How to Create Decorated Cookie in Photoshop

In this new tutorial we will learn how to create a realistic (and delicious!) looking cookie with some great frosting details in Photoshop. By following this fun tutorial you will be able to learn some bevel, emboss and bump textures effects that you can apply in any design. In this case we will be following the tutorial with a circle shaped cookie, however you can try out this same tutorial with any shape you like-try out a star, a heart or even a gingerbread man! Bakers get ready to enjoy this delicious tutorial worthy of the Cookie Monster! OM NOM NOM NOM!

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Step 1

Create a new file. Go to File > New and create a 900 x 900 file.

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Step 2

We’re going to create a background with the Gradient Tool.
a) Select #820101 as foreground color and # c02828 as background color
b) Select the Gradient Tool
c) Select Radial Gradient.

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Now click the center of the canvas and drag the cursor to one of the corners of the canvas to create the gradient background.

Step 3

Now use the Ellipse Tool to create the cookie shape. Use color # a4773e for the Fill of the shape.

TIP: Press the SHIFT button on your keyboard while drawing the circle in order to get a perfect circle.

For this tutorial I created a circle of 554 x 554 px. Once the circle is traced you can change the H and W size by entering the number of the pixels you desire

Step 4

For center the shape go to Select > All (you could also select all by pressing Ctrl+A)
a) Now click over Align vertical centers button.
b) And then click over Align horizontal centers button.

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Now go to Select > Deselect (or just press Ctrl+D)

Step 5

Selecting the cookie shape go to Layer > Layer Style > Bevel and Emboss
Enter the following configuration:

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Step 6

On the same Layer Style window go to Texture below Bevel and Emboss.
Let’s append more textures to the gallery.
a) Click over the arrow next to the selected texture
b) Click over the icon to display more options
c) Select Artist Surfaces and click over the Append button.

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After this we have to find the texture Gouache Light on Watercolor. It is located before the last texture. Select that texture.

Set the scale to 100% and the Depth to +34%

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Step 7

On the same Layer Style window go to Drop Shadow and set the following configuration:

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Now click over the OK button. The result should look like this:

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Step 8

Create a new circle on a separate layer over the cookie shape layer. Make it 460 x 460 px.
Center the new circle repeating the 4th step.

Step 9

Selecting the new circle layer go to Layer > Layer Style > Stroke.
Set the size of the stroke to 22 px and use color # f4f3d4 as the color of the stroke.
Click over the OK button.

Step 10

a) Set the Fill of the new circle shape to 0%
b) Right click over the new shape’s layer and click over Rasterize Layer Style.

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This should be the result:

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Step 11

Selecting the new circle layer go to Filter > Distort > Ripple.

Set the amount to -50%.

This step should distort a little the new circle’s line. If you would like more distortion then try to increase the distortion amount. 

Step 12

Selecting the new circle layer go to Layer > Layer Style > Bevel and Emboss, and set the following configuration:

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Step 13

On the same Layer Style window now go to Drop Shadow and use the following configuration:

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Click over the OK button. The result should look like this:

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Step 14

For the text I used the font Always in My Heart. You can download it HERE. You could use another handwritten like font or you could even draw your own text and figures for decoration.

I used a 120px text size and rotated it. Use #f4f3d4 for the text color.

a) Select Faux Bold to make the text bolder. If you can’t find the Character window then go to Window > Character. Select it if is unchecked. 

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Step 15

Selecting the text layer go to Layer > Layer Style > Bevel and Emboss.
Enter the following configuration:

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Step 16

Now go to Drop Shadow on the same Layer Style window and set the same configuration:

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Now click over the OK button.

The result should look like this:

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You could also decorate your cookie by drawing some sprinkles, flowers or text and using the bevel and emboss effect.


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5 Comments

  1. Borut says:

    Nice q simple tutorial 😉

  2. Amelia Latham says:

    Love the intro 🙂 haha

  3. Arjun says:

    Thanks for giving step by step process with snapshots.. It is very easy to understand…

  4. This can actually be used for a bunch of different projects. I’d suggest going one step further and making it a cookie cake by adding lines and chocolate chips to this design. Now I want cookie cake.

  5. MicroSourcing says:

    This is a thorough, step-by-step tutorial for a very specific graphic design project.