The right way to Embellish Sugar Cookies (4 Methods + Video)

Right here I’m demonstrating the way to embellish sugar cookies. I’ll stroll you thru 4 easy and approachable methods which are an excellent place to begin for those who’re new to cookie adorning. For those who’re intimidated or nervous about making royal icing and attempting your hand at creating festively embellished cookies, this put up and video tutorial are for you.

Decorated sugar cookies including pink flowers, white hearts, red mittens, orange pumpkins, and green trees on wire cooling rack.

Whereas I really like a great baking problem, with regards to adorning baked items, I wish to hold issues easy. Very similar to the Piping Ideas 101 tutorial I did for five primary (but stunning) methods to pipe frosting onto cupcakes, consider this as your Sugar Cookie Adorning 101 course.


Use These Adorning Methods on Any Minimize-Out Cookies

The cookies you see listed here are my traditional sugar cookies. These cookies, with their irresistible buttery vanilla taste and smooth, thick facilities, are a beautiful base for adorning with icing. They maintain their form when baking and have a flat floor that’s excellent for adorning.

sugar cookies in various shapes and sizes on marble counter.

These cookie adorning methods can all be used on different forms of cut-out cookies, too:


Now Let’s Speak About Royal Icing

I’ve a separate put up all about royal icing with numerous tips about the way to make it, however I’ve additionally included a printable recipe card under. Royal icing is my most well-liked sugar cookie icing as a result of it’s simple to work with, dries inside 1–2 hours, and doesn’t harden into cement (it’s on the softer facet!).

I particularly love this explicit royal icing as a result of you need to use it for each outlining and flooding your cookies.

It’s made with meringue powder, which takes the place of the uncooked egg whites present in conventional royal icing recipes. Yow will discover meringue powder in some baking aisles, most craft shops with a baking part, and on-line; one container ought to final you a very long time.

royal icing in mixing bowl

Royal Icing Various: Glaze Icing

For those who’d want to go along with one thing that’s just a little simpler to make, strive my simple cookie icing. This opaque glaze-like icing doesn’t set/dry as rapidly as royal icing (it takes about 24 hours) and it’s not very best for piping sharp element. That being mentioned, typically it’s simply the extra handy choice!


Tint the Icing and Fill Your Piping Baggage

You’ll be able to hold the icing white or tint the icing with gel meals coloring. To paint it, divide it into small bowls. Add gel meals coloring to every bowl and blend effectively.

Seize a piping bag for every colour of icing. Match every with a coupler and piping tip. I usually use Wilton piping tip #4 for each outlining and flooding the cookie with icing. This can be a fantastic primary piping tip to have in your assortment. After I’m utilizing a number of colours with the identical piping tip, I all the time use couplers. This makes it simple to swap piping ideas among the many totally different coloured baggage of icing. Spoon the icing into the piping bag.

  • Clips: I exploit these clips to safe the top of the piping bag, so the icing doesn’t leak out the top of the bag.
piping bags and tips with icing on marble counter.

Now let me present you the way to embellish sugar cookies with 4 easy methods.

pink and purple decorated flower-shaped sugar cookies.

1. Flooding Icing: Piping a Single Layer of Icing

Let’s begin with essentially the most primary method: adorning with a single layer of icing.

First, pipe a top level view throughout your cookie. Then fill within the heart of the define—that is known as “flooding.” Go forward and add some sprinkles whereas the icing remains to be moist, as pictured on the snowflake- and sweet cane-shaped cookies under.


2. Piping Two Layers of Royal Icing

The following methodology is a double layer of icing, which implies you pipe and flood the cookies and let that layer of icing set, after which return later to pipe some particulars on prime. Polka dots, stripes, swirls, or writing will stand out fantastically with this methodology. You’ll be able to swap icing colours and/or piping ideas for a finer element.

Begin by piping and flooding the cookie with a layer of icing, similar to we did earlier than. Let that set for 1–2 hours, after which you may pipe on a second layer of icing particulars as soon as the primary layer has dried. Once more, you may pace up the drying time by putting the iced cookies within the fridge.

So as to add some swirls on prime of the pictured coronary heart cookies, I switched piping ideas from the Wilton #4 to the smaller Wilton #2. A smaller tip will pipe a extra outlined and detailed design.

heart-shaped sugar cookies with white decorated icing on top.heart-shaped sugar cookies with white decorated icing on top.

