Coming off of the labor intensive gingerbread village I shared with you in my last post, these guys were a breeze to make! After some persuasion from a cookie friend {you know who you are}, here is a brief tutorial on how to create these rustic gnomes, all Santa-esque, in time for Christmas.
I first found a photo in holiday catalog similar to this design and made a quick sketch. Since it was influenced by an image, I didn’t have a cookie cutter exactly like it but knew I had some general shapes that would fit the bill.
I wanted a long, pointy hat and a fuller beard so I used these two and did a little cuttin’ and pastin’.
Notice I sort of shaped the dough a little longer and smoother to get the look I had envisioned. It’s all good, because they bake together nicely.
Now let’s get to the icing! First the white beard with sanding sugar and then the red hat. I did leave a small space between the two on purpose. The colors would bleed if they touched when wet, so I choose to leave a space to shorten the wait time. You do have to allow the top and bottom dry a wee bit before you pipe the nose though…
It’s best to hold off until the next day to add the patterns to your hat with a food coloring marker. You could always pipe the details on, but I liked the ease and freedom of the Doodler. 
And that is how I made my Santa Gnomes!
I wanted a woodsy, folk art feeling with these cookies and I really loved the result. The patterns for my hats were inspired by my crazy talented brother-in-law who is an incredible artist. His drawings are made up of wonderful characters influenced by his surroundings in Maine. I cannot wait to brag him up once his Etsy shop is running. The kid is amazing!
Another holiday post completed and a few more for you when I get the chance…wonder if I could do the 12 cookie blogs of Christmas?
Melissa Joy Cookies 
These are adorable!! Knew where the beard came from but was wondering about the hat!!! Genius!!! So simple but so unique!!! Thanks for sharing–Katy
Thank YOU for always stopping by to comment! 🙂
These are aweeeesome! I love how easy they are, I love your cutter mash-up, and I love the pattern on their hats. Oh, and their big noses, too!! Awesome Melissa! 🙂
Easy=Awesome. 🙂
Adorable! Can I get some of these in my order?? 🙂 Would love to try the gingerbread.
Making these this year! I may just have to handcut though….I just love them to pieces! And thank you for making the tutorial, and so quickly!!!
Easy cookies are the best! Love the noses on these guys. 😛 Super creative!!
Is joy your maiden name?
Nope, Joy was the middle name my Auntie “gave” to me, because my parents didn’t give me one!
How adorable; and now you design cookie cutters as well! Did I miss something? What did you use for the cute nose?
I just use the cutters I have to make the cookies I want! 🙂 The nose is simply made with a squirt of frosting. Thanks for stopping by my page, Kathy!
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So adorable!!! I love these knomes!
I see this was posted several years ago, but I am sending compliments anyway! I am 1/2 Norwegian and always on the lookout for super cute ideas for the holidays. Many thanks
One of my favorites! And now, they are super popular in cookie land. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my site!