Creating Wedding Gown Cookies: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding gown cookies are a delightful treat to serve at bridal showers or wedding parties. They are buttery, nutty, and crumbly, and can be made in a variety of ways. You can use different types of nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds, and even add your own creative decorations. These cookies are sure to be a hit with your guests and are a fun way to celebrate the big day!

Choosing a wedding dress cookie cutter

When choosing a wedding dress cookie cutter, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the size of the cutter is important. If you're making a lot of cookies, a smaller cutter might be more convenient, but if you're looking to make a statement, a larger cutter might be better. You can find wedding dress cookie cutters in a range of sizes, from as small as 2 inches to as large as 4.9 inches.

Another thing to consider is the shape of the dress. Do you want a strapless dress, a dress with sleeves, or maybe a dress with a unique neckline? There are cookie cutters available in a variety of dress styles, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. For example, you can find cookie cutters for strapless dresses, off-the-shoulder dresses, and even a fishtail skirt dress.

The material of the cookie cutter is also important. Stainless steel is a popular choice because it's durable, corrosion-resistant, and dishwasher-safe. It also has sharp edges for precise cutting. However, if you're looking for something more unique, you might want to consider a copper cookie cutter.

Finally, you might want to think about any additional features that would be useful. For example, some cookie cutters come with impression mats, which can add texture or patterns to your cookies. Others come in sets with multiple dress shapes or with other wedding-themed cutters, such as rings or cakes.

• LILIAO Wedding Dress Cookie Cutter: This 4 x 4.3-inch stainless steel cutter is perfect for wedding or engagement cookies.
• Ann Clark Gown Cookie Cutter: A 5-inch cutter made of stainless steel, it also comes with a recipe card.
• Sweet Cookie Crumbs Princess Dress Cookie Cutter: This 3 x 2.5-inch stainless steel cutter is dishwasher-safe and has sharp edges for precise cutting.
• Wedding Dress Cookie Cutter by SweetToothCookieCo: This Etsy option is perfect if you're looking for a simple wedding dress shape.
• Wedding Dress Cookie Cutter Set #1 by SugarDashCo: Another Etsy option, this set includes multiple dress-shaped cutters, as well as other wedding-themed cutters.

Making the cookie dough

To make the dough for wedding gown cookies, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Butter at room temperature
• Powdered sugar, sifted
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Nuts (such as pecans, almonds, or walnuts)

You may also want to add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or cloves to taste.

Start by toasting your nuts in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and slightly darker. Then, crush them into a fine powder using a food processor or a rolling pin.

Next, mix together your butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer for this step. Then, add in your vanilla extract and beat for another 30 seconds.

Now, it's time to add the dry ingredients. Mix in your flour and salt gradually, increasing the speed back to medium once the dry ingredients start to absorb. Once a dough has formed, stop mixing.

Finally, add in your crushed nuts and mix on low speed until they are incorporated.

Scrape your dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap and flatten it into a disk about 1 inch thick. Wrap it tightly and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or until the dough is firm.

And that's it! You've now got a delicious, buttery cookie dough that's ready to be rolled out and cut into wedding gown shapes.

Preparing the icing

To make the icing for your wedding gown cookies, you'll need to make royal icing. Here's a recipe you can use:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract
• 8 cups of icing sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of pearl luster dust (optional)

Method:

• In a large bowl, mix the meringue powder and water until well combined.
• Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix again.
• Gradually add the icing sugar, mixing thoroughly until all the sugar is incorporated and the icing is smooth.
• If desired, add pearl luster dust to give your icing a subtle shimmer.
• Use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (#2 or #3) to pipe the royal icing onto your cookies.
• Allow the icing to dry completely before storing or serving the cookies.

Feel free to adjust the amounts of extract to suit your taste preferences. You can also divide the recipe to make smaller batches or experiment with adding food colouring to create different effects.

