How to attach the sugar paste to the cookies

Sugar paste, also known as fondant, is a popular choice for decorating cookies and cakes. It gives a smooth and professional-looking finish, making your creations look almost too good to eat. One of the most important steps in using sugar paste for cookie icing is properly attaching it to the cookies. In this article, we will guide you through the process of attaching sugar paste to cookies to achieve fantastic results.

Here’s how you can attach sugar paste to your cookies:

1. Gather your supplies:
Before you start attaching sugar paste to cookies, make sure you have all the necessary supplies. You will need sugar paste in various colors, cookie cutters, a rolling pin, a small brush or a water spray bottle, and cornstarch or powdered sugar for dusting your work surface.

2. Prepare your cookies:
Once you have rolled out your cookie dough and baked them to perfection, it’s time to let them cool completely before decorating. Attaching the sugar paste on warm cookies will cause it to melt or lose its shape.

3. Roll out the sugar paste:
Dust your work surface with cornstarch or powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Take a portion of sugar paste and roll it out to the desired thickness. It should be about 1/8 inch thick so that it is easy to handle and doesn’t overpower the taste of the cookie.

4. Cut out shapes:
Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes from the sugar paste that match the size and shape of your cookies. Make sure to cut out the sugar paste slightly bigger than the cookies to allow for some shrinkage during drying.

5. Apply adhesive:
To attach the sugar paste to the cookies, you will need an adhesive. There are two popular options: water or edible glue. Using a small brush, lightly brush the surface of the cookie with water or edible glue. Be careful not to use too much, as it can cause the sugar paste to become too sticky or slide off the cookie.

6. Position the sugar paste:
Carefully lift the cut-out sugar paste shape and position it on top of the cookie. Gently press down on the edges to ensure it adheres to the cookie’s surface.

7. Smooth out any imperfections:
If there are any air bubbles or wrinkles on the sugar paste, gently smooth them out with your fingers or a cake smoother. Be delicate to avoid tearing the sugar paste, but firm enough to eliminate any imperfections.

8. Add additional decorations:
Now that your sugar paste is securely attached to the cookie, you can further enhance the design by adding additional details using more sugar paste, royal icing, or edible markers. Let your creativity shine!

9. Allow drying time:
Let the cookies dry at room temperature for at least 24 hours before packaging or moving them. This allows the sugar paste to harden and set firmly on the cookies, ensuring they won’t smudge or become damaged during handling.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts aren’t flawless. With time and experience, you will develop the skills necessary to attach sugar paste to cookies with ease. Enjoy the process and have fun decorating your delicious creations!