Sara's Breast Cancer Diagnosis Inspired Me to Create a Royal Icing Cookie Guide 💗

How a friend's breast cancer diagnosis inspired me to make leopard-print biscuits with love, learn a new decorating technique and create a downloadable guide to help others make their own beautiful royal icing sugar cookies.

Sometimes, baking is about so much more than cake

Recently, I found out that my lovely friend Sara has breast cancer. When she received the news, one of the things she said to me was:

“Cheryl, can you make me boobie cupcakes?”

Of course, I said yes straight away! 💗

Because when someone you care about is going through something difficult, you want to do whatever you can to bring a little happiness, laughter and normality into their world.

A cancer diagnosis is an enormous thing to face. Although you can't take away someone's worries, you can remind them that they're loved, supported and thought about.

Unfortunately, I've been struck down with a horrible cold and a trapped nerve in my back, which has meant I haven't been able to get over to see Sara as I'd hoped.

I've found it frustrating because I wanted to be there in person, give her a hug and do something to make her smile. But I still wanted to find a way to send her a little love, even if I couldn't deliver it myself.

So, instead of cupcakes, I decided to make boobie biscuits!

Leopard print, bras and a little bit of pink

Sara loves leopard print, so I knew I had to incorporate that into my designs.

I decided to create a little collection of decorated sugar cookies, including boobie biscuits, leopard-print bra biscuits and pretty pink hearts.

They were a little bit cheeky, a little bit different and made with so much love.

I wanted the biscuits to reflect Sara's personality and give her something fun and personal to open when they arrived through the post.

There's something lovely about making something with your own hands, especially when you know exactly who you're making it for. Every little detail had a purpose, and I hoped the finished collection would feel like a little parcel of love.

I know a box of biscuits can't change what Sara is going through, but I hoped they might bring her a smile and a little moment of happiness during a difficult time.

Learning something new for someone special

There was just one little challenge. I'd never tried this particular royal icing decorating technique before!

I knew what I wanted the finished biscuits to look like, but getting there meant learning something new, experimenting with different icing consistencies and practising until I was happy with the results.

I discovered how much difference the right consistency makes, how important it is to understand outlining and flooding, and how small details can completely transform a simple sugar cookie.

I also learned that decorating biscuits takes patience. Some things work beautifully straight away, while others need a little more practice.

But that was part of the fun.

As I worked on Sara's biscuits, I started thinking about how many other people might love to try decorating sugar cookies themselves but feel unsure where to begin.

You don't have to be a professional baker to create something beautiful. Sometimes, all you need is a little guidance, some patience and the confidence to try something new.

And that's when the idea for my Royal Icing Technique Guide was born.

Introducing my four-page Royal Icing Technique Guide

What began as a personal project for Sara has inspired me to create something I can now share with other baking enthusiasts.

I've put together a four-page downloadable Royal Icing Technique Guide for The Make & Bake House, designed to help beginners get started with decorating sugar cookies at home.

Inside the guide, you'll find:

• Ingredients and equipment: what you'll need to get started.
• Icing consistencies: understand the differences between outline, flood and detail icing.
• Step-by-step decorating: follow the process for creating leopard-print heart cookies.
• Troubleshooting: practical guidance for common icing problems and tips to help improve your results.

The guide brings together the techniques I practised while making Sara's biscuits, with visual examples to help you follow along.

Whether you're making biscuits for a birthday, a celebration, a gift or simply because you fancy trying something creative, I hope this guide gives you the confidence to pick up a piping bag and have a go.

Ready to try royal icing yourself?

You can download my Royal Icing Technique Guide from The Make & Bake House and follow the techniques at your own pace. All proceeds from sales of the guide will go to charity.

Discover the Royal Icing Technique Guide here

Your next baking project could be something truly special.

Supporting breast cancer research 💗

Sara's diagnosis has made this project feel even more meaningful to me.

Cancer affects so many people, along with their families, friends and everyone who loves them. It's a reminder of how important research, support and continued progress are.

If Sara's story has touched you, or you'd simply like to help support the work being done to prevent, diagnose and treat breast cancer, you can find out more about Cancer Research UK's work and make a donation if you wish.

Support breast cancer research through Cancer Research UK

Every act of kindness looks different. It might mean supporting research, checking in on a friend, offering practical help or sending a little parcel to remind someone they're loved.

For me, this project has been about friendship, creativity and finding a small way to show someone I care.

Sara, this one's for you ❤️

Sara, if you're reading this, it means you've opened your parcel! I really hope it brought a smile to your face.

I wish I could have been there to give you a massive hug and see your reaction when you opened it. Being poorly and having a trapped nerve in my back has been so frustrating, especially when all I've wanted to do is get over to see you and do something to make you smile.

When you asked me to make you boobie cupcakes, of course I said yes! I don't think either of us could have imagined that it would lead to me making leopard-print bra biscuits, boobie biscuits and pink hearts, or that I'd end up learning a whole new decorating technique along the way.

Every biscuit was made with you in mind, from the leopard print I knew you'd love to the little details that took so much practice to get right.

I know that a cancer diagnosis brings so much that no one can take away with a box of biscuits. But I hope this little parcel has reminded you that you're loved, that people are thinking about you, and that even when I can't be there in person, I'm still sending you the biggest hug.

I wish I could make everything easier for you, Sara. For now, I hope these little biscuits have brought you a bit of happiness, a little laugh and something lovely to brighten your day.

You are so loved, and these were made especially for you, with all my love. 💗

Love always,

Cheryl x

   

The Make & Bake House

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