How to Stamp on a Cookie
Have you heard the debates about using a stamp on a cookie? I know I have and it has stopped me from trying something that I really wanted to try. I totally understand the debate and I can see both sides. I had a tutorial on ‘How to Stamp on a Cookie’ planned a long time ago but decided not to share until I did a little research.
Well, I have thought about it and I have decided to share some stamped cookies that I made. After researching I decided stamping on cookies is a personal choice. You must research and decide for yourself if it something you want to do. I made the decision to use the clear stamps with the clear blocks because I think they are easy to wash which will help bacteria from growing. Whatever your opinion is when you think about using a stamp on a cookie, I hope you can just sit back and enjoy these little guys today.
Supplies for How to Stamp on a Cookie:
Sugar Cookies with Dry Icing (make sure it is completely dry)
Good gel color of your choice
Stamp of your choice (I bought these on a clearance rack at my local craft store. I can’t find a link to them because I bought them about a year ago.)
Stamp Block
Avery Reinkable Felt Stamp Pad Uninked
Food Safe Marker
I learned a lot my first time trying this and want to share what I have found with you. Begin by picking your food gel color and find some way to get it on your stamp. The reason I say that is because the paper towel I tried to use didn’t work well at first. The reason it didn’t work is because I didn’t lay the paper towel on a flat surface after I spread the ink on it. I had it on a plate that was curved and it didn’t work. Once I laid the towel flat, I got much better results.
Half way through I remembered that I had purchased this Cut n’ Dry stamp foam pad and decided to try it. It worked great! All I did was cut off a square, dabbed some black food gel color on it, and began stamping and it was better than that first sip of morning coffee. Well, maybe that is taking it a little far but, trust me, it is way better than a paper towel. When I was done, I just slid it in a plastic sandwich baggie to keep it fresh so I can use it later.
Before I try stamping again, I will buy one of these uninked stamp pad things. I found out where to buy it from Anita at Sweet Hope Cookies. Thanks Anita!
Let’s start stamping!
- Attach the stamp to the clear block and then dab it in the ink. Notice how messy mine is from trying to dab it on the paper towel when it was on the plate. DUH Lisa!
- You may need to dab a bit of ink off before you try to stamp your cookie.
- Then, carefully place the stamp on the cookie and press down. You may need to rock it slightly to make sure the entire outline transfers onto the cookie.
- Then, gently lift the stamp straight up off the cookie.
Once you stamp the image on the cookie, you can call it a day and let it dry completely or, you can add a few details. A few snow lines and snowflakes aka dots, is just what this cookie needed. I love the simplicity of these so I decided to stop here. If you want, you can paint or use food safe markers to color the little characters or use other stamps on a cookie. I say, “Go for it!” Paint or color away.
Let’s talk about a few things that didn’t go to well. See this little penguins arm? It didn’t transfer properly so, use your black food safe marker and fix it. So simple! See the igloo? I lifted it slightly when I was pressing and it made a double line at the top of the igloo. Somehow, it only made two lines at the top so, I will chose to ignore it and pretend it is a masterpiece. Are you with me?
The best advice I can give you when you stamp on a cookie is to make extra cookies to use for practice and be honest with the people that are going to eat the cookie. I know some people who are very conserned about food safety and that is a good thing. I also know other who don’t worry as much about it. Either way, let the cookie eater make their own choice.
If you decided you don’t want to eat them,, you can always use them for decorations. Hang them on your Christmas tree or use them as name tags on presents.
More Stamped Cookies for you to enjoy:
Stamped Chalkboard Art Cookies by Semi Sweets Mike
Stamp Act by One Tough Cookie
Stamping Cookies by Sweet Hope Cookies –Â You need to check out what Anita discovered about stamping with food gel vs airbrush colors.
