappears back into the icing before 10 seconds passes it is too wet. it might take a few attempts before you find the right consistency. you can also just scoop a little into a tip and then push it out with your finger and see if it hold the shape. if it flattens out, to wet. it's a little harder to gauge "too dry"....
i still occasionally make my outline to dry and then i have to decide if my wrist can suck it up (it also does not make as nice an outline where the ends meet) or empty my bag and add a little more liquid.

i also make my flood a little thicker than the original recipe called for. thicker icing tends to stay where you put it better and i have less breaks in the dam.

the recipe i originally used for flood was 3/8 cup water, 3/8 cup corn syrup to 1 lb PS. i now use 1/4 cup of each liquid for the flood and get much better results.
Diane
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Diane
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post #7 of 21
8/8/10 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Diane, I noticed that you use a lot of dark chocolate dough for your cookies and raspberry icing. What recipe do you use for the chocolate dough? I have not had the nerve to try different flavorings in the icing yet. I don't know why because after all they are just cookies and my family and friends are the only ones eating them. I guess I think it is too hard to come up with a tasty combination. Thanks for sharing your photos. I will have to figure out how to post photos and add some of mine.
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post #8 of 21
8/9/10 at 6:04am
it's my favorite cookie, not only because it looks so great decorated, but because it really, really, really tastes good. my family scarfs them up sometimes before i can get them decorated, lol.

the dough holds its shape too which is hugely important to me.

i also like the fact that i can add additional flavor to the dough to make combinations like chocolate-banana or chocolate coconut. i add the required amount of vanilla extract and then i add just over a teaspoon of another flavor and get great results.

the recipe is from pumpkin waffles here on cc (and i use the hershey's dark cocoa):
http://cakecentral.com/recipes/6962/rolled-dark-chocolate-cookies

the cookies you are asking about were the recipe as written with raspberry flavored glace (just flavored with raspberry extract). but, it i were to do this again, i would put the extract in the cookies too for an even more flavorful cookie!
Diane
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Diane
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post #9 of 21
8/10/10 at 4:45am
Thread Starter 
I know I have seen a post before listing a place that everyone seems to get their flavorings from. Do you have the name of that web site? I will have to get brave and try some different cookies. So far I have only decorated the sugar cookies. Thanks.
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post #10 of 21
8/10/10 at 4:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by messy1

I know I have seen a post before listing a place that everyone seems to get their flavorings from. Do you have the name of that web site? I will have to get brave and try some different cookies. So far I have only decorated the sugar cookies. Thanks.



Spices, etc. (I love the key lime). They have a ton of natural flavorings, and the prices aren't too bad. I use the clear vanilla A LOT. I bought the coconut and banana, but haven't had the opportunity to try them yet. My next cookie will definitely by a chocolate coconut with coconut icing!
The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.
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The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.
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post #11 of 21
8/10/10 at 6:23am
Thread Starter 
You are so brave. Do you use the key lime in glace icing on a sugar cookie?
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post #12 of 21
8/10/10 at 7:20am
one of my favorites is a coconut sugar cookie (regular, not chocolate) with key lime icing icon_smile.gif. omg, i am making myself hungry and it is not even 10:30......
Diane
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Diane
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post #13 of 21
8/10/10 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by messy1

You are so brave. Do you use the key lime in glace icing on a sugar cookie?



I added the key lime to both the cookie and the icing. VERY yummy!
The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.
Reply
The pessimist complains about the wind;
the optimist expects it to change;
the realist adjusts the sails.
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post #14 of 21
8/10/10 at 12:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drakegore

one of my favorites is a coconut sugar cookie (regular, not chocolate) with key lime icing icon_smile.gif. omg, i am making myself hungry and it is not even 10:30......



Oh yum that sounds so good! Like something I want to eat while lounging on the beach!
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post #15 of 21
8/10/10 at 4:31pm
Thread Starter 
Okay Diane you mention the coconut sugar cookie and I searched the recipe section for it and nothing came up. Is it something special you make and can you share?
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