How 'bout THEM apples?!?

I volunteered to make cookies for a teacher appreciate dinner last week and since it was September, and the beginning of the school year, I had apples on the brain.

These apples are inspired by my friend, Jennifer, a FABULOUS cookie decorator who makes cookies for Frost Bake Shoppe. This summer, she made these cute little sun cookies...aren't they darling?!? Well, I thought my apples needed smiles as well.

{One note on these...the dots are just a lighter red, but next time I make them, I'll make the dots a bit darker....I think the eyes blend in a little too much with them. And wouldn't green apples be fun, too?}

To make them, you'll need:

apple-shaped cookies
royal icing in red, light red, black, green and white (Americolor Super Red, Super Black, Leaf Green & Bright White)
decorating bags
Tips: #3, #4 and #2

Using a #3 tip, outline the cookie (apple & leaf) in black icing (I STRONGLY recommend AmeriColor Super Black). Pipe the stem.

Because of the black outline, you may want to let the outline set for a bit longer than normal. One hour should be fine.

Thin the red and light red icings with water, a bit at a time, until it is the consistency of thick syrup. Cover with a damp dish towel and let sit several minutes.

Stir gently with a rubber spatula and transfer both icings to squeeze bottles.