Bear hugs,
Good morning….once again you answered my question just after I attempted something new :). Two things I wanted to do this Christmas after my orders…paint on a cookie and stamp…painting went really well, stamping..well….not so good and can’t type what I said!!!! I will not give up and will try again. I had spare cookies in the freezer and some icing I needed to use, pressed too hard on the first one, second not flat, third too much ink but I did paint it on the stamp. Good idea about clear ones, I had a new wooden one, a bike with a heart perfect for Valentines. I am going to buy a new ink pad and put the ink on it. Yours turned out so pretty and cute. Thank you again, everything is always so clear and precise. X:)X
Hi Claire,
I am glad you found something in this tutorial that might help. Be sure to check out the link for Sweet Hope Cookies by Anita. She has some great tips on stamping.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Bear hug!
oh thank you for sharing this :0
they are so lovely
i bought some stamps at xmas clearance 😉
but they were the wooden ones?
i did stamp onto sugarpaste and they worked ok
but seeing these has given me mire idea of what im after :0
so thank you again …brilliant x
Hi Julie,
I like the clear blocks because you can see where you are stamping the cookie. It makes things a lot easier and I think they can be washed on both sides to make it safer.
Let me know what you think of the clear ones. 🙂
I have used the wooden ones with no issue. You do have to be careful because you can’t see if you’re making a mess on the cookie. I don’t think it is the wood that people are worried about as much as the rubber – I use wooden spoons and wooden cutting boards, so I have no worries about washing them.
I think it is because if the stamp gets wet when it is washed, bacteria can grow in between them and then be transfer to the cookie.
🙂
Great tutorial, (as usual) Lisa!!! Love the clear stamps!
And I LOVE you GAIL!! 😉
I guess I missed the debate somewhere. What is the big issue with using stamps? If you’re cleaning them with warm water and soap, I’m not sure I understand what the concern would be.
Hi Amy,
The debate is because the stamps and the stamp pad is not food safe and, the stamps with the wood can grow bacteria in between the stamp and the wood. That is why I chose a clear stamp. Like I said, if you don’t feel comfortable eating a stamped cookie, use them for decoration because stampig if FUN! 🙂
I too like the clear stamps. I have tried the wood ones, and instead of an ink pad I just used Wilton color mist spray, and it worked pretty well.
Hi Denise,
Did you spray the stamp with the color mist and then stamp it? If so, tell me where the cookie picture is…I would LOVE to SEE!! 🙂
I AM going to buy the supplies you suggested and go for it! Looks so fun, and pretty simple, once it’s all set up. Your cookies are adorable! Thanks, Lisa! Now, on to Anita’s…
Hi Sue,
Check your local craft stores. Michael’s has 40% and 50% off coupons and a great selection! 🙂
And no shipping cost!
Great post Lisa! And thanks for the link to Anita’s site. I have wanted to try stamping on cookies for a long time and I think this post will be a great help!
Thank you Anne! Let me know if you have any questions. You are going to love stamping!
You’re welcome Lisa!!! I’d tell you those are adorable cookies but I’ve basically reached my life time quota of telling you how adorable your cookies are.
Okay, wood stamps. Sometimes there’s a design on a wood stamp that I HAVE to have but stamping with the wood is too challenging for this gal so I’ll use a very sharp knife or exacto blade to but between the wood and the foam, removing the stamp. Boom! You’re welcome.
Now tell me…aside from mastering airbrushing, royal icing transfers, and stamping, do you have any cookie flaws? Even a small one you could toss me to soothe my troubled soul?
…”to PUT between the wood and the foam”….but I bet you could have figured that out all on your own.
SEE! This is why I LOVE you! Now no stamps are off limits. Look at you just popping that stamp off the wood to make yourself a new cookie stamp! That is brilliant Anita! Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Heck, thanks for sharing “everything” with us.
You amazing me!!
PS-Cookie fail coming to this blog soon! Heheheheh
Great cookies. Where did you get the cookie stamps?
This is something I’ve always wanted to try. I have some wood stamps that I’ve never used and after reading Anita’s comment … know how to fix that! Great tutorial 🙂
does the paint dry completely–or is there a chance of smearing when you use the gel?
Hi Kathleen,
The food gel dried completely. It took a few minuts so I suggest allowing time to dry before packaging them. It is the same as painting on a cookie.
Also, Arty McGoo suggests dusting with a little flour once they are completely dry. It prevents the gel from feeling sticky. I have only doen that a few times but it worked well. I placed a small amount of flour in cheesecloth and wrapped it tight. Then, tapped it onto of the cookie and shook off the excess.
Hope this helps.
An easy way to remove stamps from wooden blocks is to use dental floss. Grasp the dental floss by wrapping it onto your fingers, as if preparing to use for your teeth. Just remember to leave a longer amount of floss between the fingers so you can easily “cut” the adhesive from between the wooden block and the rubber stamp.
