Say it with more sweetness this Valentine's Day with these Conversation Heart Cookies from Confection Couture!
Here's what you'll need:
- Conversation Heart Cookie Stencils
- Sugar cookies made with the following:
- 2" Heart Cookie Cutter
- AirGenie Airbrush System
- Cookie Magnets
- Quadrant Masking Tool (x2)
- Stencil Genie
- Screen Genie
- DecoPac Airbrush Food Coloring
- Midnight Black
- Periwinkle
- Dusty Mermaid
- Malibu Blue
- Honey
- Petal Pink
- Paper Towels
First step is, of course, baking and icing your cookies.
Airbrushing the Background Colors
Thoroughly shake your bottle of Honey DecoPac Airbrush Food Coloring and then pour 5-6 drops into your AirGenie Airbrush System tool reservoir. Always test out your spray on a stack of paper towels or white sheet of paper prior to airbrushing each color and each cookie. Adjust the flow as necessary by turning the knob on top of the unit.
Apply the color using numerous light coats, rotating the cookie periodically to ensure even coverage around the edges. Once finished, place this cookie aside by picking it up using the bottom edge.
Repeat this step for all yellow cookies.
Cleaning the Airbrush Tool
Prior to loading a new color into the airbrush tool, you'll need to clean it. Disconnect it from the hose and rinse out the reservoir 4 or 5 times. Next, reattach the hose, fill the reservoir with water, and run the machine on full power until empty. Repeat this step, once more with water, and then a third time using an inexpensive 100-proof vodka.
Finishing Up the Background Colors
Load some Periwinkle into the airbrush tool and color all of the purple cookies.
Repeat the above steps for all of the Dusty Mermaid cookies.
Do the same for Malibu Blue.
Finish up the background colors using Petal Pink.
Stenciling
Now, load some Midnight Black into a clean airbrush tool. For each cookie, choose your stencil design. Next, separate the two halves of the Stencil Genie and place the thicker portion (or thinner portion, if your cookies are thinner) down on your work surface with the magnets facing up.
Place the stencil with the chosen design centered within the square. Use two Quadrant Masking Tools to protect the areas of the cookie surrounding the stencil design.
Next, add the Screen Genie over the top and then lock it all together using the other half of the Stencil Genie. Now position the entire assembly over the cookie.
Use cookie magnets to help press the stencil flat against the cookie's surface. Add a stack of three or four wherever extra pressure is needed.
Now, test out the spray and airbrush the design through the stencil onto the cookie.
Repeat the above steps the next cookie and stencil element.
Cleaning the Stenciling Tools
It's a good idea to periodically clean your stencil tools throughout this process. For the stencils and quadrant masking tools, simply rinse them under a faucet or soak them in a bowl of clean water.
The Screen Genie should be wiped down in between cookies using a paper towel. For a more thorough cleaning, rinse it under a faucet or turn it over and spray water through the mesh using a chemical-free spray bottle.
Dry everything completely using paper towels or a lint-free towel.
Completing the Stencils
Proceed with stenciling the other designs.
Your Conversation Heart Cookies are now complete and ready to spread the word of love this Valentine's Day!
