Heba Elalfy (Spectacular Pakistan)

by Faiza Sherjeel
(Lahore, Pakistan)

Spectacular Pakistan: An International Sugar Art Collaboration hosted by Faiza Sherjeel

Event: Spectacular Pakistan
Participant: Heba Elalfy
Venture: Sweet Dreams by Heba
Location: USA

Heba Elalfy from USA Spectacular Pakistan: An International Sugar Art Collaboration - Interview

When baking became a hobby for me in recent years, I've incorporated my artistic side into my sweets as I've always enjoyed art and decorating as well as traditions like Henna application. My work has been featured in many online blog websites, and printed in many international magazines. It's an honor and joy to partake in this beautiful collaboration.

Cookie inspiration : Monal Pheasant

About my cookie: When searching for beauty in Pakistan, many images caught my attention but when I saw this photo of the Monal Pheasant, it took my breath away and I immediately knew that I wanted to recreate it.

This glorious bird is found in the Himalayan region of northern Pakistan. This large bird is regarded as having the brightest and most colorful plumage in the entire bird kingdom! So for this vanilla sugar cookie, I created a rustic wood grain background using the crackle technique and then hand piped the borders and the bird with stiff Royal Icing.

Each individual Royal Icing 'feather' was meticulously placed to make it look as natural as on the real bird itself. Then came the most fun part, adding the gorgeous colors! :)

I mixed in some luminescent colors as well so that the colors would glow in the dark! I'm in love with this cookie and I hope that you are too. I'm proud to contribute my work into this collaboration showcasing a beautiful country.

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