Easter is a meaningful time to share joy and creativity — and what better way than making cookies that tell the story of “He Is Risen”! With the He Is Risen PYO Project Kit, you’ll be able to create cookies that are part craft-activity, part edible art. This tutorial will guide you through the full process: from dough to decorated cookie to packaging.
What’s in the Kit & What You’ll Need
Included in the Kit:
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The “He Is Risen” PYO Cookie Stencil (design size approx 2 ¾″ h × 2 ¾″ w)
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Matching Cookie Cutter (approx 3 ¼″ h × 3 ¼″ w)
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Icing Genie tool (a scraper/leveler for stencil icing)
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Bottle of DecoPac Premium Gel Color in Black (to tint the royal icing)
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Coupon for 15% off your next purchase.
You’ll also need:
- Sugar cookie dough (try our Ultimate Sugar Cookie Recipe)
- Roll-out and bake tools (rolling pin, cookie sheet, rack)
- Royal icing (white flooding icing + tinted black icing - check out our Royal Icing Tips and Recipes)
- Stencil Genie Stencil Holder (optional, but may help you hold your stencil in place while you apply the icing)
- Edible paint palette, edible markers, or food-safe brushes + edible colors so your guests or kids can paint the cookies
- Clear bags/ribbon if packaging as gifts or for an event
- A clean flat workspace
Step 1: Bake & Prepare the Cookies
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Roll your dough to a uniform thickness (e.g., ~¼″) and cut using the matching cutter included in the kit.
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Bake the cookies according to your recipe instructions; allow them to cool on a rack until fully cooled — this ensures your icing and stencil design will adhere cleanly.
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Prepare your royal icing in two consistencies:
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Flood icing (white) – thin enough to level smoothly, but not runny.
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Stencil icing (black) – thicker/medium consistency so it spreads under the stencil without bleeding.
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Flood the cookie surface with white icing and allow to fully set/harden (ideally 12-24 hours) so the surface is smooth and ready for stenciling.
Step 2: Position the Stencil & Secure It
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Place the “He Is Risen” stencil over the fully-set white surface of your cookie. The stencil sheet fits standard tools like the Stencil Genie.
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Secure the stencil so it lies flat and will not shift during application (you may lightly tape the edges or hold corners).
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Behind your stencil, you may place a piece of parchment or acetate to catch any excess icing or for easier cleanup.
Step 3: Apply the Black Icing via the Stencil
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Load your black-tinted royal icing (from the kit’s gel color + white base) into a small bowl or directly on the stencil.
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Using your Icing Genie or a small spatula, spread the icing in one direction across the stencil to level it. The design instructions emphasize a smooth, single fluid motion to avoid smearing.
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Apply slightly more icing than you think you need, then gently remove the excess using the Icing Genie – this helps ensure full coverage of the stencil design without bleeding beneath it.
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Lift the stencil straight up (vertically) to avoid smudge or blur.
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Allow the black icing to set completely (until dry to the touch) before moving on.
Step 4: Offer the “Paint Your Own” Activity
Once your stenciled cookies are fully dry, you can transform them into a “Paint Your Own” interactive treat:
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Provide each cookie with an edible paint palette (e.g., petri-style tray with small wells of edible food colours) and a food-safe brush or a clean edible marker.
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Package the cookie and palette together (e.g., clear bag + ribbon) to present as a gift, a Sunday school activity, or an Easter basket treat. The kit instructions highlight this as a fun outcome.
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Kids, guests or recipients can now paint the cookie, adding their own colours within the black outline of the stencil design — making each cookie unique and memorable.
Step 5: Package and Present
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Once everything is dry and painted (or ready to be painted), place the cookie in a flat clear cellophane bag.
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Insert the palette and brush behind the cookie so the stencil design remains visible.
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Tie off with a thematic ribbon (e.g., pastel, Easter colours, or a cross motif) and add a tag if you wish (“He Is Risen cookie kit”, “Paint Your Own Easter cookie”).
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These make excellent treats for church events, children’s ministry, family gatherings, Easter baskets, or as a bake-sale item.
Tips & Troubleshooting
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Stencil still shifting? Use low-tack tape at corners or hold the stencil edges while spreading icing.
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Black icing bleeding under stencil? Make sure it’s thick enough and your base icing is fully dry and smooth.
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Uneven surface under stencil? The flood layer must be completely set; any wet spots will cause bleed or uneven edges.
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DIY palettes: If you want to go budget-friendly, you can make small palettes by combining gel colours + clear alcohol (to make paint) and tiny brushes.
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Storage of stencils: Clean your Mylar stencil with warm soapy water, air-dry flat, and store in a protective album so it lasts for many uses.
Final Thoughts
The He Is Risen PYO Project Kit offers a fun, meaningful way to engage with Easter through edible art and creativity. Whether you’re preparing for a church gathering, holiday party, or gifting treats to friends and family, this project spans cookie decorating skills, interactive fun, and beautiful presentation. With the structured steps above, you’ll be able to deliver both a polished outcome and a playful experience.