My goal with these basket cookies......to make them as 3D as possible.
I used three different large shapes......an oval, scalloped oval, and rounded rectangle.
To make them 3D-ish, you'll need the main bottom shape
and a duplicate shape with a half circle/rectangle taken out.
I laid the 2nd layer of dough on top of the main layer.....forming a 3D basket on bottom.
Press the middle portion in to give it a hollowed out look and then make the handle area thicker.
Once baked, outline and flood with brown or white (or color of choice) glaze.
I created texture two different ways.
The two baskets on the left (below)......I waited about 30 min and then
started adding lines of glaze with a 1.5 PME tip making sure the lines did not touch.
Allow the lines to dry for about 30 min and then add crossing (weave) lines.
For the brown rectangular basket, I originally tried to use a texture mat to give it a weaved look.
(see photo above of all three basket cookies....it's the one on the right.)
When it didn't work, I just took my handy cake tester and added weave lines.
The glaze needs to crust for approximately 2 hours before you can achieve this effect.
Give the basket-weaved glaze plenty of time to dry (a few hours).
Now you can add the basket contents.
In this case, I added eggs.
To get a layered effect, add the back eggs (including the underneath area close to the basket).
Allow them to dry for at least an hour.
Then add additional eggs in front.
Dry overnight.
Using Americolor color gels, paint the eggs pretty spring colors.
If desired, you could even add patterns and designs with the gel.
Easter 2014 Cookie Collection