The Crafted Cookie Giveaway and Author Quick Bites

Enter our US/worldwide giveaway to win one of four copies (3 copies provided by the publisher US and 1 copy provided by EYB worldwide) of The Crafted Cookie: A Beginner’s Guide to Baking & Decorating Amazing Cookies for Every Occasion by Anne Yorks.

Illustrious cookie artist Anne Yorks of the celebrated The Flour Box is here to teach you to decorate professional quality cookies at home. Cookie decorating has reemerged as a trendy, accessible hobby for home bakers, and this book helps home bakers to master frosting with royal icing right in their own kitchens! Anne has been selling bakers the tools and tutorials to make their cookie decorating dreams come true for a decade and this cookbook let’s readers take all of her expertise home.

This book is the ultimate royal icing resource full of foolproof techniques and customized designs to help home bakers learn to outline, flood and embellish their adorable cookie creations. Anne cuts out all the unnecessarily fussy steps and so you can get to the exciting part of cookie decorating.

With 50 fun designs, you’ll have all the inspiration and instruction you need to make a platter full of amazing cookies for any holiday or party! From classic Christmas cookies like Santa and elves to ghosts and candy for Halloween, and even presents and cakes for birthdays, you can make every celebration a little sweeter.

Our takes you inside this title to give you an idea of the projects you will find here along with step-by-step photos to guide you along.


The author was kind enough to answer a few questions for our members.


Anne Yorks is the founder of The Flour Box, one of the top online resources for cookie decorating supplies and tutorials. Anne is the instructor of three in-depth Craftsy classes, teaches monthly online classes and hosts in-person classes. As a self-taught baker and cookie artist, Anne is passionate about helping home bakers find joy and purpose through cookies. Anne lives in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, with her husband and two daughters.

Q: What first triggered your interest in baking? Your first baking memory?

A: I grew up baking with my mom. She was a single mom who worked two jobs, and so our time in the kitchen was really special. We baked lots of different types of cookies, but we loved to make cut-outs at Christmas. We would nibble on the dough and take some licks of icing. It was just so much fun! We decorated our cookies with buttercream and lots and lots of sprinkles! My mom would always let us have cookies for breakfast on Christmas morning. It’s a tradition that I continue with my daughters today!

Q: If you had to describe your baking style, what would it be?

A: My cookie decorating style is whimsical and approachable. I love decorating cookies with royal icing because you can create interesting designs with tons of dimension and interesting textures. I strive to keep the color palettes of my platters cohesive and simple. I create each of my platters with one feature cookie and several accent cookies to have a well-balanced decorating experience.

Q: Are you a cookbook collector? If so, tell us about your collection?

A: I love cookbooks, cake and cupcake decorating books, and of course cookie books! I use them to get inspired by the photos and recipes! I use my cookbooks regularly to try new flavors and dishes. My family became much more adventurous in cooking during the quarantine and we have toured the world trying international dishes. We discovered a love for Indian food!

Q: What is the best part of your job? Do you sometimes feel like working with food all day keeps you from wanting to get creative in the kitchen?

A: My favorite part of the cookie decorating process is designing the cookies! I start by tracing the cookie cutter and use colored pencils to think through each design on the platter. This serves as a roadmap when I’m ready to jump into the decorating. Sketches help me figure out how much of each icing color to make and help me to determine the order of the decorating steps.

Q: What is your go to for a quick dinner? Or quick dessert?

A: As a busy mom and business owner, quick dinners are essential on school nights. Our favorite go-to dinner is probably rice bowls. We mix in lots of veggies and we love to use up leftovers and make new creations. This dish never gets old!

When I’m looking to whip up a quick cookie project, I like to make mini cookies! They are a quick and tasty option. I keep the colors to a minimum and use simplified designs. They should come with a warning, though, because you can’t eat just one mini cookie!

Q: Tell us about The Crafted Cookie cookbook.

A: I’m so excited for the release of my new book, The Crafted Cookie! The photos in the book are gorgeous! The step-by-step tutorials feature 50 creative designs arranged into themed platters. Cookie artists of all skill levels will have plenty of inspiration for celebrating all year long. I hope the book inspire bakers to find joy in cookie decorating!

I had the beginner in mind when I wrote The Crafted Cookie. The first section is dedicated to all the things you need to know to decorate cookies with royal icing. I dive into icing basics, setting up your decorating space, cookie and icing storage, navigating the cookie process, and so much more! Get my tips on making icing consistencies and coloring your icing!


Special thanks to the publisher for providing three copies of this title in our promotion to US members and EYB is providing one additional copy worldwide. Entry options include answering the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Do you enjoy decorating cookies?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on October 30th, 2021.

