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You can do it!
Cookie monsters of all ages will love the totally edible pictures you can create using your computer. When you are doing your holiday baking this year, consider topping off the cookies with graphics of photos "printed" on edible frosting circles. Frosting circles are very delicate and meld as one with the icing for a professional look. We've provided recipes for sugar cookies and a delectable, easy-to-make icing. You provide your personal touch on top for a sweet holiday surprise.

Materials: All available (center column) HERE - Replacement parts too.
· Dedicated printer, buy locally from the list HERE There are basically 2 types of Cannon bubble jets you can use with these food coloring cartridges (Also Epson now available): one that holds one cartridge for each color plus black prints best (you won't use the photo colors even if there is space for those). You cannot use other printers because the food coloring cartridges won't fit into the printers.

Basically you will need:
· Dedicated printer (not used for real ink)
· Edible food coloring cartridges
· Sheet of 2" edible frosting circles
· Roll-out sugar cookies & Cookie Icing
· 2-1/2" round cookie cutter
· Cookie sheet
· Parchment paper, for easy cleanup
· Candy sprinkles (optional)
· Photo Express ver 1 software

Instructions:
1. Open Photo Express
2. Open the picture to be used
3. Fix photos before opening template:
4. Add text, if desired. If a picture is not square it will distort using the template. You should shape it first. You will need to start all over if this happens in midst of placing them.

5. For 2 inch circles:
   In Photo Express, click File (at top)
   Open 2 or 3" circles template
   Click on a circle and a 'button' will appear. Click the button and insert the picture to be printed. Continue untill all are chose. If using the same photo throughout, just copy/paste them in.

6. PRINT: On the side in Photo Express, click the "Finish" icon
  Under "Options" center your page. This is important or they won't print inside the circles.

7. Make Roll-Out Sugar Cookies and Fondant Icing (see recipes below).
8. Spread icing on cookies using an 8" angled spatula.
9. Remove the frosting picture from the backing and place it on the iced cookie before the icing crusts.

PRINTER INFORMATION

Creating Edible Pictures
To design and print your own frosting sheets:
· All supplies available at http://www.sugarcraft.com  on this page, here
· You must have a dedicated printer that is used only for edible items due to the risk of contaminating food.
· A printer kit from Sugarcraft may contain edible frosting sheets and circles.
· You will need a graphic design program. If you want to use your own photos, you may need a photo-editing program that allows you to crop and touch up digital photos.
· Scan, convert, resize, fix color, anipulate your pictures using PHOTO EXPRESS. Just open Photo Express, press START, then at the top, press SCAN. Resize here. Finalize your scan and it pops into Photo Express for printing.
· You can create the frosting sheets well in advance of the cookie preparation, as sheets so not require refrigeration.
· You can use the templates to create other border prints of your own creation too. Thats fun.

Grahics credit Print Artist....printartist.com (My favorite!)
NOTE: If you are out of time or unable to add a dedicated frosting printer to your computer crafting arsenal, frosting circles can also be ordered from http://www.sugarcraft.com or by dropping off your photo to Sugarcraft for local customers. Sugarcraft will create unique frosting sheets for you using your own photos or non-copyrighted graphics. Frosting sheets are available in several shapes and sizes, including 2" circles, 3" circles, 8" circles, 10" circles, 7 ½ x 10 ½" rectangles, 10 x 16" rectangles and business card size.



Roll-Out Sugar Cookies
These cookies are not too sweet, and just right when iced with the Fondant icing! This recipe makes twelve 2" cookies.
Tip: Use a padded cookie sheet and your cookies won't burn. These (recipe below) cookies should not brown at all. the cookie sheets before re-use.

Recipe:
· 1 cup granulated sugar
· 1 cup butter
· 3 tbsp. milk
· 1 tsp. vanilla
· 1 egg
· 3 cups flour
· 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
· 1/2 tsp. salt
 

Use a middle-sized (2") cookie cutter		 1. Line an 11" x 14" cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl combine the first five ingredients.
3. Add flour, baking powder and salt to mixture. Blend well. Chill dough for easier handling (and less spreading).
4. Roll out dough and cut out cookies with a 2" cookie cutter.
5. Place cookies on the sheet and bake at 350° for 5-8 minutes.

Fondant Icing This is an easy recipe that will get rave reviews! This icing is like that used on petit fours and is good for icing cookies and for decorating. It does crust, but isn't rock hard, so you can stack these cookies. Also, this icing will not take moisture from the cookies like royal icing.

Icing Recipe:
· 10 parts dry candy fondant to 1 part water
Add optional ingredients as desired:
· Food coloring
· Flavoring (optional)

1. Use a small bowl that can be tightly covered. Add water to the dry candy fondant according to the recipe proportion. The icing should be thin enough to flow smoothly but not so thin that it runs off the cookie. If it's too thin, add more dry candy fondant. If it's too thick, add more water.
2. Color or flavor as desired. You can add a little almond flavoring or vanilla extract if you wish.
3. Stir with a fork until no lumps remain. Beating is not necessary.
4. For other decorations or to draw lines or detail, use a decorating bag with a tip #2.
 

An 8" angled spatula makes it easy to spread the icing.

The frosting picture comes off the backing easily. Place the circles on the iced cookie before the icing crusts.


IDEA: Edible pictures work great on chocolate too! Example: Print your message on business card size frosting sheets, place in a business-card shaped candy mold and pour melted coating chocolate over it; chill and unmold. The picture will be firmly attached. These make great gifts for businesses to give as gifts to employees or customers!

Dolores is President of Sugarcraft, Inc. Products are available by mail from www.sugarcraft.com. Need help with your cookies? E-mail us.