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    Home » Blog

    Paint Pallet Sugar Cookies Tutorial

    Published: Jan 26, 2021 by Heidi Fowler. This post may contain affiliate links 44 Comments

    It's time for another art party project post: Paint Pallet Sugar Cookies!

    Paint Pallet Sugar Cookies {Perfect for an Art Party} OneCreativeMommy.com

    A few days before Boo's Art Party, I came across a post by J at WhatHappensAtGrandmas.com. She posted about a fantastic Clothesline Art Show that she organized for her grandchildren.  Not only was the entire Art Show idea fantastic, but there was this great little treasure hidden toward the end of the post--paint pallet cookies!  I knew they'd be perfect for Boo's party.  I contacted J and found out that she used a cookie cutter to shape her cookies.  Since I didn't want to spend more money, and I didn't have time to wait for the cutter to come in the mail, I had to get creative!  Here's what I did:

    Paint Pallet Sugar Cookie Instructions

    1. Prepare your favorite recipe of sugar cookie dough, and roll it into a tube.  (I used a cookie mix from Betty Crocker--it was the night before the party, and I still had tons of projects to finish!  Turns out that Betty Crocker makes yummy sugar cookies!)  Refrigerate the dough for about 10 minutes so that it will keep its shape as you work with it.
    2. Use some type of rod (I wrapped my knife sharpener in paper towels) to press a dent into the top of the dough.  This dent will mimic the notch in the paint pallet.  Make your dent much larger than you think it should be.  I made mine just the right size--but it shrank when the cookies baked.  I should have made it deeper.  Refrigerate the dough again so that you can cut it.
    3. Slice the dough into ¼" cookies and lay the shapes on a cookie sheet.  (Grease or don't grease the pan--depends on your recipe.)  Use a wooden skewer (the kind for grilling) or a flattened straw to poke a hole into the dough just above the notch.  Again, this hole will shrink.  Make it bigger than you think you will need.
    4. Bake the cookies according to your recipe, and allow them to cool before you remove them from the cookie sheet.  If your holes have disappeared, you can quickly make a new hole if you do it immediately after removing the cookies from the oven.  If they start to cool, it's too late to use the skewer.  You may be able to punch a hole with an unflattened straw, though!

    Now the fun part--frosting!

    Frosting for Paint Pallet Sugar Cookies

    If you have fancy bags and tips for frosting . . . thicken your frosting with powdered sugar and go to town.  If not, read on.  You will need zip-top bags, gel food coloring, homemade or store-bought frosting, and powdered sugar.  (I used funfetti frosting because I wanted the sprinkles for the cake.)

    Divide the frosting into five bags (about ¼ cup/bag).  Add a large squirt of food coloring and several large scoops of powdered sugar to each bag.  Seal the bags--letting as much air out of the bags as possible.  (If there is a lot of air in the bag, it will be harder to mix.)  Squish the bag to mix it all up.  (My kids loved this part.)  Continue adding powdered sugar until your frosting is pretty thick.  You could mix the frosting outside of the bags, and then add it when you're ready to frost, but where's the fun in that?  (Besides, then you have more bowls to wash!)

    Cut a very small notch in one of the bottom corners of the ziplock.  It's easy to make it bigger, but impossible to make it smaller!

    Be sure that your cookies are completely cooled, and lay them back out on the cookie sheet or large plate.  Beginning at the top or bottom corner of a cookie, gently squirt a dab or swirl of frosting.  Continue with each cookie, and then move onto the next color.  Repeat with each color, and you are done!

    Paint Pallet Sugar Cookies {Perfect for an Art Party} OneCreativeMommy.com

    I am kicking myself that I forgot to take a picture of the finished plate of cookies.  (I'm certain there is a computer memory card hiding somewhere that includes pics of the finished cookies and of the frosting process.)  They definitely did not turn out perfectly like J's, but the kids loved them anyway, and I thought the homemade, imperfect look was just fine.  They matched the kid's art aprons perfectly!

    Birthday guests wearing the aprons

    Thank you, J, for the inspiration, and for answering my emails.  Your grandchildren sure are lucky to have you!  Be sure to check out whathappensatgrandmas.com for this fantastic Clothesline Art Show.  Here's a little preview:

    Clothesline Art Show from whathappensatgrandmas.com

    Want to see my other art party posts so far? (Images are linked.)

    Art Apron Tutorial with Free Pattern  Jackson Pollock-Style Splash Art
    Easy Flowered Headband Tutorial Pull-String Paint Can Pinata

    Heidi

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    About Heidi

    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    Learn more about me →

    Comments

    1. Joyce

      August 22, 2012 at 5:41 pm

      Heidi, Thank you so much for your generous and kind acknowledgement of my art show!
      You made a wonderful adaptation of the cookies! Your aprons are very clever too, and I can tell by the picture that those little girls had a great time at your creative event. I am going to subscribe now so I don't miss a single idea of yours. We might have to offer the paint can pinata at next year's art show! I love it! And I am always glad to help in any way I can. Bless you!
      Joyce

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        August 22, 2012 at 6:15 pm

        You are so kind! You made my day. Thank you.

        Reply
    2. Gail

      August 22, 2012 at 7:01 pm

      What a great idea. I love the little cookie paint pallets. Great idea. Gail (BibleLoveNotes.com)

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        August 22, 2012 at 7:11 pm

        Thanks so much! I'm on my way to check out your site!

        Reply
    3. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

      August 22, 2012 at 7:24 pm

      Oh my gosh this is awesome! Totally pinned so I can brainwash my daughter into her next birthday theme.

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        August 22, 2012 at 9:04 pm

        I'm glad you like it. I'm headed over to check out your site. Thanks for commenting.