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134 Comments

  • matag  on  August 10, 2021

    Love making and eating cookies

  • demomcook  on  August 10, 2021

    I do like to decorate cookies, but must admit I do not make them as intricate as Anne’s. I like to dip in sugars and chocolates.

  • Shelley.b  on  August 10, 2021

    I love baking and decorating cookies. People make it look easy, but I find it hard to get a lot of the details.

  • rchesser  on  August 10, 2021

    I don’t because I so far haven’t got the hang of it.

  • redcurrant  on  August 10, 2021

    I do like decorating but I like eating them plain too

  • amyjay  on  August 11, 2021

    I love decorating cookies! I’m not very good but getting better

  • jr0717  on  August 11, 2021

    No, but I’d like to learn more about it and might enjoy it more if I had a better education on it!

  • kmn4  on  August 11, 2021

    I like decorating cookies, but I would enjoy it more if I was better at it (and had more patience!).

  • mcrimmins  on  August 11, 2021

    I love baking cookies but have never really tried extensive decorating. It would be a good snow day project.

  • ravensfan  on  August 11, 2021

    I enjoy decorating cookies.

  • trudys_person  on  August 11, 2021

    I haven’t tried decorating cookies in years. It used to frustrate me because I couldn’t make them look as good as the pictures, but now there are so many cookbooks and YouTube videos, I think I should try again!

  • BMeyer  on  August 12, 2021

    I’m not very good with icing. I’d like to get better.

  • sarahawker  on  August 12, 2021

    Well I am terrible at decorating but i still look forward to it during the holidays!

  • mgooderham10  on  August 12, 2021

    I don’t have a lot of experience with decorating cookies, but the little I’ve done has been great. I’d love to try more complicated decorations.

  • ljsimmons  on  August 13, 2021

    I love decorating cookies!

  • maci234  on  August 13, 2021

    yes indeed

  • valbuk  on  August 13, 2021

    I make cookies but havent done much decorating so would love to give it a try

  • Plumbobmummy  on  August 13, 2021

    Yes I love baking and decorating cookies, I have so many different shaped cutters

  • roxlet  on  August 13, 2021

    Great opportunity to get into decorating cookies!

  • debbiehb  on  August 13, 2021

    I enjoy decorating cookies.

  • Siegal  on  August 13, 2021

    Yes my kids love decorating especially

  • agreaves19  on  August 13, 2021

    I do enjoy decorating

  • EmilyR  on  August 13, 2021

    Yes! Especially with my kids.

  • Sand9  on  August 13, 2021

    Need a lot more practice – would love to make some Xmas tree cookies with filigree white icing x

  • foodie16  on  August 13, 2021

    I made some gingerbread bunting in the shape of Rudolph and snowmen last Christmas – my first attempt at decorating cookies. I was really pleased by the way they turned out. I haven’t found the time to make any since, though.

  • Jennifer7  on  August 13, 2021

    I do enjoy making and decorating cookies, not too good at it but still like to do it

  • luccio  on  August 13, 2021

    Always interesting to see new ideas for decorating : )

  • Isis1981uk  on  August 13, 2021

    Yes, loads of fun with the kids!

  • RickPearson54  on  August 13, 2021

    Enjoy it, not very good at it.

  • LynnSiprelle  on  August 13, 2021

    I loved decorating cookies. I can’t now; my eyesight has deteriorated with age. But my youngest child, the comics artist, does! I’m hoping to encourage her with a copy of this book.

  • Roosta  on  August 13, 2021

    Yes with the grandchildren

  • stephntran  on  August 13, 2021

    I LOVE decorating cookies, even worked as a professional cake decorator for a few months!

  • satkins08  on  August 14, 2021

    I would decorate more cookies if I knew how to do it correctly

  • bookmark77  on  August 14, 2021

    Not so often as I like them warm.

  • virjeania  on  August 14, 2021

    I like creating simply decorated cookies.

  • bookmark58  on  August 14, 2021

    Try to, but not very good at it.

  • dzm  on  August 14, 2021

    Yes, decorating cookies makes them so special

  • LaurenE  on  August 14, 2021

    I’ve never before decorated a cookie

  • bopper  on  August 14, 2021

    I do, especially those with coconut in

  • avonleajules  on  August 14, 2021

    Love making cookies!

  • youngsvnnhrs  on  August 15, 2021

    I love decorating cookies!

  • Dannausc  on  August 15, 2021

    I’m not good at decorating but I’d like to decorate cookies if I could make them look nice.