A solution of an adhesive remover such as “Goo Gone” and water can be used to make removing the stamp even easier. Simply soak the entire wooden block/stamp in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes, then she the dental floss to separate the rubber stamp. Be sure to use a non-toxic adhesive remover such as the one I have listed, and thoroughly clean the rubber stamp with soap and water before using to stamp the cookies.
I love your blog Lisa! Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas and inspiration!
What a great tip Sherri. Do the wooden style of stamps stick to the clear blocks so you can see where you are going to place them on the cookies or do you carefully place it with your hands?
These are adorable!!! Question tho? What type of frosting recipe did you use?
Thanks!
Hi Sara,
It is Royal Icing and here is the link for the recipe for a full batch:http://thebearfootbaker.com/2011/12/antonis-royal-icing/
Here is the link for half a batch:http://thebearfootbaker.com/2013/03/half-a-batch-of-royal-icing-recipe/
Bear hugs!
Hi! Please, tell me, how do you make your own draw in the pad cubes?
Hi Paula,
I am not sure what you are referring to? Can you explain more and I will try to help. 😉
Hi!
Thank you for your answer!
I’m from Brazil, and I’ve never seen this clear blocks….
Sorry, maybe I didn’t explain well…
This clear block, you buy it ready? With a draw on it?
Tks!!!
The block is just a block that will hold whatever stamp you add to it. I am working on a tutorial now. I will try to explain everything so you can see how it works. 😉
Hi Lisa,
I see the link for the clear block at Amazon is just the block…. what kind of stamp do you attach to the block?
I find them at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore or anywhere they sell stamps. You can also look on Amazon for clear stamps and in the scrapbook sections of stores.
They are easy to find once you start looking. 😉
Lisa
Hi, Lisa!
Thank you for tutorial!
I want to ask: what marker do you use?
Hi Anna,
I use different food safe markers, but my favorites are Americolor Gourmet Writers (http://amzn.to/2sxE1CF) and Rainbow Dust Professional Cake Decorators Food Pen Jet Black (http://amzn.to/2ss0ZjE). There are so many different food safe markers and I suggest you buy a few and try them. Keep in mind humidity plays a big part how things work when it comes to royal icing. 😉
Beautiful cookies. Â I am very keen to try stamping as well. Never seen the clear stamps here in S.A but will keep looking
Thanks for your honest and helpful tips
Cathy
What sugar cookie recipe did you use? Â The scalloped edges on your cookies are beautiful as well as the stamps on the white frosting. Â I made these with scalloped edge cookie cutters but cookie lost some of their shape during baking.
Hi Jerry,
I use my cookie recipe and you can find it here: https://thebearfootbaker.com/2016/01/simple-sugar-cookie-recipe/
Happy BAKING!!
Lisa
Lovely, I notice that the stamp pad is transparent, if it is not transparent, I think you will be stamping all over the cookies.
That is so true! I like clear because it helps me keep things “clear!” lol
Where can I buy these clear stampa for cookies?
You can get them Wal-Mart, at a craft store, or on Amazon. You can find them almost anywhere. Now, that said, not all of them are food safe. You really have to look to see if they are and if they aren’t, you have to use your judgment if you want to use them or not.
Good luck in finding them. 😉
Hi! Thank you for your blog! I have tri d to use clear stamps and couldn’t get the gel food colour to stay on the stamp?
Thanks May
Hi… I’m getting ready to do these for my church group… But we will also be painting them like the old add water paint books. Can you tell me about how long it took the gel for color to dry? I was considering using airbrush color.
Any advice?
How well does painting work with the stamps? Does the ink color run or smear?
I think this would be fun for kids to paint with the edible paint palettes.
I stamped some cookies and they looked beautiful….but…even after drying overnight the food gel coloring turned everyones’ lips and teeth black for a bit. Should I have diluted the gel?
I am not crazy about the wicked smile everyone has after eating black or purple food-gel colored icing. You can dilute the color with a little vodka, Everclear, or water. Just be sure to touch the stamp on a paper towel before you touch the cookie. If there is a lot of liquid on the stamp from diluting the gel it will mess up the base of your cookies.
You guys may still have a bit of a colorful smile but it might not be as bad.