Happy Graduate Face Cookies

Sometimes I get a little bored with my cutters.  I have just about every graduation cutter available, I think…but eventually I found myself wanting something a little more than just the average cap or diploma. 

So, I made these…

They were attempt two at a set I made last year.  The problem with the first set, however, was that I used my actual cap cutter and a circle, so they were HUGE…or at least WAY bigger than I like my cookies to be.

So this year, I scaled it down, using these cutters.  You can use any size you like but I used a square fondant cutter {about 2 inches} and a 3 inch round.

Of course, if you happen to own a diamond already, use it =)?

If not, take your little square, and give it a gentle squeeze.

If you want to make a long-haired graduate, be sure to grab an Easter egg cutter.?

This is how I constructed the BOY graduate.

I did the exact same thing to put together my GIRL.
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Bake and you will be ready to decorate.  I personally like to wait a day or so before decorating, however, if you’re in a hurry just make sure they are completely cool and you’re ready to go!
To decorate happy graduate faces you will need:?
  • black outline and flood icing
  • outline and flood icing for hair in the color of your choice
  • candy beads black or colors for eyes
  • food color marker or piping icing for mouth {black or colored}
  • colored piping consistency icing for tassel
First outline the cap.  I went ahead and added sideburns on my boy cookie at this point.

Next, I used twenty-second icing to make a face.  For help with skin or flesh tone icing colors, click {HERE}.

Quickly add black candy beads to make eyes.  You can also personalize these further by using colored beads.
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Next, fill the top of the hat, and the hair on the BOY cookie.
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Let the cookies dry for a while…20-30 minutes, then fill the second section of the cap, add the button and if you are making girl cookies, outline the hair.  You can also use a #2 or #3 tip to make individual strands or curls.
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Let the cookie dry a bit, then add the neck and other details like the nose and tassel.
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At this point it’s best to let the cookie dry overnight or for at least eight hours.  When the cookie is dry, add details such as eyebrows, and a smile.

Now, it may be the girl in me, but I like my girl graduates dressed up, SO I like to give them a little lipstick.  I used a 1.5 tip to add the lips.
To get dimension, I do this in two steps.  I add the top lip, and then after a few minutes, I go back and add the bottom lip.
I’m sad to say, I had to skip the mascara and blush, but I’m working with a crippled arm, and I’m WAY to shaky to be playing cookie beautician.  Feel free to add them if you like.
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One little note.  Make sure the icing you’re using to make lips is on the thicker side…in my laziness, I decided to go ahead and used some thinner leftover icing to start.  BAD idea.  It worked out OK…but my poor blondie looks like the victim of a bad collagen injection =(

And there you have it, happy graduate face cookies…at least I HOPE all your graduates are smiling!
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On that note, congratulations to all of the 2011 high school and college graduates!
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