Palm Tree Cookies with Coconuts

I love adding texture to cookies. Texture introduces a new dimension to an otherwise flat cookie. Don't get me wrong- there's great beauty (and great skill!) in making a perfectly flat, flooded cookie. But my heart will always be drawn towards texture. And an added bonus of textured decoration? It can hide flaws in your icing! 

So when I had the chance to make a new set of palm tree cookies I knew I wanted to bring some texture to the palm tree party. Read along to see how fun these textured palm trees can be!

What you'll need:
* palm tree shaped cookies 
* Royal icing in the following colors/ consistencies:
     Brown: 20-22 second
     Green: piping, 20 second
* brown sanding sugar
* brown petal dust (I used this Wilton petal dust. It's cheap, lasts forever, and you can use a store coupon on it!)
* paint brush (I have this Wilton set)

You'll also need an edged tool to make the creases in the palm tree trunk. I like the curved edger from Sweet Sugarbelle, but you could also use the edge of a cookie cutter or even a spatula or knife.

1. Bake your cookie tree shapes. Flood the trunk of the tree with the brown icing. Wait about 5 minutes. Then use the edger tool to gently crush the surface of the icing, creating creases in the tree trunk. If the icing smooths back over, wait a few more minutes and try again.

Here's a quick video of the process.

2. After piping the palm fronds, use the petal dust to enhance the creases on the tree trunk. Load the paint brush with the petal dust and buff it into each crease. 

3. Use the green piping consistency icing to pipe a vein on the fronds.

4. Coconut time! Use the brown icing to pipe as many coconuts as you want. Wait a minute or so. Then cover the coconuts with the sanding sugar. Shake off the excess.

I love the pop of texture that sanding sugar brings to a cookie!

Palm tree cookies make great additions to lots of party themes- luaus, dinosaurs, and of course beach themes! Check out this post on how to make the awesome beach scene below!