Using Luster Dust To Decorate Cookies

January 12th, 2012 |

Author: Sarah

You are about to discover the secret to exceptional cookies; cookies that not only taste wonderful but that look like they just came out of an upscale bakery. It's luster dust. Perfect for special occasions, or when you just want to show off your stellar baking skills, this wonderful sugary dust adds sparkle, shine, and elegance to your cookies. Here are some tips for using luster dust to decorate cookies that look too good to eat and too good to resist. It's also used to decorate cakes too, but we're going to focus on cookies!

What is luster dust? It sounds magical, doesn't it? It is a nontoxic, completely edible powder that adds no taste to the cookies. This is great if you want to add sparkle, shine, and color to your baked goods without adding extra sugar. Luster dust, which is sometimes called “pearl dust,” is available in a wide variety of colors and is quite versatile. It can be used wet or dry to create different effects, and it has a gorgeous, sophisticated metallic sheen.

Cake decorators often use luster dust to add shine and refinement to wedding cakes, and now you can add elegance and professional polish to your home-baked goods as well. Now, how do you get started?

You can use luster dust dry or wet, depending on what type of effect you want to create. If you are using it dry, simply use an unused paintbrush to brush the dust onto your cookies. This adds beautiful shine and shimmer and can dress up cookies for weddings or baby shower favors, and other events.

If you are using it dry, you do not need to prep. Just shake some luster dust into a dish and get started.

You can also use luster dust to “paint” your cookies. This allows you to create a deeper color and to have a little more freedom in the types of designs you want to create.

First, tap a little of the luster dust into a dish and add a few drops of vodka. Yes, vodka. Luster dust does not bond with water, so you'll need an alcohol-based solution.

Now you have your paint and you can let your inner artist out and try swirls, names, pictures, borders, flowers, and more. You are only limited by your imagination. Luster dust is a great addition to any pantry. If you have never used it before, set aside some time and some sugar cookies and give it a try!