I'm just a hobby baker and don't generally do cookies, so I have a question about a clear, thin icing that is applied to the cookies. Yesterday, I bought my son some cut-out sugar cookies and te top of the cookie is brushed with what appears to be a clear coating of sugar (maybe). There are colored sugar crystals mixed-in the clear coating and then the cookie is decorated on top with basic outlining. It tastes so good! Anyone know and care to share how to make this clear coating?

Do you have a picture? I'm so visual !

My guess would be a simple syrup of sorts, brushed on ("frosted") then while it was wet the sprinkled with the sugar crystals.
Basic outlining completed once dried.

Could it be piping gel or very thin powdered sugar/milk glaze?

Here's the pics of the 2 remaining cookies....the rest of the bag is just crumbs [[/img]

CC cut me off before posting the other cookie.

If you just add water to powdered sugar you can make a nice thin coating on a cookie that will dry firm and add some sweetness as well, the piped designs look to be just regular royal icing.


I've also brushed cookies with corn syrup to adhere non pareils like in the photos, and it dries clear and not tacky to the touch, but judging by the drip on the corner of the one cookie it looks to be VERY thin royal or just ps w/ water made to be a thin coating.

I wonder if it was like a milk/ps glaze on it. And if you baked the glaze on top it would crust over a little like if you made a glaze for cream cheese danish.

This is how a local bakery does their cookies: They brush on a thin coat of melted lemonade concentrate, then lightly dust with sugar. Yumm!

Gemini,
Does the bakery apply lemonade and sugar before or after baking? I'm thinking it would be too sticky and wet if they do it after baking, but I'm probably wrong.

[quote="KHalstead"]If you just add water to powdered sugar you can make a nice thin coating on a cookie that will dry firm and add some sweetness as well, the piped designs look to be just regular royal icing.quote]

I think you are right! I really tried to pay attention as I SLOWLY ate and savored the cookie. I'm going to try that next time!

Thanks for the input everyone!

That lemonade thing sounds great. I wonder if it would work with other concentrates as well?