The Bakelings Blog

Creating beautifully decorated sugar cookies requires the right tools and fundamental techniques. This guide covers everything beginners need to start their cookie decorating journey.

Essential Tools for Cookie Decorating

Cookie Cutters: Invest in quality PLA or stainless steel cutters with clean, sharp edges. These produce consistent shapes with smooth edges that are easier to decorate.

Piping Bags and Tips: Start with round tips in sizes 2, 3, and 4. These versatile tips handle most outlining and detail work. Reusable silicone bags offer economy and sustainability for regular decorators.

Royal Icing Ingredients: Meringue powder or egg whites, powdered sugar, and water or lemon juice are the foundations of royal icing—the preferred medium for decorated cookies.

Gel Food Colors: Gel colors provide vibrant hues without thinning your icing. Start with primary colors and mix your own custom shades.

Scribe Tool or Toothpick: These tools help pop air bubbles and guide icing into corners during the flooding process.

The Flood and Outline Method

This classic technique creates smooth, professional-looking cookies with defined edges.

Step 1: Outline Using stiff consistency royal icing, pipe an outline around the entire edge of your cookie. This creates a dam that contains the flood icing. Keep your outline about 1/8 inch from the edge for the cleanest look.

Step 2: Flood Immediately after outlining (while the outline is still wet), fill the interior with flood consistency icing. Work from the center outward, using a scribe tool to guide icing into corners and pop any air bubbles.

Step 3: Dry Allow cookies to dry completely at room temperature, typically 6-8 hours or overnight. Don't rush this process—incomplete drying leads to smudged designs.

Step 4: Add Details Once your base is completely dry, add details, patterns, or additional colors on top. Each layer must dry before adding the next.

Color Combinations That Work

Start with simple two or three-color schemes. Classic combinations include:

• White and gold for elegance
• Pastels for baby showers and spring themes
• Black and white for modern, graphic designs
• Red and white for holidays

Common Beginner Mistakes

Overmixing Royal Icing: This incorporates too much air, creating bubbles that mar your smooth surface.

Wrong Consistency: Practice the consistency tests described in our royal icing guide. Consistency is the most critical factor in success.

Impatience: Rushing between layers causes smudging and bleeding colors. Always allow complete drying time.

Working in Humidity: Royal icing doesn't dry properly in humid conditions. Use a dehumidifier or wait for drier weather for best results.

Practice Projects for Beginners

Start with simple shapes like circles, hearts, or squares. These forgiving shapes let you practice flood and outline techniques without the pressure of intricate designs. Once you master basic flooding, move to simple patterns like dots, lines, and stripes before attempting complex designs.

Pro Tip: Keep your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 weeks. Never refrigerate royal icing cookies, as condensation will ruin the finish.