These pill capsule cookies are my newest favorites. Between their perfect simple iconic shape and the endless options of color combinations, this fun cookie makes me smile every time. Using the round white sprinkles to duplicate the “medicine” inside the capsule just puts them over the edge, cuteness-wise. And then there are all the pun possibilities! One of my faves is …“Take two with a glass of milk at bedtime and call me in the morning!”
Materials needed: Pill shaped cookie cutter, sugar cookie dough (I use this recipe) prepared, chilled and rolled out, royal icing in various colors (see my favorites here), pasteurized egg whites, round sprinkles in various colors, plastic or parchment paper piping bags (I use parchment paper), pastry tips #1.5, medium paintbrushes, several small bowls.
Step 1: Make the cookies:
Use the pill shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the rolled out dough. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 350°F until the edges are slightly brown about 8 -10 minutes. Let cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the icing, sprinkles and “glue” for the sprinkles:
Prepare small bowls of icing in the colors you wish to use. Gradually add small amounts of egg whites to each color, thinning out the icing to the approximate consistency of thick maple syrup. Cover bowls with plastic wrap until you are ready to use them, so that the icing does not form a crust. Prepare small bowls of white and black, which you will use for piping: add a few drops of egg whites to each color, thinning it until it reaches a consistency similar to that of toothpaste and put into individual piping bags fitted with pastry tips. Fill a few small bowls with mixtures of colored sprinkles (I used combinations of pink/yellow, blue/white, pink/white and purple/yellow/white). In another small bowl, mix together a tablespoon of royal icing and egg whites, drop by drop, until it becomes an almost translucent “glue.” This will be used to adhere the sprinkles.
Step 3: Decorate the cookies:
Using the prepared black icing-filled piping bag, outline the pills and pipe a line dividing them in half. Let the lines sit for about 5 minutes to dry. I decorated the capsules three different ways: multicolored painted pills, pills half painted, half “filled” with sprinkles, and pills with both halves “filled” with sprinkles. For the completely painted pills with no sprinkles, simply paint in one half of the cookie with whatever color you choose, being careful to paint up to the black border without covering it. To create highlights: while the icing is still wet, gently pipe a small line or dot of white over the painted color. Repeat on the other side of the capsule. Set aside to dry.
To “fill” half of the capsules with sprinkles, use a small paintbrush to paint one half of a capsule with a light layer of the “glue,” making sure that you paint up to the black edge, but not over it. While the “glue” is still wet, carefully pour the sprinkles over that side of the cookie. If some sprinkles stick to the black outline, gently use your fingertip to remove them. After half the capsule has had sprinkles added, let dry at least 5 minutes and decorate the other half with colored icing or another mixture of sprinkles. Set aside to dry.
Manuela G.
April 18, 2016
They are really original and beautiful!!!
Thank you so much, Manuela!
Michelle
April 18, 2016
They look soo cool, I love the idea!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Thanks, I hope you enjoy making them!
Lucinda
April 18, 2016
They are adorable, but they just make me uncomfortable thinking of kids seeing them in the cookie jar. I think they could send the wrong message, especially with the bright colors and sprinkles. Overall cute or not there not for my house
Me too
My first thought also.
Oh yes, I just commented on that. Glad to see I am not alone in my thoughts.
Adorable, but I too question the “make pills a treat” kinda theme.
Princess Kaiulani
April 18, 2016
I’ve been obsessed with all the cookie decorating videos going around lately!! These are so unique and cute. I haven’t seen any like it before.
Kari
April 18, 2016
What a hilarious idea! These are so fun looking and very adult!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Thanks, Kari!
Melle Blanche
April 19, 2016
The best pharmacy ! 😀
Julia R
April 19, 2016
Yes they look pretty, but I have a problem with the pill thing being around children
Cintia
April 19, 2016
AMAZING!!!
http://soldenochedecocrochet.blogspot.com.ar/
Thank you, Cintia!
Pat
April 19, 2016
Why would you make these???
There are enough issues with pill popping of all ages. Why promote it???
Pam
April 19, 2016
These are SO CUTE!!!! One of my friends just had surgery and I know she would love to receive a couple of these!!!! Thanks for the great idea!
Thanks, Pam! I think these would be perfect as a “get well soon” gift!
Michelle
April 19, 2016
I think I know what I am making for our company bake sale this week – Happy Pills!!!
Renée Yoxon
April 20, 2016
As a person with chronic illness, it makes me so happy to see happy little pill capsule cookies. I get some of the commenters worries about teaching children to associate pills with things that are safe to eat, but in the right context I think these cookies are wonderful 🙂
Thanks Renee, I hope you enjoy these happy pills! 🙂
Jen H
April 20, 2016
Some of the comments are funny…of course these are not a good idea for kids. These are PERFECT for my brother who is leaving to attend med school! Very cute idea.
🙂
I agree they might be a cute decoration at a going away party for your brother. As a physician though, my first thought about these was not one of enthusiasm. As a society we are overmedicated (I have nothing against prescribing when needed but there are many who want medications when they are not warranted, and there’s a huge opioid epidemic going on). There’s no doubt these cookies are beautifully done but I for one do not like the concept. I know my view might be a downer for many and too serious for this little blog post (I understand that obviously you didn’t set out to make a social commentary by creating these cookies/this blog post) but these were my thoughts!
Deborah
April 29, 2016
It’s so cute! I loved. I think it’s the perfect thing to send to a friend who is sick. s2
Xo, Deborah
http://www.loveandeverythingblog.com