Decorating the cookies

Firstly, you'll need to decide on a cookie cutter. You can buy wedding dress cookie cutters online, and there are a few different styles to choose from. Some are more form-fitting, while others are more flowy and narrow. Choose the style that you prefer or buy a few different ones to mix and match.

Next, you'll need to prepare your icing. A simple royal icing recipe will work well for these cookies. You'll want to make sure the icing is the right consistency for piping and flooding.

Now for the fun part - piping and flooding! Start by outlining the dress shape with icing. Then, fill in the outline with more icing, being careful not to overfill it. Use a toothpick to help guide the icing into any small areas and to pop any air bubbles.

Once the base layer of icing is dry, you can start adding the details. Use a smaller tip to pipe on any desired designs, such as lace, ruffles, or pearls. You can also use luster dust to add a bit of shimmer to the cookies. Get creative and have fun with it!

Finally, let the cookies dry completely before packaging or serving. These wedding gown cookies are sure to impress!

Storing and preserving the cookies

Storing and preserving your wedding gown cookies is a crucial step to ensure they remain fresh and tasty. Here are some detailed tips to help you with the process:

Storing Cookies at Room Temperature

Room temperature storage is ideal if you plan to consume the cookies within a few days. Soft cookies or those filled with cream or frosting are best stored at room temperature. Here's what you need to do:

• Use airtight containers: Keep your cookies in airtight containers, cookie jars, or plastic bags to prevent air exposure and moisture loss.
• Choose a cool, dry area: Place the containers in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or areas with high humidity.
• Layer with parchment or wax paper: Prevent sticking by layering cookies with parchment or wax paper.
• Seal the container properly: Always ensure the container is properly sealed after each use to maintain freshness.

Storing Cookies in the Refrigerator

If you want to store your cookies overnight or for up to two weeks, the refrigerator is a great option. This method is suitable for cookies without fillings or frostings, such as sugar cookies, shortbread, and biscotti. Here's how to do it:

• Use airtight containers or bags: Store cookies in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags to maintain freshness.
• Allow cookies to cool completely: Before placing them in the containers, ensure the cookies have cooled completely to prevent condensation.
• Label containers or bags: Keep track of freshness by labelling containers or bags with the date.
• Store in a specific area: Prevent flavour transfer by storing cookies away from food with strong odours.
• Set the right humidity: Help cookies maintain moisture by setting the refrigerator to a slightly higher humidity level.
• Bring to room temperature before eating: Allow cookies to come to room temperature before consuming to regain their texture and flavours.

Storing Cookies in the Freezer

For long-term preservation, the freezer is your best bet. This method is suitable for almost any type of cookie, including chocolate chip, oatmeal, and peanut butter. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Let cookies cool completely: Before freezing, ensure your cookies are fully cooled to prevent freezer burn.
• Wrap cookies individually or in layers: Use wax paper to wrap cookies individually or in layers to prevent sticking.
• Use airtight containers or freezer bags: Place wrapped cookies in airtight containers or freezer bags to maintain freshness and prevent sticking.
• Label containers or bags: Label with the type of cookie and the date of storage.
• Thaw frozen cookies: To consume, thaw frozen cookies in their sealed container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

General Tips for Storing and Preserving Cookies

• Store different types of cookies separately: Soft cookies can moisten crisp cookies, and flavour profiles can blend, so keep them in separate containers.
• Store cookies in layers: Arrange cookies in a single layer and use parchment or waxed paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Avoid frosting before storing: Frosting can take up fridge space and may not look as neat, so consider frosting after thawing.
• Use the right container: Airtight containers are best to keep air out and maintain freshness.
• Pick the right recipes: Some cookies freeze better than others. Drop cookies, cutout cookies, shortbread cookies, and bar cookies are great for freezing.
• Wait to decorate: Decorations like sprinkles and candies may lose their flavour or consistency in the freezer, so add them after thawing.

Frequently asked questions