There is something magical about summertime; the warm sunshine, beach days, colorful swimsuits, and endless opportunities for fun. When I started designing this cookie set, I wanted to capture all of those happy summer memories in a collection that felt cheerful, whimsical, and full of personality.
The theme came together around five classic symbols of summer: a smiling sun, a playful crab wearing heart-shaped sunglasses, a beach floatie splashing through the waves, a bottle of sunscreen, and a pair of colorful swim shorts. Each design was created with simple shapes and bright colors, making the set both beginner-friendly and visually impactful.
For this set, I wanted colors that felt bright and sunny while still maintaining a soft, playful look. The palette combines vibrant summer shades with a touch of whimsy.
The colors used were:
- Regal Purple (Ann Clark)
- Mermaid Teal (The Cookie Countess)
- Sunshine Yellow (The Cookie Countess)
- Royal Red Velvet (The Cookie Countess)
- Totally Brown (The Cookie Countess)
- Whipped White (The Cookie Countess)
The combination of purple, teal, yellow, and red creates a fun beach-inspired palette while the white accents help each design stand out.
Every cookie in this set was decorated using hybrid consistency royal icing.
Hybrid consistency is one of my favorite consistencies because it allows for both outlining and flooding without switching icing textures. It flows smoothly enough to create a polished finish while still providing enough control for smaller details and decorative elements. It also allowed me to do some wet on wet designs.
Using a single consistency throughout the set keeps the decorating process simple and efficient, making it a great choice for decorators of all skill levels.
For a better understanding of icing consistencies refer to this blog here. We also have a very thorough online class here.
If you are comfortable cutting and piping/flooding with tipless bags, go for it! If you prefer tips I would recommend a #1 or #1.5 tip for details and outlines , and a #2 or 2.5 for flooding.
Below you will find step by step instructions for all the cookies. Followed by a couple videos on how to decorate them. Feel free to have fun! Use different colors, or different techniques. Let your creativity shine if you want!
One of my favorite things about decorating this cookie set was how each design brought its own personality while still working together as part of a cohesive summer theme. Although the designs are relatively simple, small details such as the crab’s heart-shaped sunglasses, the smiling sun on the sunscreen bottle, the splash of ocean waves, and the tiny drawstring on the swim shorts help transform basic shapes into fun, recognizable summer icons.
Using hybrid consistency throughout the entire set made the decorating process both efficient and enjoyable. The consistency was fluid enough to create smooth, polished surfaces while still allowing for controlled details and dimension. Working with a single consistency also helped streamline the decorating process, making the set approachable for decorators who may not want to manage multiple icing textures.
I especially enjoyed building dimension through layering. Allowing sections to crust before adding details helped create visual interest without making the designs overly complicated. Simple additions like the raised sunglasses, the sunscreen bottle’s smiling sun emblem, the wave details on the floatie, and the waistband accents on the swim shorts added depth and character while keeping the overall look clean and playful.
The color palette also played a major role in bringing the theme together. The combination of Regal Purple, Mermaid Teal, Sunshine Yellow, and Royal Red Velvet creates a bright, cheerful summer feel that immediately evokes sunshine, beach days, and warm-weather fun. The Whipped White accents help balance the stronger colors, while touches of Totally Brown provide subtle definition where needed.
Whether you’re decorating these cookies for a summer class, a pool party, a beach-themed celebration, or simply for fun, this set is a great reminder that memorable cookie designs don’t have to be overly intricate. Sometimes a handful of bright colors, a few playful details, and a collection of happy summer-inspired shapes are all it takes to create a set that feels joyful, cohesive, and full of seasonal charm. I hope these cookies inspire you to embrace bright colors, have fun with simple designs, and bring a little sunshine to your next decorating project.
Happy Baking!
xo Hillary
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