3. The right way to Pipe Icing in Outlined Sections

I really like this look, as a result of in case you are solely utilizing one colour, it offers the icing some dimension. And for those who’re utilizing a number of colours, this methodology retains the colours from bleeding collectively.

Begin with one colour, and pipe each different part or space of your cookie, then let it set earlier than you pipe the remaining sections/areas. For the pumpkin cookies, I define and flood the middle, after which the 2 sides, leaving house between every part. Let the icing dry for no less than half-hour.

As soon as the icing is semi-set, you may go forward and fill the remaining sections with icing.

This “outlined sections” methodology takes just a little extra time, however for those who’re adorning plenty of cookies, it’s possible you’ll discover that by the point you end piping the primary sections on all of the cookies, the icing may have set sufficient to begin piping on the remaining sections.


4. Piping in Sections + Sprinkle Dip

This method offers the cookie that very same sectioned look as above, however you don’t have to attend half-hour for the primary part to set.

Begin by piping on the part you wish to cowl with sprinkles or glowing sugar. Dip the cookie into the sprinkles, in order that they fully coat the icing. Then pipe in your remaining sections. Once more, you may swap colours right here for those who’d like, and also you don’t have to fret in regards to the colours bleeding collectively as a result of the primary colour was lined in sprinkles.

mitten shaped cookies with white icing on bottom and then shown again dipped in red sparkling sugar sprinkles.mitten shaped cookies with white icing on bottom and then shown again dipped in red sparkling sugar sprinkles.

For the flower cookies under, I used a mixture of each methods #3 and #4: I piped the circle within the heart first, after which dipped it in sprinkles. Then I piped on each different petal, and let these set earlier than going again and piping on the remaining petals.

collage of photos showing icing being piped on flower-shaped cookie.collage of photos showing icing being piped on flower-shaped cookie.

Be certain to observe the video tutorial under to see me reveal all of those methods. I hope this put up and video helps you overcome any fears you will have about cookie adorning, as a result of even easy methods could make for stunning cookies. Simply take your time and have enjoyable with it!

Cookie Adorning Instruments

Now you’re able to host a Cookie Adorning Day! 😉

Print

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decorated sugar cookies on baking sheet including hearts, pumpkins, trees, mittens, and flowers.decorated sugar cookies on baking sheet including hearts, pumpkins, trees, mittens, and flowers.

4 Simple Methods to Embellish Sugar Cookies

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  • Creator:
    Sally


  • Prep Time:
    5 minutes


  • Prepare dinner Time:
    0 minutes


  • Whole Time:
    5 minutes


  • Yield:
    3 cups for two dozen cookies


  • Class:
    Dessert


  • Delicacies:
    American


Description

Right here is my traditional simple royal icing made with meringue powder, plus numerous methods to make use of it for adorning cookies. You should utilize this conventional royal icing for each flooding and outlining your cookies. Be certain to observe the video tutorial under to see me reveal the adorning methods.



