We’ve had an exciting event at our house.
My daughter declared it one of the best days of her life…she got braces!
So naturally, I made cookies to celebrate!
I’ve made these before, (posted here) for someone else,
but I had to revisit this cookie when it was my daughter’s big day for braces!
I’ve actually had several emails asking me for tips on how to make this cookie, so I took pictures along the way this time to show you the 6 step frosting process. Yes, these aren’t for the faint of heart. They take some dedication, but the results are so fun!
*Here is a link to my recipes and general cookie “how to’s” for beginners. For the red and white frosting, I used a medium-stiff consistency (about a 15 seconds).
*The first time, I cut these cookies out by hand, but this time, I used my mustache cutter, upside down, and bent a little into a smile. 🙂 To make them on sticks, you just need to insert the stick before you bake it, when the dough is still cold and firm, so as not to distort your cookie.
Step 1: Make your red lips, then let these dry for several hours. Red is one of the colors that bleeds a lot, so if I’m piping white right next to it, I make sure it’s good and dry.
Steps 2-5: I start on the bottom because when I started on top, I ended up with a bit of an under bite. And the biggest trick is to do every other tooth, then let it dry for 10-15 min. This makes them look like separate, individual teeth. When I pipe them out, I use a toothpick to drag the corners of the frosting into the best tooth shape that I can make. Then of course let it dry again and start on the top. You can easily “eyeball” where the teeth should go.
Step 6- After all the teeth are dry, I use a stiff consistency icing with a #1/1.5 tip. I draw the two lines for each bracket, then connect them with a wire.
The best news is, the teeth don’t really have to be perfect or straight, because they are getting braces! This is the kind of “fraggle rock” situation that braces can take care of!
Lucky for us, we know a great orthodontist! (Who I just happen to work for!) And yes, I was the obnoxious mom taking pictures every step of the way. This was a very “project life” moment!
We brought these in for the staff and then I sent some to school with her after the appointment, so she could share and celebrate with her friends.
And just for kicks, we took some reverse before and after pictures.
I can’t wait to see the result of the real “after” pictures.
(I’ll be sure to make another brace-less cookie for that picture!)
But until that day, this is one happy girl to be wearing braces!
Those are just adorable, and how wonderful is it that she is excited to get them. My son was in tears when he heard he may need them.
The cookies are amazing, but the smile on your daughter is beautiful…before and after! XOXO
Great idea!
Pure cookie awesomeness.
Thanks Chris! Now if only I could be pure sewing awesomenss like you! It's not helping that my machine has been broken for a long time! 🙁 🙁 🙁
I remember that day! What an awesome brace face treat!
I'm voting you the best mom ev-ahhh! Those are adorable and as usual she is happy about everything in life, even getting braces. Love her!
You're such a great mom. I'll keep this in mind as I have a few who will for sure need braces in the coming years.
Do you constantly have a group or two of cookies you are working on? I don't know how you continually pump out such amazing, time consuming cookies. Do you have a cookie corner or room you keep it all in? My husband would go crazy if I always had cookies out laying around.
Kalleen! Not constantly, but pretty often! My husband does go crazy, but he's learned to tolerate it and I've learned to keep my messes as contained as possible! 🙂
These are absolutely wonderful cookies and what a sweet idea to celebrate getting braces. Your daughter could not look any happier or cuter! Paula @VanillaBeanBake
Those cookies are sooo cute! Your daughter is even cuter. 🙂 I remember how excited I was too- it makes it so much easier, doesn't it? Now I have a daughter who can't wait to get them- I should probably start practicing these cookies now!
http://underthebeetree.blogspot.com
SUCH a cute idea! I love these. They look so perfect!
Amy
fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com
Hey! I've been creeping around your blog for a while and love it! My question is: how did you add the custom pinterest button that link to your pinterest? I have a design, but don't know how to do it.
If you can tell me how to do it, thanks in advice!
Hi! I just made that "button" as an image in photoshop, then added it to my sidebar as a "picture." Then I linked that picture to the url of my pinterest page. I hope that helps!
Absolutely precious! Wow! I love the pictures you took, too!
Oh my goodness Ashleigh, these are the BEST cookies ever! I'm so glad you included a tutorial! I am going to make some for a co-worker (a young mom) who will be getting her braces off soon:) I did make some Jack o' lantern (with braces) cookies for our orthodontist when we had our final appointment with him, five years ago, during October. With three kids needing braces (and myself), we had been going to him for 18 years!
You are lucky that your daughter is happy about it(She looks adorable with her braces)! Though my kids all love their teeth now, they were not thrilled to be getting braces:)
Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog…it made my day! 🙂
OMG, These are so cute! Do you sell these? Please let me know if you would be interested in selling some of these.
SOOOO creative! you never stop do you. really you are so talented