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Dear Yankee Girl - How Did You Color Those Nonpareils?

I would like to start by saying thank you. I was nervous about my first post, but you guys gave it an overwhelmingly positive response. For that, I thank you. And because of that overwhelmingly positive response, I wrote up a tutorial to answer the most asked question – how I color my nonpareils!

 

Valentine’s Day is behind us (insert deep sigh of relief) . . . Now scrape that blob of dried, red royal icing off your counter, and let's get ready for St. Patrick’s Day! I see this as an excellent opportunity to embellish some cookies with colored nonpareils!

 ColoringNPsStorage

 

 

Disclaimer on my technique for coloring nonpareils: This is by no means an original idea. I have no idea who came up with it, but I’d like to shake his or her hand.

 

What you'll need:

  • White nonpareils (or un-coated white dragÉes, any size)
  • Gel colors
  • Resealable plastic baggie
  • Parchment paper-covered baking sheet/plate

 ColoringNPsGatherSupplies

 

Start by adding the white nonpareils to a resealable baggie. Then add the coloring. Really all you need is a SMALL drop. More can be added, but too much and you’ll have clumpy nonpareils. And then what are you going to do with clumpy nonpareils?? If you are only coloring a small amount of nonpareils or if you are an overly cautious person, a toothpick can also be utilized to add the coloring. 

 

ColoringNPsBaggieShot

 

Let some of that air out of the baggie and zip it up. “Smoosh”* the coloring around with the nonpareils. Make sure that all of your nonpareils get coated. If you have achieved your desired color, move onto the next step. If not, repeat the above steps.

 

*“Smoosh” is a technical term meaning "mix together".

 ColoringNPsSmooshtheColor

 

Carefully spread the nonpareils onto the parchment paper. You will want to flatten them out so that they will dry evenly and fully. Use a utensil or your finger . . . The nurse in me wants you to use a utensil, but the mom in me says "Who's got time? Flatten with your finger!" Use your best judgment on that one.

 

You can see my little setup below. Is it pretty? No. Functional? Yes!! The parchment paper serves two purposes. It helps the nonpareils to dry without sticking and, once they're dry, you can use the paper to pour the nonpareils into their designated storage container. 

 ColoringNPsDrying

 

How long will these take to dry? Good question! About an hour. Unless you really dumped the color in . . . then it’ll take longer.

 

Some exciting variations of this whole baggie process for you!

 

Sanding sugar! Dump some white sanding sugar and gel color into a baggie - and voilà! Colored sanding sugar! I did find that the sanding sugar was dry and ready for use immediately. But not if oversaturated with coloring . . . Are you sensing a trend here??

 

And it gets even better. WHAT?! Oh yes!

 

You can also replace the gel coloring with luster dust and a DROP of clear extract or vodka to color both nonpareils and sanding sugar. Perfect for when you want that metallic color!

 ColoringNPsSandingSugar

 

So to wrap it up, your color choices for nonpareils are unlimited now. I want to see them. Show me texture and depth in your cookies!! Embellish! And, as always, have fun with it!

 

Please let me know what you’d like me to write about next time. You can leave your question in the comments area below or send me an email! Thanks for reading! 

 

 ColoringNPsLeprechan

Cookie photo credits: Kari Arroyo

 

 

Kari ArroyoKari Arroyo started decorating cookies in 2011 after deciding to take a break from nursing, and learned the ways of royal icing by reading tutorials and LOTS of trial and error. When she’s not decorating cookies, you can find her chasing after two busy boys! Check her out on Facebook or her site, and email her your cookie questions at yankeegirlyummies@gmail.com.

 

Photo credit: Kari Arroyo

 

 

 

Note: Dear Yankee Girl is a regular Cookie Connection blog feature, written by Kari Arroyo, which allows you to get all your critical cookie technique questions answered, Dear Abby-style! Its content expresses the views of the author and not necessarily those of this site, its owners, its administrators, or its employees. To catch up on all of Kari's past posts, click here.

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Images (7)
  • Coloring Nonpareils - Looking Pretty in Their Storage Containers: Photo by Yankee Girl Yummies
  • Coloring Nonpareils - Supplies: Photo by Yankee Girl Yummies
  • Coloring Nonpareils - Adding Gel Coloring: Photo by Yankee Girl Yummies
  • Coloring Nonpareils - "Smooshing" the Color Around: Photo by Yankee Girl Yummies
  • Coloring Nonpareils - Drying: Photo by Yankee Girl Yummies
  • Coloring Nonpareils - Gold Sanding Sugar: Photo by Yankee Girl Yummies
  • Leprechaun with Gold Sanding Sugar: Cookie and Photo by Yankee Girl Yummies

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Comments (24)

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Thanks for the post!  It was very informative and entertaining. I love your writing style!

 

I have a question, well, actually two. 1) How did you make those cool gold cookies with the raised shamrocks and 2) How did you get the gold sanding sugar to clump together for the pot of gold? I love the way both cookies look!

 

Thanks again and I look forward to future articles!

 

 

 

Have you tried this with jimmies?  I bought a big bag of white jimmies in the hopes of coloring my own...and then never got to the experimental stage (that seems to be a problem of mine).    Great post - very helpful!

I have actually never tried coloring white jimmies! I don't even know that I have ever even seen any here... but I have access to a very limited selection of decorating items. Throw them in a baggie and let us know. I bet it would work!
 
Originally Posted by Debbi Hook - The SPI Flip Flop Foodie:

Have you tried this with jimmies?  I bought a big bag of white jimmies in the hopes of coloring my own...and then never got to the experimental stage (that seems to be a problem of mine).    Great post - very helpful!

 

Funny, I just posted my own version of coloring sugar on my facebook page this past week (www.facebook.com/maggielovescookies.  Same technique except I put in a low oven 50C for 10 minutes to dry out.  Glad to know this can be done with nonpareils as well.  Also glad to know smush is a word

Thank you so much , I thought I woudl end up buying all colors , hemm 'now I can make my own non white ones. Thanks again.My question the same like SandyH

1) How did you make those cool gold cookies with the raised shamrocks and 2) How did you get the gold sanding sugar to clump together for the pot of gold? I love the way both cookies look!

thanks

Yes! I have some Wilton nonpareils (the large, pearl ones and the small ones) that I have colored. My first blog post here on the CC was with white nonpareil pearls or dragees - that I had colored different shades of pink.
 
Originally Posted by Mily:

It Works with edible pearls too?    I only know how to add glitters to peanuts and pearls.

 

I love the idea of doing this and can't wait to try it.  Do you know if this technique works for light colors, such as ivory?  My decorating supply store only has bright color nonpareils, so it would be great if I could make my own pastel colors when I need them!  Thanks for sharing this!

I did some experimenting and answered my own question -- yes, you can do this and get pastels as well as bright colors.  I put a drop of food coloring in a couple of drops of water and mixed it really well.  Then I used a toothpick to dab a tiny bit onto the inside of my baggie, and "smooshed."  I am very pleased with how they came out-- my local store only carries bright colored nonpareils and I often want pastels.  Thanks for sharing your expertise!

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