Stencils are an easy way to add fine details to cookies. After all, even with the smallest pastry tips, there is only so much you can do with traditionally piping. Stencils are as simple to use as you might think: Place your design of choice on top of a cookie and paint over it. Here are step-by-step instructions to get the best results:

 Let’s start by making our cookies.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light in color and fluffy in texture:

Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until combined:

Add all the flour and mix on low speed until the dough comes together:

Roll out your dough between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 350°F:

Unwrap your dough and cut out your cookies. For this project I am using a gift tag cookie cutter:

To be able to hang these cookies, simply pierce each one with a skewer before baking:

Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges start to turn a light golden color.

Here are pictures of my inspiration for today’s cookies:

I love two-tone designs for the holidays. Simple and elegant. Here is how to make a cookie version using a fun technique: stencils!

Start by covering each cookie in a layer of royal icing. I like using different colors. Let the icing set completely:

To add designs, I am using Martha Stewart glass etching stencils. That’s the trick. Stencils are stencils. It doesn’t really matter what their original purpose was. Martha Stewart has a ton of stencils for different craft projects. Glass etching stencils have the advantages of having a sticky backside and being smaller in size than some of the other stencils:

Peel off the stencil you want to use and place it on  your cookie:

Using a small painting brush, apply royal icing over the stencil:

Peel off the stencil, clean it and repeat:

Mix colors and patterns for the best effect:

Merry Christmas!!!