Love Pun Valentine Cookies

 

 I opted for fun, colorful designs and love puns this year! I enjoyed using traditional red, white, and pink design elements and also creating alternative, unique color schemes. 

 First, I baked sugar cookies and let them cool completely. I like to add a little almond extract (or nutmeg instead if it's Christmas time!) to take my decorated cookies to the next level.

 

I made a batch of Royal icing once I was ready to decorate. Use plastic wrap to cover any icing you're not actively using, because it dries out quickly, and it can take time to mix different colors and consistencies! 

 I used marbling techniques for some of the cookies, by swirling colored food gel in thinned out icing with a toothpick, then dipping the surface of the cookies into the icing. Let the icing dry before piping any additional details on the cookies. I used feathering techniques on other cookies, by piping horizontal stripes, and then using a toothpick to drag the still-wet icing in an alternately up and then down pattern.

 Heart shaped sprinkles, edible pearls, and edible glitter took these cute cookies to the next level! I'm happy with how they turned out.