Once you've mastered the basic techniques, you can really start to play around with your peeps.
Flavoring: Vanilla flavoring can be substituted with another flavoring, such as almond, mint or lemon extract. Or you can use powdered spices such as ground cinnamon. You can even use rose- or orange blossom water, which are actually quite delicious. Start by beating in about 1/4 teaspoon of the flavoring at a time and then adding more to reach the desired taste.
Coloring: Colored sugars are available at most grocery stores as well as at cooking and baking supply stores, but you can make your own custom hues: Place granulated sugar in a sealable plastic bag or jar with a few drops of food coloring, then shake until the coloring is evenly distributed. Spread the sugar out onto a rimmed baking sheet for about 30 minutes to dry, then sift the sugar before using to remove any lumps.
Los Angeles Times