  • v.t  on  August 16, 2021

    When I get time, so fun! Lucky I’ve got young daughters, so you have to do it sometimes!

  • feliciakw  on  August 17, 2021

    I need some more practice! But it’s super fun to see improvement every dozen (or two) months!

  • LeMinou  on  August 17, 2021

    Decorated cookies for my kids but not very good at it.

  • Dendav  on  August 17, 2021

    Love baking biscuits , but not decoration so much.

  • ChicagoJen  on  August 17, 2021

    Yes, but they don’t look as good as they taste! I’d like to improve.

  • gilmonster  on  August 17, 2021

    I’m just learning, but I love decorating cookies

  • moralla  on  August 17, 2021

    i’m not great at decorating

  • emi10383  on  August 19, 2021

    I love it

  • kennethjohngilmour  on  August 20, 2021

    I bake and leave the decorating to my wife

  • shaddai88  on  August 20, 2021

    Yes

  • calguire  on  August 20, 2021

    I love decorating cookies but I still have a lot to learn!

  • sarahteertzah  on  August 21, 2021

    I usually leave them plain but I like the look!

  • Tabby72  on  August 22, 2021

    I do, but like my daughter to help!

  • zeenie  on  August 22, 2021

    i love decorating cookies but im not very good at it

  • maria411  on  August 22, 2021

    I do, although i’m not too good at it

  • MarciK  on  August 24, 2021

    Learning to ice cookies is something I’ve wanted to do. My grandma always iced her Christmas cookies, and I miss them. Now I just need to figure out how she made her cookies because they weren’t the normal kind.

  • Natlovesgib  on  August 24, 2021

    I love making cookies;

  • silversand  on  August 25, 2021

    I love decorating cookies. You can be so creative! Though i am in awe of some peoples’ skills (which I certainly don’t have…)

  • lisambb  on  August 25, 2021

    I love decorating cookies but have a love hate relationship with royal icing.

  • Eallen3503  on  August 25, 2021

    I like it but I’m not great at it 😉

  • cellenly  on  August 26, 2021

    I only do designs that don’t have to look exactly a certain way (like marbling). I haven’t graduated to anything beyond that.

  • Rose_Marie_Brintzenhofe  on  August 26, 2021

    Cookies are my favorite dessert to bake. I haven’t learned how to decorate with icing yet but I would love to!

  • Belene  on  August 26, 2021

    I don’t currently decorate cookies, but I’d love to learn

  • InAHealthyKitchen  on  August 26, 2021

    I’d love to learn how to decorate cookies!

  • CookingPerson  on  August 26, 2021

    Yes

  • banba1  on  August 27, 2021

    Not so much — I’m not very good at it! I appreciate the artistry and would love to get better at it, though!

  • jenniferkirn  on  August 29, 2021

    I do, but they look terrible and very, very basic

  • ceejayen  on  August 29, 2021

    Love to try my skills at decorating cookies

  • Breeze81  on  August 31, 2021

    I’m not good at decorating but I’d like to decorate cookies if I could make them look great

  • EmilyR  on  September 1, 2021

    Yes! Especially with my kiddos… we’re steadily improving.

  • Pizzacat13  on  September 2, 2021

    I’ve actually never tried it- it looks scary, but I love baking so am game to give it a go!

  • Cjennings  on  September 3, 2021

    Sometimes

  • DimensionAEB  on  September 3, 2021

    Yes I love decorating, especially cakes and cupcakes.

  • michelle666  on  September 5, 2021

    I love decorating cookies

  • paulo_b  on  September 6, 2021

    definately not my speciality

  • maggz19671  on  September 6, 2021

    Yes absolutely love

  • janv  on  September 6, 2021

    my daughter is the decorator

  • Patoliv1312  on  September 9, 2021

    I do like baking and decorating cookies, especially during the Holidays.

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  September 10, 2021

    I haven’t started decorating cookies yet, just baking them.

  • trustinghim  on  September 11, 2021

    I love decorating cookies

  • Karla123  on  September 12, 2021

    I love decorating cookies, especially during the holidays.

  • Rainbowwitch  on  September 13, 2021

    Love eating cookies more, but yes I do love to decorate them

  • dbranigan27  on  September 13, 2021

    I love decorating cookies!

  • nocona  on  September 15, 2021

    yes i enjoy decorating them and always feel guilty eating them haha!

  • PixieDee  on  September 15, 2021

    I absolutely love decorating cookies, fun thing to do with the children too.

  • babiafi  on  September 16, 2021

    I love decorating cookies. 🙂

  • stulled  on  September 16, 2021

    Decorating cookies is so fun!

