How to Create Realistic Wood Grain with the Best Rolled Buttercream Recipe for Cookies
Mastering a wood-grain technique on your cookies is a must. The pattern reappears in many popular themes ordered by my customers; forest animal themes, camping cookies and baseball bats, just to name a few! Plus, if you’re following along with my Nutcracker YouTube series, this tutorial is the perfect companion as we craft our giant Nutcracker frame.
If I hadn't of made this frame myself, I'd have a hard time believing hat this was actually buttercream cookies! In fact, my mom came over while I had this project out and she didn't realize they were cookies until I showed her!
The recipe for our favorite (and best) vanilla rolled buttercream is so easy to make and it's really easy to work with. You might also hear this type of icing referred to as "buttercream fondant" or "RBC" which is short for Rolled Buttercream. Rolled Buttercream tastes way better than fondant even though it is similar to work with.
Step 1: Make Your Rolled Buttercream
Here’s my tried-and-true recipe for rolled buttercream that’s not only easy to work with but tastes incredible. (Recipe below!)
Step 2: Prepare Your Cookies and Color the Buttercream
Choose the tone of wood you want your cookies to mimic—light oak, rich mahogany, or classic walnut. Imagine the wood without any of the grain, what color would it be?
Tint your rolled buttercream using gel food coloring in shades of brown/ivory/orange/red. Mix to a solid, even color.
Step 3: Roll Out and Apply Buttercream
Roll your buttercream to about 1/8-inch thickness. I recommend freezing before you try to pick it up to place on your cookies. Those 2 minutes in the freezer, will be worth it when applying rolled buttercream! "Glue" your RBC on with a smear of thinned buttercream, royal icing or corn syrup.
Let your buttercream-covered cookies dry for a few hours, or until the surface crusts. The buttercream will be completely dry to the touch and firm but it will dent in if you apply too much pressure.
If you're more of a visual learner, like myself, I've included my youtube video detailing the entire processs of making this faux wood planks.
Step 4: Paint the Wood Grain
This is where the magic happens!
Use a fan brush (the secret to those natural wood grain lines) and a few shades of brown edible food paint.
Lightly dab your brush into some color and sweep it across a paper plate or towel to get rid of the excess. Remember, you can always add more color but it's harder to take it away.
With you brush, gently drag the paint in one direction, mimicking the grain of wood.
Add imperfections by lightly dipping your brush into the buttercream and pulling it slightly for those natural knots and streaks.
If your paint isn’t blending well, wet your brush lightly with water, dab off onto a paper towel and then go over the painted lines for a smooth effect.
Bonus Tips for Realistic Wood Grain
Vary Your Strokes: Mix short and long brush strokes to make your wood grain look natural
Rotate your brush. Move your brush in a straight line with the bristles in a fan from left to right and also with the bristles fanned top to bottom.
Layer Colors: Start with a lighter brown base and build depth with darker tones.
Add Details: Use a fine-tip brush for small wood knots or grooves.
Final Touches and Presentation
Once your cookies are dry and the wood grain effect has set, display them on a cookie board for a polished look. These rustic wood plank cookies are perfect for any theme—from Nutcracker holiday parties to rustic weddings and outdoor celebrations! And even as your home decor!
Conclusion
Making wood plank cookies is simpler than you might have thought, and the results are impressive. Whether you're creating a rustic masterpiece or following along with my Nutcracker YouTube series, these cookies are guaranteed to impress. It's a simple cookie decorating technique that looks like a complicated design.
Now that you know how easy it is to make wood grain cookie planks, here is a list of ideas for cookie themes where they will fit perfectly:
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