Stars for the 4th

If you're in need of something to bring to a 4th of July get-together, these cookies are worth a try! You can make them big like above or mini-stars like below.
For the Dotty Stars:

• Using a #3 tip, outline the star in white royal icing.
• Thin red and blue icing to the consistency of syrup and let sit covered with a damp dishtowel for several minutes. Run a rubber spatula through the icing to pop any air bubbles that have formed on top. (AmeriColor Super Red, Spectrum Royal Blue)
• Transfer thinned icing into squeeze bottles.
• Working with about 6 cookies at a time, fill in the cookie in the blue icing using a toothpick to coax into the corners.
• Once 6 or so are filled in blue, dot the red icing on top.
• Let dry 1 hour.
• Go over the border piping in white again, using the #3 tip.
• Let dry overnight.
• Using either warmed corn syrup or meringue powder mixed with water, "paint" over the raised border using a small paintbrush.
• Sprinkle with clear sparkling or sanding sugar.