Yesterday, I tried to make a cookie bouquet and I used Royal icing and stuck the sticks onto the back of the cookies on top of the glob of Royal icing and waited like forever and it felt like they were quite firm. So I put them in the floral foam and one by one they started falling off. Is there anyway I can know they are ready and/or is there something else I can use? I would like to be able to make cookie bouquets, but obviously I need help.

I stick bamboo skewers into the cookies - it can be done before cooking or after. I prefer to do it after, as soon as the cookies come out of the oven, and by the time they've cooled down, the skewers are firm. If there are any that are a bit loose, just pipe a little royal icing into the hole and leave to dry.

there are some really good tutorials on karenscookies.net and she has a lot of cutters you can buy that are really cute

Sometimes I "glue" mine onto the back. But I wait for 24 hrs before picking them up. The best way is to insert before baking

Sometimes I "glue" mine onto the back. But I wait for 24 hrs before picking them up. The best way is to insert before baking

I put the cut out cookie onto the stick and then back them. After they are cooled, I then put the royal icing on the back over the stick for extra glue strength. Then I let that dry overnight or longer if needed before I put them in the bouquet. Haven't had one fall off yet.

i cut my cookies a bit thicker and insert a thin bamboo skewer twisting slightly then bake-haven't had a prob-if the stick pops out a bit of the back you just form a small dough ball and pat it on then bake. i let mine set at least a day before trying to make the bouquet that way they have plenty of time to dry and firm up. no falling off yet hope that helps

I insert before baking. Then I gently press the cookie dough onto the stick so make sure it's all stuck together well. Never have loose sticks.

I had problems when I tried inserting the stick before baking- so I always do it after now. And I use regular lollipop sticks, just stick em in right after they come out of the oven. If any feel like they are loose, I just pipe a little royal icing on them around the edge. No problem!

I've also heard of people using a little corn syrup before they stick the sticks in to keep them sticky (I wonder if I could fit one more "stick" in that sentance?) I've never done it, but have heard of it!

The first time I made these I rolled the dough out a bit thick then stuck a bamboo skewer half way into the cookie then bake. They seem to stay firm that way for me. Here's how mine turned out http://keeshinhd.blogspot.com/search/label/Recipes

Louise has an excellent tutorial on this on her blog cakejournal.com: http://www.cakejournal.com/archives/how-to-make-a-cookie-lolly