Leukemia Ribbon Cookies

For those of you who have been following the blog for some time, you know how much I cherish my only niece.  In honor of a special life celebration that we are throwing her this month to celebrate her childhood cancer remission, I chose to make dozens upon dozens of leukemia ribbon sugar cookies for the 100 plus guests that we're expecting.  

I don't think I've ever made any cancer ribbon cookies for anyone, so who better than for my special niece?  Ribbon cookie cutters can be found in several sizes and styles, so it's up to you how large or how small you want your ribbon cookies to be, and if you want them to have the centers cut out or left intact.  I chose the former.

My west coast affiliate cookie crafter, who happens to be my cousin, is also helping out with the sugar cookie favors.  Johanna is becoming extremely adept at making phenomenal sugar cookies, so I am beyond thrilled that she is assisting the family.

Armed with baked and cooled sugar cookies, the royal icing for these cookies should be tinted a deep orange (I use Americolor or Wilton).  The outlines of the ribbons should be piped with a bead of icing using a #3 piping tip as shown, and each should then be immediately flooded with the same royal icing.

I let the flooded cookies sit for a couple of minutes to have the icing set somewhat.  I don't like to flock royal icing when it's completely wet, because fine sanding sugar tends to sink into the cookie.  I like the surface of the icing to be slightly wet and tacky when I dredge with clear, fine sanding sugar. Apply it generously and let the cookies dry completely.  Any excess sugar can be gently brushed off before packaging. 

If you're presenting guests with cookies at a dessert buffet, you can then stack the cookies on cake stands as shown, or you can individually wrap each one in cellophane bags tied with orange ribbons.

These cookies are very special to me because they represent the little warrior who was able to beat cancer at such a young age.  She is my hero through and through.

I must not make this blog post too long because I have a speech to write for my niece's celebration.  How long of a speech should I make, and how much such I say?  This is my first time making a speech in front of such a large crowd so I am a little nervous, but I already have an idea of what I want to say.  

For every child, every adult who has conquered leukemia, who is battling leukemia or who has lost the fight, this blog post is dedicated to you.  

You are very brave.

You are not alone.