Materials: All available (center column) HERE - Replacement parts too.
· Dedicated printer, buy locally from the list HERE There are basically 2 types of Cannon bubble jets you can use with these food coloring cartridges: 1. one listed that holds one cart. for all colors plus black. 2. One listed there that has one cartridge for each color plus black. You cannot use any printer that is not on the list at the link above. The food coloring cartridges won't fit into other Cannon printers (nor other makes).
· Edible frosting cartridges or preprinted frosting circles
· Sheet of 2" edible frosting circles
· Roll-out sugar cookies
· Fondant cookie icing
· 2-1/2" round cookie cutter
· Cookie sheet
· Parchment paper, for easy cleanup
· Christmas candy sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:
1. Open a blank 8-1/2" x 11" design area in your graphic design program.
2. Draw a 2" circle with no fill and a thin outline.
3. Copy and paste the circle 11 times. Arrange the 12 circles on the page to match the circles the placement of the frosting circles on the sheet.
4. Insert a graphic or a digital photo in the circle. Add text, if desired.
5. If you want all the cookies to look the same, copy and paste the design into each additional circle. Otherwise, repeat step 4 for each cookie.
6. Save the file. Test print on a sheet of paper. Check alignment and make adjustments in the file if necessary.
7. Print on frosting sheet per manufacturer's instructions.
8. Make Roll-Out Sugar Cookies and Fondant Icing (see recipes below).
9. Spread icing on cookies using an 8" angled spatula.
10. Remove the frosting picture from the backing and place it on the iced cookie before the icing crusts.

Creating Edible Pictures
To design and print your own frosting sheets:
· All supplies available at http://www.sugarcraft.com  on this page, here
· You must have a dedicated printer that is used only for edible items due to the risk of contaminating food.
· Conversion kits, or cake printing systems are available for Cannon bubble jet printers, which have print heads that are separate from the ink cartridges. A kit consists of new print heads, edible frosting cartridges and frosting circles, and may also include CDs with images.
· Purchase edible frosting cartridges, available from http://www.sugarcraft.com or Sugarcraft, Inc. at 2715 Dixie Hwy., Hamilton, Ohio 45015
· You will need a graphic design program. If you want to use your own photos, you may need a photo-editing program that allows you to crop and touch up digital photos.
· Scan, convert, resize, fix color, anipulate your pictures using PHOTO EXPRESS. Just open Photo Express, press START, then at the top, press SCAN. Resize here. Finalize your scan and it pops into Photo Express for printing.
· If you want to print circles, first it must be small enogh to get the correct amount on the sheet. Then press FINISH then at top, choose PRINT and TILE.
· You can create the frosting sheets well in advance of the cookie preparation, as sheets so not require refrigeration.

Grahics credit Print Artist....printartist.com (My favorite!)
NOTE: If you are out of time or unable to add a dedicated frosting printer to your computer crafting arsenal, frosting circles can also be ordered from http://www.sugarcraft.com or by dropping off your photo to Sugarcraft for local customers. Sugarcraft will create unique frosting sheets for you using your own photos or non-copyrighted graphics. Frosting sheets are available in several shapes and sizes, including 2" circles, 3" circles, 8" circles, 10" circles, 7 ½ x 10 ½" rectangles, 10 x 16" rectangles and business card size.
 

Roll-Out Sugar Cookies
These cookies are not too sweet, and just right when iced with the Fondant icing! This recipe makes twelve 2" cookies.
Tip: Use a padded cookie sheet and your cookies won't burn. These cookies should not brown at all. the cookie sheets before re-use.

Recipe:
· 1 cup granulated sugar
· 1 cup butter
· 3 tbsp. milk
· 1 tsp. vanilla
· 1 egg
· 3 cups flour
· 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
· 1/2 tsp. salt
 

Use a middle-sized (2") cookie cutter

1. Line an 11" x 14" cookie sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl combine the first five ingredients. 3. Add flour, baking powder and salt to mixture. Blend well. Chill dough for easier handling (and less spreading). 4. Roll out dough and cut out cookies with a 2" cookie cutter. 5. Place cookies on the sheet and bake at 350° for 5-8 minutes.

Fondant Icing This is an easy recipe that will get rave reviews! This icing is like that used on petit fours and is good for icing cookies and for decorating. It does crust, but isn't rock hard, so you can stack these cookies. Also, this icing will not take moisture from the cookies like royal icing.

Icing Recipe:
· 10 parts dry candy fondant to 1 part water
· Food coloring
· Flavoring (optional)

1. Use a small bowl that can be tightly covered. Add water to the dry candy fondant according to the recipe proportion. The icing should be thin enough to flow smoothly but not so thin that it runs off the cookie. If it's too thin, add more dry candy fondant. If it's too thick, add more water.
2. Color or flavor as desired. You can add a little almond flavoring or vanilla extract if you wish.
3. Stir with a fork until no lumps remain. Beating is not necessary.
4. For other decorations or to draw lines or detail, use a decorating bag with a tip #2.
 

An 8" angled spatula makes it easy to spread the icing.

The frosting picture comes off the backing easily. Place the circles on the iced cookie before the icing crusts.

IDEA: Edible pictures work great on chocolate too! Example: Print your message on business card size frosting sheets, place in a business-card shaped candy mold and pour melted coating chocolate over it; chill and unmold. The picture will be firmly attached. These make great gifts for businesses to give as gifts to employees or customers!

Dolores McCann is President of Sugarcraft, Inc. Products are available by mail from www.sugarcraft.com. Need help with your cookies? E-mail Dolores at proicer@one.net.