Directions

  1. Have your sugar cookies baked and cooled. You’ll be able to use this recipe, or your favourite recipe for sugar cookies. This icing is sufficient to ice 2 dozen cookies.
  2. Make the Icing: Pour sifted confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and 9 Tablespoons of water into a big bowl. Utilizing a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat icing components collectively on excessive pace for 1.5–2 minutes. When lifting the whisk up off the icing, the icing ought to drizzle down and clean out inside 5–10 seconds. If it’s too thick, beat in additional water 1 Tablespoon at a time. I often want 10 Tablespoons, however on significantly dry days, I exploit as much as 12–14 Tablespoons. Needless to say the longer you beat the royal icing, the thicker it turns into. In case your royal icing is just too skinny, simply hold beating it to introduce extra air, OR you may add extra sifted confectioners’ sugar. See this video for those who want a visible.
  3. Coloration the Icing: For those who’d wish to tint the icing, divide it into separate bowls for every colour, or tint all the batch one colour. Somewhat gel meals coloring goes a great distance, so use a toothpick to dot the gel into the icing. Stir it in, after which add extra to deepen the colour if desired. Needless to say the extra you stir, the thicker the icing turns into. If wanted, stir in a couple of drops of water to take care of the goal consistency.
  4. Fill the Pastry Bag: Match a pastry bag with a small spherical piping tip (and use a coupler for those who plan to modify icing colours and/or piping ideas), equivalent to Wilton piping tip #4. Fill the bag with icing, ensuring to go away a couple of inches of house on the prime of the bag. Twist to seal or use a clip.
  5. Embellish Your Cookies utilizing any of the next strategies, then proceed to step 10.
  6. Simple Flooding: Utilizing a small spherical piping tip equivalent to Wilton piping tip #4, pipe a top level view of icing throughout your cookie. Then fill within the heart of the define with extra icing. If desired, you may add some sprinkles whereas the icing remains to be moist.
  7. Two Layers of Icing: Begin by piping and flooding the cookie with a layer of icing, simply as described above. Let that set for 1–2 hours, after which pipe on a second layer of icing particulars as soon as the primary layer has dried, equivalent to swirls, handwriting, dots, and different designs. A smaller piping tip, equivalent to Wilton piping tip #2, is good for intricate designs/particulars. Let the icing set once more earlier than you stack and retailer the cookies.
  8. Piping Outlined Sections: This look offers the icing ornament some dimension. Additionally, for those who’re utilizing a number of colours, this methodology retains the colours from bleeding collectively. Begin with one colour, and utilizing Wilton piping tip #4, pipe each different part or space of your cookie, then let it set earlier than you pipe the remaining sections/areas. For the pictured pumpkin and tree cookies, I define and flood the middle, after which the 2 sides, leaving house between every part. Let the icing dry for no less than half-hour, till the icing has begun to set. As soon as the icing is semi-set, you may go forward and fill the remaining sections with icing.
  9. Piping Outlined Sections + Sprinkles: This method offers the cookie that very same sectioned look as #3, however you don’t have to attend half-hour for the primary part to set. Utilizing Wilton piping tip #4, begin by piping on the part you wish to cowl with sprinkles or glowing sugar. Dip the cookie into the sprinkles, in order that they fully coat the icing. Then pipe in your remaining sections.
  10. Let the Icing Set: When utilized to cookies in a skinny layer, royal icing fully dries in about 2 hours at room temperature. If icing consistency is just too skinny and runny, it’s going to take longer to dry. If the icing is utilized very thick on cookies, it’s going to additionally take longer to dry. For those who’re layering royal icing onto cookies for particular designs and wish it to set rapidly, place cookies within the fridge to assist pace it up.

Notes

  1. Make Forward Directions: You’ll be able to put together this royal icing 2–3 days forward of time. I like to recommend transferring it to a smaller bowl or container and tightly sealing for as much as 3 days within the fridge. Whenever you’re prepared to make use of it, let it come to room temperature, then combine it with a whisk a couple of instances, as it might have separated. If it thickened, whisk in a couple of drops of water.
  2. Freezing Directions: Any leftover royal icing could be frozen for as much as 2 months. Place leftover royal icing into zip-top freezer baggage. When you’ve got greater than 1 colour, every colour needs to be in its personal bag. Earlier than sealing, squeeze as a lot air out of the bag as doable. Freeze on a flat shelf floor in your freezer. Thaw in a single day within the fridge and produce to room temperature earlier than utilizing once more.
  3. Freezing Embellished Cookies: Embellished sugar cookies freeze effectively for as much as 3 months. Look forward to the icing to set fully earlier than layering between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-friendly container. Thaw within the fridge or at room temperature. 
  4. Hold Royal Icing Moist: Whenever you’re not working instantly with the royal icing (for instance, you’re adorning cookies however you continue to have some icing left within the bowl that you simply intend to make use of subsequent), place a moist paper towel instantly on the floor of the royal icing. This prevents it from hardening.
  5. Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Electrical Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer) | Meringue PowderGel Meals Coloring | Disposable or Reusable Piping Baggage | Bag Clips or Ties | Couplers | Wilton Piping Tip #4 | Wilton Piping Tip #2
  6. Non-compulsory Flavors: Be at liberty so as to add 1/2 teaspoon of your favourite flavored extract, equivalent to lemon, orange, maple, peppermint, and so on. while you add the water. Style after the icing comes collectively, then beat in additional if desired. You too can use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

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