Twelve festive cake and cookie decorating ideas from sugarcraft expert Lindy Smith

Don’t you just love Christmas? Once the shopping is out of the way you get to indulge your sweet tooth without any guilt, and can treat your friends and family to an array of incredible treats.

This month I’ve pored through a few of Lindy’s amazing books and selected some cakes and cookies to give you a touch of Christmas inspiration. They’re all about making you, your family and friends very merry. (I know mine will be … Ho! Ho! Ho!)

Please click on the image if you’d like to find out which book the cake or cookie appears in.

On the first day of Christmas my true love baked for me …. a Festive Fir Tree

Featured in Lindy’s Creative Colour for Cake Decorating, this Festive Fir Tree cake was inspired by the colours of nature (and a gorgeous gem necklace). It would make an incredible centre-piece for any Christmas table.

On the second day of Christmas my true love baked for me … two turtle doves

Also from Lindy’s Creative Colour for Cake Decorating these Turtle Dove cupcakes are bursting with colour. You’ll need a cherry blossom stencil, and circle and bird silhouette cutters to create the same effect.

On the third day of Christmas my true love baked for me … three cookie crackers

Delicious cookies to brighten up a rainy afternoon – create your own moulds for these festive cookie crackers from pastillage using wallpaper and lace!

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love baked for me … four fuchsia handbags

Okay, while this cake isn’t entirely about Christmas I’m thinking it would make an amazing Christmas cake, table centrepiece (or even a beautiful present).

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love baked for me … five tasty gifts

These are a great way to say a big festive thank you to a fantastic teacher, neighbour or Scout leader … I know I’ll be baking a few this year.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love baked for me … six striking stockings

These look amazing hanging from a Christmas tree (and they’re a great snack if you get a bit peckish in the evening …)

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love baked for me … seven bottles of bubbly

Champagne bottle cookies to brighten any Christmas occasion (and they’re okay for the under 18’s) … cheers!

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love baked for me … eight brilliant baubles

Bright colours and sparkling disco dust make these baubles really festive – they’re even better than real decorations!

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love baked for me … nine stylish snowflakes

They say snow is on the way. Now sledging is fun, but given the choice I’d rather have my snow sitting on a cupcake complemented by a hot cup of tea!

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love baked for me … ten angelic angels

Gorgeous presents and treats for your own little angels. My kids may not be angels exactly … but I’ll definitely bake them a few!

On the eleven day of Christmas my true love baked for me … eleven fruit cocktails

Featured in Lindy’s Bake Me I’m Yours Cookie these are perfect for a fun night (or day) and you can eat as many as you like without falling over!

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love baked for me … twelve party dresses

Couldn’t resist these fabulous dress cookies. If you don’t get around to them for Christmas they’d brighten up a New Years party.

Happy Christmas, happy baking (and happy 2014)!

Donna 🙂