        Reply
    4. Tonna @ Navy Wifey Peters

      August 23, 2012 at 12:12 pm

      cute cookies!

      Reply
    5. [email protected] Family Moments

      August 23, 2012 at 1:47 pm

      These are so cute! And the perfect thing if you're 'art mom' at school!

      Reply
    6. Trish - Mom On Timeout

      August 23, 2012 at 4:05 pm

      What a super fun idea! Love this! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

      Reply
    7. Nicole

      August 23, 2012 at 9:27 pm

      These cookies are so adorable & what a great party theme. This will be perfect for my daughters birthday party ... She Loves painting & crafts :)

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        August 23, 2012 at 9:31 pm

        Be sure to come back. I'll be posting more activities from the party soon. Thanks for visiting and commenting!

        Reply
    8. Nici ~Posed Perfection

      August 23, 2012 at 10:23 pm

      These are adorable! I did an artist themed party for my daughter last year and it was a big hit. I just made an artist pallet cake, but the cookies would have been great to have too. Great job! Have a lovely week!
      Blessings,
      Nici

      Reply
    9. Erin @ Making Memories

      August 24, 2012 at 2:40 pm

      Your cookies are so cool!

      Reply
    10. Stephanie

      August 24, 2012 at 9:08 pm

      LOVE these!!! I've pinned, tweeted and facebook liked them! I've got to make these for my next painting party.
      Thanks for sharing on Chic on a Shoe String
      Stephanie @allartful.com

      Reply
    11. [email protected] Off Friday

      August 24, 2012 at 11:53 pm

      Those are so creative and cute!

      Reply
    12. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

      August 25, 2012 at 5:57 am

      Those are so stinkin' cute! I love how they turned out! Makes me want cookies for breakfast. Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        August 25, 2012 at 7:04 pm

        I think I probably had a few for breakfast!

        Reply
    13. cassie

      August 27, 2012 at 12:17 pm

      i love this idea! SO darn creative! pinning. :)

      Reply
    14. andi winslow

      August 27, 2012 at 3:32 pm

      I love your cookies.....................and what a special grandma who helped all those little girls to such a cookie party ................andi

      Reply
    15. Raejean

      August 27, 2012 at 7:39 pm

      Super cute cookies! I wonder if I can talk any of my kiddos into having an art party?

      Reply
    16. Randomly Fascinated

      August 28, 2012 at 11:30 pm

      those cookies are absolutely adorable! I love the idea of an art party!
      I would love to have you link this up to my linky party! http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/2012/08/friday-fascinations-3-everything-linky.html

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        August 29, 2012 at 12:09 am

        I'm on my way over!

        Reply
        • Randomly Fascinated

          September 04, 2012 at 2:49 pm

          Thanks for linking up to Friday Fascinations! Don't forget to come back and link up to this week's party! http://domesticrandomness.blogspot.com/2012/08/friday-fascinations-4-everything-linky.html

          Reply
    17. Kathryn Griffin

      August 29, 2012 at 9:08 am

      How perfect! Thank you for sharing this at Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

      Reply
    18. Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch

      August 29, 2012 at 10:22 am

      Wow, these look delightful. My little artists would love these. This recipe will be FEATURED on Tasty Thursdays this week on The Mandatory Mooch. I hope you will link up again. The party will be live tonight. http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com

      Thanks, Nichi

      Reply
    19. Crystelle

      August 29, 2012 at 12:24 pm

      How fun!
      I bet those girls enjoyed that party...
      :-)

      Reply
    20. just keep swimming

      August 29, 2012 at 11:16 pm

      We did an art party for my daughter two years ago and it wasn't nearly as cute as this. These cookies are precious!

      I found you at Too Cute Tuesday.

      Reply
    21. Britni

      August 29, 2012 at 11:20 pm

      I LOVE these, Heidi! They are too cute!

      Reply
    22. Jessi @ Practically Functional

      August 30, 2012 at 1:23 pm

      Those are just too cute! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!

      Reply
    23. Evelyn

      August 30, 2012 at 7:46 pm

      Your cookies were featured at Freedom Fridays this week:)

      Thank you so much for sharing at Freedom Fridays:)

      Reply
    24. Kathie

      August 31, 2012 at 11:59 am

      Such a cute and fun idea! I love the "paint" on the pallets! The aprons look awesome too! Thanks for sharing at Gettin' Krafty!

      Reply
    25. Jill

      September 02, 2012 at 12:06 am

      Great idea for those cookies!

      Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
      Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
      Jill @ Creating my way to Success
      http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

      Reply
    26. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes

      September 03, 2012 at 2:36 pm

      These are the cutest thing! You have so many great ideas, Heidi! I have an 11 yr old who is an aspiring artist - he would love these! Thank you for sharing at All My Bloggy Friends last week. I can't wait to see what you share this tomorrow!

      Reply
    27. K @ Claiming Our Space

      September 03, 2012 at 6:30 pm

      Your cookies turned out so cute. Thanks for sharing on Tout It Tuesday. Hope to see you tomorrow!

      Reply
    28. Debi @ Adorned From Above

      September 05, 2012 at 12:32 am

      Hi Heidi,
      This is a great tutorial, and these cookies are so cute. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at
      http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/simple-anti-aging-moisturizer-and.html
      from Wednesday until Sunday.
      Hope to see you there.
      Debi Bolocofsky
      Adorned From Above
      http://www.adornedfromabove.com

      Reply
    29. Susan

      September 05, 2012 at 5:57 pm

      I saw these cookies on Delightful Order's link party. They're absolutely adorable.

      Reply
    30. Evelyn

      September 08, 2012 at 12:24 am

      These clever little cookies were shared on my Facebook Page today:)

      http://www.facebook.com/MyTurnForUs

      Have a wonderful weekend!

      Reply

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    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    More about me →

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