Workshop at Home: A Beginner Biscuit Decorating Kit

You’ve seen beautifully decorated biscuits online and always wanted to try, but can’t get to a physical workshop and don’t know where to start. I’ve heard this many times from wannabe biscuit decorators, so I came up with a solution: Workshop at Home, a biscuit (AKA cookie) decorating kit you can do at your own kitchen table. Each £25 kit has everything you need to decorate a full set of 6, without the baking or icing prep.

What Is Workshop at Home?

Essentially, Workshop at Home is your in-person workshop experience in a box.

I have been decorating biscuits professionally for 4 years, I’m based in Edinburgh and have my own business – Blinkbonnie Biscuits. I started running workshops almost two years ago, and this is my next incarnation of them with the aim of reaching a wider audience who can’t make it to an in-person class in Edinburgh.

The kits are fully beginner friendly, and include everything you will need to decorate 6 tasty and pretty royal-iced biscuits.

What’s Inside the Box

• 6 delicious vanilla biscuits in different shapes – the Fall for Autumn set contains a bow, two different pumpkins, a flower, a jumper and a mug
• 4 bags of icing, each one a different colour
• 1 scribe (a needle-like tool for perfecting and smoothing your icing) – the MVP of cookie decorating tools
• The all-important instructions with photographs of each stage and even a few QR codes linking to video clips so you can see exactly how I do the more difficult stages
• A practice sheet to help you get used to the icing and how it flows

 

How It Works: From Opening the Box to Finished Biscuits

Before you get started, I recommend getting yourself a piece of kitchen towel, a pair of scissors and a cup of tea or coffee to get yourself comfortable. Don’t forget to take the icing bags out of the fridge if you have stored them there – ideally an hour before to bring them to room temperature.

My physical workshops usually take around 2 hours from start to finish – but don’t worry too much about timing. Some people work really fast, and others like to take their time!

Have a quick look through the instructions, and while you are doing this, I recommend massaging your icing bags. This is a really important step as whenthe icing sits for a few days in the bags it begins to settle and separate, sometimes getting a little lumpy. Spend a couple of minutes massaging each bag to ensure they are one-colour and you no longer see any two-tone consistencies

Now lay everything out in front of you, ideally on a table and start by cutting the icing bags. Just take a very small snip off the ends, you can always take more off later if needed.

You will begin by using the icing on the practice sheet to get used to the flow of icing. My main tip here being, touch the icing down on the paper/icing bag then lift it up (1-2 cms) to create a flow of icing. This slows the process down and helps you create smooth lines.

Once you have finished with the practice sheet you are ready to move onto the biscuits. Using the instructions sheet work your way through each step. You will move backwards and forwards between each biscuit – you won’t complete any of the biscuits in one go. It’s important to allow the icing to set slightly between each step, especially for beginners.

Once you have finished decorating, you can set your biscuits back in your box or on a plate and leave the icing to fully dry (if you can wait that long!). It can take up to 24 hours for the icing to harden completely. Don’t store the finished biscuits in the fridge, leave them on a plate or in a box partially covered is ideal. Once dry they can be stored in an airtight container. I recommend enjoying them with a hot drink and your feet up!

 

Is Cookie Decorating Hard? Beginners Welcome

It’s not hard at all to get started, and you will be amazed at how well you do for your first attempt. I’ve had lots of people walk into classes claiming not to be creative and walking away being amazed at how well they have done! I’ve never had anyone decorate a biscuit that you couldn’t identify what it was meant to be at the end! Just look at some pictures from some lovely ladies who recently did a Workshop at Home kit!

 

What Our Testers Said

Before launching, I recruited 3 volunteers to test the kit, and I’m so pleased with the reviews, and the biscuits they managed to decorate! Here are the main quotes from them:

“Something I’ve seen online, always wanted to do but never thought I could. This kit made it easy and so much fun. I found it very therapeutic and they also taste amazing.” Justine

“Especially as a new mum, I really appreciated having something creative to sit down and enjoy by myself for a little while.” Shaimaa

“I will definitely be ordering!!” Denise

 

Who Is It For?

The kit is for anyone who wants a little creative break, some “me time”, or is looking for a fun activity to do with a friend(s), or as a unique gift for a crafty friend!

This kit is designed for adults or older children who have a good attention span. If you’re looking for a simpler fun kit for kids then I often have DIY kits available which are designed for children.

It’s an ideal option if you don’t live close to Edinburgh, or just struggle to make it to any in-person workshops, but if you would rather do an in-person workshop then you can see upcoming biscuit workshops in Edinburgh.

Alternatively, if you would rather a private workshop for a friends’ get-together, a corporate event or a hen party, then contact me on the private workshops enquiry form.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any baking or decorating experience?

No experience necessary. My workshops are designed so that anybody can pick up a piping bag and get started!

Do I need to buy anything else?

No, the only other things I ask you to have ready are a pair of scissors and some kitchen towel which you should hopefully already have at home.

How long does it take?

The workshop should take you around two hours to complete from start to finish.

Are these biscuits the same as sugar cookies?

Very similar! They’re vanilla biscuits decorated with royal icing, the same style as American sugar cookies. In the UK, “cookie” has traditionally meant things like chocolate chip cookies, so I tend to call mine biscuits.

Are there allergens I should know about?

The biscuits and icing contain wheat (gluten), eggs and milk. They’re made in a kitchen that also handles nuts and other allergens, so I can’t guarantee they’re free from traces.

How long do the biscuits keep?

Biscuits should stay fresh for up to 6 weeks in their sealed bags. The bagged icing will also stay fresh for a couple of weeks, but it will start to separate so I do recommend massaging the bags as soon as you receive them and then storing in the fridge until you are ready to use (this slows down the separation process). Bring them out about an hour before and then massage again if necessary once ready to use. Once decorated, they’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for a week or so.

How much do the Workshop at Home kits cost?

The cost for one kit is £25 and includes everything you need to decorate your own set of 6 biscuits. If you would like to order multiple sets for a hen party or other occasion, just drop me a message on kate@blinkbonniebiscuits.co.uk and I can arrange a bespoke set for you.

How much is delivery?

Kits can be collected from me in Kirkliston, or I can offer UK-wide postage which is calculated at checkout – it’s usually £3.90. Please give 3-5 working days for dispatch.

 

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