FIRST COMMUNION COOKIES FOR MAC

My nephew Mac is celebrating his First Communion this weekend. As soon as I saw this picture of the banner they made...

...well, you know where my mind went. Cookies.

I've made First Communion cookies before (decorated a little differently), and posted them on the blog back in 2011. (That post also has pictures from kiddo's First Communion which, oh my gosh, seems like yesterday and was actually EIGHT years ago.)

First Communion Cookies for Mac

Let me walk you through making the cookies. You could always hand-cut your cookies, but I absolutely recommend buying this cutter. So much easier.

First Communion Cookies for Mac

Also, these are DOUBLE-DECKER cookies. Oh yeah. I love a double-decker.

{I really wish you guys could see these in person, because pictures of that red disco dust just doesn't do it justice. Think Dorothy's red slippers.}
To make first communion cookies, you'll need:

cut-out cookies, chalice and host shape and small hearts
royal icing, divided and tinted with AmeriColor Gold, Bright White, Sky Blue, and Super Red
couplers and tips: #2, #4
disposable icing bags
squeeze bottles
toothpicks
meringue powder
small (clean) paintbrush
red disco dust

First, use #2 tips to outline the cookie using white and gold icing. Reserve some of the gold piping consistency icing before thinning.
First Communion Cookies for Mac

Thin the gold and white icings with water, a bit at a time, stirring with a silicone spatula, until it is the consistency of a thick syrup. You'll want to drop a "ribbon" of icing back into the bowl and have it disappear in a count of "one thousand one, one thousand two." Four is too thick, one is too thin. Count of 2-3 is good. Cover with a damp dishcloth and let sit for several minutes.
Stir the icing gently with a spatula, then pour into squeeze bottles. Flood the cookies with the thinned icing, using a toothpick to guide to the edges and pop any large air bubbles. Let the cookies sit for at least one hour.

(Use the same technique to cover the heart cookies in red.)

First Communion Cookies for Mac

With the reserved gold icing, go back over the outline of the chalice.

First Communion Cookies for Mac

Use a #4 tip to pipe a cross with blue icing.

Let the cookies dry uncovered for 6-8 hours, or overnight.

Once the icing is dry, combine 1/2 teaspoon each of meringue powder and water. Use a clean paintbrush to paint onto the heart cookies. Sprinkle on the disco dust and shake off the excess. Use a dry paintbrush to brush off stray sparkles, if desired.

First Communion Cookies for Mac