Who isn’t smitten by the wash of colors this time of year? Bring an artful approach to your next summer get together with watercolor cookies. Simple and easy for everyone, even those of us who didn’t take art class in school. Edible mini canvases would look equally at home at a picnic or a fancy summertime wedding.

You will need: cookie dough, rectangle cookie cutter, fondant, light corn syrup, food coloring, paper towels, latex gloves (recommended)

Make your favorite sugar cookie dough–check out this no spread recipe from The Decorated Cookie. Roll and cut with a rectangle cookie cutter. While baking, make marshmallow fondant. Watch The One Charming Party Show, Season 2, Episode 5 for instructions. This recipe makes a soft, easy to use fondant that actually tastes delicious.

Once cookies are cool, roll out your fondant to 1/4 inch thick, using powdered sugar to keep from sticking. Cut out rectangles using the same cutter you used for the cookies. Set aside. Pour two tablespoons of corn syrup into a small bowl. Take a cookie and lightly coat the top with corn syrup using your finger. Place a piece of fondant on top. Press down gently and set aside. Repeat with remaining cookies.

Tear paper towel sheets in half. Fold and wet the end (about a quarter size spot) with color choice #1. Dapple wet end on the cookie like a painting. Don’t cover the entire cookie. Use lighter and darker areas to create a watercolor effect. Use a second paper towel for another color. Dapple. Add a third color for kicks. You can be as complicated or as simple as you like. It takes about two cookies to get the technique down and decide what you like. Have fun and repeat with the rest of the cookies. You could also use a single color and just do light and dark shades. Let dry.

Styling and photos by Jenny Batt.