Gnome Sweet Gnome

I really wanted to take a picture of one of these gnome cookies on my cooktop and title it "Gnome on the Range," but my cooktop was dirty...and you know those days when you put the back of your hand to your forehead and declare dramatically that you just can't do one.more.thing.  I'm embarrassed to say that happened.

So, could you picture it in your head?  Thanks.

You might remember back over a year ago that I made some Elf on the Shelf cookies?  I used a template (one of my favorite cookie decorating tricks).  Even though it's a great trick, let's be honest; using a template takes about 5 times as long as a cutter.  So, when superfabulous blog reader Dale MADE COOKIE CUTTERS for Elf on the Shelf and another one of my templates, I did a happy dance (and made cookies)!

To make these little Gnomeo's, you'll need:

• sugar cookies made from a gnome template or cookie cutter
• royal icing, divided and tinted with AmeriColor Super Red, Bright White, Sky Blue, Copper/Fleshtone, Chocolate Brown, Egg Yellow & Super Black
• disposable icing bags
• coupler and tips: #2 & #1
• squeeze bottles 
• toothpicks

Use a #2 tip to outline the gnome hat, beard & shirt.

Thin the red, white, blue and copper icings with water, a bit at a time, stirring with a silicone spatula, until it is the consistency of a thick syrup.  (Reserve some of the white icing for piping details later.) You'll want to drop a "ribbon" of icing back into the bowl and have it disappear in a count of "one thousand one, one thousand two." Four is too thick, one is too thin.  Count of 2-3 is good.  Cover with a damp dishcloth and let sit for several minutes.

Stir gently with a silicone spatula to pop and large air bubbles that have formed.  Pour into squeeze bottles as needed.

Fill in the outlines with the thinned icing, using a toothpick to guide to the edges and to pop large air bubbles.

Let the cookies dry at least one hour.

Use #1 tips to add the details: eyes, mouth, pipe. (Alternately, the eyes and mouth can be drawn with a food coloring pen.)

Use the back of a basketweave tip (the smooth side) to pipe the belt, or use a #4 plain tip.  Pipe the buckle in yellow with a #2 tip.

Let dry, uncovered, 6-8 hours or overnight.
(The mushroom tutorial can be found here.)

There's no place like gnome. 

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