Tribute to Lemon Cream Pie Day

I just found out today is National Lemon Cream Pie Day. I don't have enough time to bake an actual pie, but I can certainly pipe a tiny approximation. I was browsing cnn.com for actual news and came upon the story of how today is National Lemon Cream Pie day, and how all you really need to go the easy route in creating one of these pies is a box of lemon pudding mix, a pie crust, and some whipped cream.

If you're so inclined, go for it! Alternately, if you'd like to pipe one the size of a nickel to serve to Christmas elves who show up early, you'll need stiff consistency royal icing in yellow, brown and white, round tip #12, petal tip #101, star tip #18, a flower nail, a Styrofoam block to rest the nail in, parchment paper squares, a glue stick, and a dusting pouch filled with a 50/50 mix of cornstarch and powdered sugar. Start by sticking a parchment square to the flower nail with a dab from the glue stick. 

 Hold the #12 tip about 4 mm above and at a right angle to the surface, and squeeze steadily while moving the tip around in a circle. Fill in the hole in the center. Touch a fingertip to the dusting pouch and tap the icing smooth.

 Attach the #101 tip to the brown icing. With the narrow end facing upward and the wide end at the base, pipe around the perimeter of the yellow disc while rotating the nail. Pulse the #101 tip in and out to create the crimping of the pie crust as you pipe.

 Let the icing firm up for a few minutes, then finish off with a dollop from the #18 tip to suggest whipped cream. Substitute the yellow icing with orange and BOOM! You have a pumpkin pie.