How to Make a Christmas Lights Cookie Platter
When trying to come up with a new platter design for the upcoming Christmas season, I knew what I wanted to do, but I just wasn't sure HOW to do it.
The idea of a Christmas lights cookie platter occurred to me after making these connecting Christmas light minis two years ago. I thought it would be pretty rad if I could find a way to arrange the string lights into a ring of some sorts.
Last year, I drew up some sketches, but got frustrated a few times, and gave up on the idea altogether. The idea was always in the back of my mind though.
After giving it another go this year, I think I came up with a design I was happy with. Truthfully, this was one of those designs where I wasn't sure it would turn out until the last decorated cookie piece was in place. Overall, I'm glad I stuck with it and am pretty pleased with the final result. And I hope you are too!
Here's how you can recreate your own Christmas lights cookie platter that will surely bring Christmas cheer to all your party guests.
Cookie Cutters for the Christmas lights Cookie Platter
Recently added to the shop is this Christmas Lights Platter cookie cutter set.
This Christmas Lights Platter cookie cutter works along with a center 3.5″ circle cookie cutter. You can purchase both cookie cutters together, or as a single piece without the circle cutter if you already own one.
(This is the same circle cutter used in these Snowflake set, Sunflower Set, and Floral Wreath.)
When arranged as a "connected" string light design, as shown in the example picture, the platter measures 12 inches in diameter.
Template for the Christmas Lights Cookie Platter
To ensure the string of lights line up and "connect" properly, I highly recommend utilizing the free template I provide.
I made a PDF template of all the new Christmas designs, including this Christmas Lights cookie platter. (The file is 3 pages long, with the platter template on the last page.)
You can download the new 2018 Christmas cookie templates HERE.
If you have a Kopykake or Pico projector, just print it out (or pull it up on your mobile device) and you are good to go. For those without a projector, follow the suggested steps below by tracing the design onto the cookie with an edible food marker.
The Decorating Process
To decorate this Christmas Lights Cookie Platter, you will need the following suggested colors:
- Red piping and flood icing (I used Americolor Tulip Red.)
- Blue piping and flood icing (I mixed two parts Americolor Teal and one part Americolor Sky Blue.)
- Green piping and flood icing (I mixed equal parts Americolor Egg Yellow and Americolor Mint.)
- Gray piping icing (I used Americolor Ash.)
- White flood icing (I used Americolor Bright White.)
Step 1
After baking each Christmas light bulb piece, some of the cookies may have spread or their edges may have rounded. To ensure the pieces fit properly and closely together on a platter, you might have to use a microplane grater. This tool will help straighten the edges back up again.
Step 2
After straightening the edges, give the cookies a test run by assembling the platter to ensure everything fits into place.
I assembled the platter on a 12" pizza pan dish I got from the Dollar Tree store.
Step 3
Once you're happy with how the cookies fit on the platter, begin by outlining and flooding all the cookie pieces with white royal icing.
Let the icing set up and dry for about 1 hour.
Step 4
Next, use a projector or a template (I used quilting template plastic for this example.) to mark where the bulb outline and the wire should be.
For this tutorial, I used a blue food marker so it can easily be seen in these photos. However, I recommend marking your guidelines with a scribe tool so the markings are more discreet or unseen.
Step 5
Begin by outlining and flooding the Christmas light bulb area of the cookie, using the template marks as a guide.
Then, while the icing is still wet, quickly add a white reflection detail.
Step 6
Lastly, with a #2 icing tip, add a gray line of icing over the wire guideline.
Let the icing set a bit, then add the bulb base in between the bulb and the wire, as shown.
For the center circle cookie, I added the phrase "Merry and Bright" using my pico projector. (You can see how I piped a similar message in this sunflower platter tutorial.)
I included the center message graphic in my PDF template file. However, for reference, if you would like to create your own message in the same font, I used the Neato font to create this one.
This is just the first of a few more Christmas tutorials that we have lined up. If you like this platter, you may like these Christmas coal cookies! Please check back soon for more fun and festive holiday ideas!