  • kaytee75  on  September 18, 2021

    I’m terrible at decorating in anything but I like to give it a go!

  • elysedc  on  September 18, 2021

    I think I like decorating cookies even more than I like eating them!

  • Dhasenkampf  on  September 21, 2021

    I’ve never tried decorating cookies. But I really want to try!

  • angiejackson  on  September 21, 2021

    love decorating cookies it reduces stress!!

  • krnries  on  September 25, 2021

    I love baking and decorating with my kids – and they love helping – and making a mess 🙂

  • clairew137  on  September 26, 2021

    yes, it’s fun

  • Yatota74  on  September 26, 2021

    Yes I do I love making Christmas cookies

  • Leonard5854  on  September 28, 2021

    Yes, I enjoy decorating cookies for special occasions.

  • MeerkatSilverleaf  on  September 29, 2021

    I like baking cookies, but I need more practice decorating them.

  • orchidlady01  on  September 29, 2021

    I enjoy decorating cookies with my daughters.

  • sheridarby  on  September 29, 2021

    Yes, but I am not very good at it. I always get the family to help

  • mumliz  on  September 29, 2021

    i love decorating cookies

  • Emmamaryd  on  September 29, 2021

    Yes, but we don’t make them very often.

  • portkey  on  September 30, 2021

    I like decorating cookies although I have no skill

  • Missfairy13  on  September 30, 2021

    One of my favourite things to do

  • Martha64  on  September 30, 2021

    My kids and I love decorating cookies…and eating them of course!

  • Kellyroxannesmith  on  September 30, 2021

    Yes, with my niece thanks x

  • ladymana  on  September 30, 2021

    I love decorating all sorts of bakes, including cookies! I am still am amateur but really enjoy seeing other’s talent!

  • ClaireHamilton  on  September 30, 2021

    Yes the kids love to help me bake and decorate cookies and cakes.

  • PatBarrett  on  September 30, 2021

    No, I normally don’t decorate anything other than ‘occasion’ cakes.

  • Twiddle  on  September 30, 2021

    Yes I do enjoy decorating but make far too much mess

  • lacinda1968  on  October 1, 2021

    I love to decorate cookies.

  • JEWGAL777  on  October 1, 2021

    I do enjoy decorating cookies, but would like to learn how to do a better job.

  • Janetr1970  on  October 1, 2021

    Yes, I’ve always liked making unique cookies and decorating them for special occasions

  • Pamyoungvb  on  October 1, 2021

    My granddaughter has taken an interest in baling and I think this is something we can do together.

  • Cjennings  on  October 1, 2021

    I’m a newbie!

  • jd5761  on  October 2, 2021

    absolutely! but i am not very good

  • lauriesk  on  October 2, 2021

    I don’t enjoy decorating cookies because I am not very good at it

  • Shelmar  on  October 3, 2021

    I love eating a good cookie, but I do not often bake them.

  • lilmiztam22  on  October 3, 2021

    I do! I feel like I am not very good at it, it can sometimes be messy but it is fun to do

  • dominicheard  on  October 4, 2021

    I have just started making cakes and cookies so I would love to learn more on decorating. I find it really therapeutic trying to be arty!

  • GillB  on  October 6, 2021

    So fun with the grandkids and for parties

  • DIANEMJACKSON5  on  October 6, 2021

    Love it

  • Badgerlord  on  October 6, 2021

    Yes but only know how to do simple patterns

  • testingtimeblog  on  October 6, 2021

    We love decorating delicious home made cookies

  • SHORTMAN  on  October 6, 2021

    Love to do this with my grand daughter

  • reader1trees  on  October 9, 2021

    Decorating with royal icing is something I’ve been wanting to try doing myself for a while but I haven’t been quite brave enough to get started yet, maybe this winter.

  • t.t  on  October 9, 2021

    I’m terrible at decorating cookies, but I’d like to learn

  • Cjennings  on  October 15, 2021

    I want to!

  • GreenhouseCheryl  on  October 16, 2021

    I like making cut out cookies and decorating, but usually only using sprinkles, etc.

  • starzine  on  October 16, 2021

    I enjoy decorating cookies.

  • hibeez  on  October 24, 2021

    I am a beginner cookie decorator but want to become more advanced!

  • starxtrouble  on  October 28, 2021

    Decorating cookies is so much fun. I like to use choc ganache 🙂

  • thewife1992  on  October 28, 2021

    This would be such a fun book to own!

  • hubbalance  on  October 28, 2021

    Yes, but I am nowhere as good as she is!

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