Creative Hibiscus Cookies

So… I bet you’re wondering why I have tropical flowers on the brain, right?  I mean, it’s supposed to be winter, and I guess it might be in some places but here, it’s not.

That’s not the reason I am making hibiscus cookies, though.  These cookies have little to do with the weather, and a lot to do with cookie cutters.

Believe it or not, these are my two all-time favorite hibiscus cutters.  Of course, I didn’t figure it out easily.  Once upon a time, I might have paid $21 dollars for a very large, outrageously hard to figure out, copper hibiscus cutter.

That was many many moons ago, of course, but since I have my St. Patrick’s Day cutters out, I thought I better tell you about it before I forget.  You can thank me for saving you twenty-one dollars later.  In the meantime, this is how I turned a four leaf clover into hibiscus cookies.

To make these cookies you will need:

Begin by outlining the clover with a #3 tip.  It’s okay if you’re messy.  It actually adds to the look of the hibiscus.  Once the cookie is outlined, use white twenty-second icing to create the center of the hibiscus as pictured below.  Let the white set for about 2-3 minutes, then flood the rest of the cookie.  At this point, let the cookie dry completely.  To prevent bleeding, use one of my favorite tools, an oscillating fan.

After the cookie is dry, it will look like this!  Now we’re ready to add petals.

Remember a few weeks ago when my cookie crush, Ali-Bee, came over to teach us the brush embroidery technique?  Well, I have been practicing, and now I am kind of obsessed.  Begin by piping around the smallest petal {the clover stem}.

Then, use a brush to create the look of a petal.  If you need a little help remembering how to do this, click HERE to view the post. It will also lead you to Ali’s video tutorial if you prefer to watch her in action.

Once the petal detail is added, use yellow icing to add the pistil {well at least most of it} to the cookie.  Let dry.

For the next step you can use any type of yellow sprinkle, but I thought coarse yellow sugar would look nice.

Use the yellow icing to pipe a stigma {why I know this, I don’t know} then carefully sprinkle with coarse sugar.

I mixed mine with simple green leaves to give the platter a little pop of color, then I shared them with a very special lady who recently made my day.

For the cutters I used, click HERE or you can often find the plastic Wilton one on EBAY.

For another hibiscus cookie idea, check out Glory’s version, at Glorious Treats.    If you don’t like the clover idea, I’ve also found that this sand dollar cutter from Little Fox Factory works well too.  As a matter of fact, they have LOTS of cutters you NEED.

Well, friends, I guess that’s enough enabling for a Monday.  I am excited for a new week.  I hope everyone has a great day.

Happy Monday!