Learn how to decorate cookies like a pro.
Below you will find recipes and cookie tutorials for all occasions. Decorating cookies is one of my favorite things to make, no matter what holiday season. From Christmas cookies to Halloween we have a cookie design for every holiday! Keep reading to find out how you can make decorated cookies with royal icing like a pro!
Cookie decorating info
One of the most important parts of cookie decorating is finding a cookie icing recipe that hardens. Making homemade icing can feel like it’s a daunting task if you don’t have the right icing consistency. With just a few simple ingredients you can easily make royal icing to make intricate designs or assemble fun gingerbread houses. This is the perfect royal icing recipe for iced sugar cookies, it can be tinted with gel food coloring to make different colors when decorating holiday cookies. Using a small amount of corn syrup, you can achieve a glossy sugar cookie icing every time. Once you get the hang of it, these cookies are so much fun to make, you will always want them on your holiday table no matter the theme.
Here are a few of the basic ingredients you will need to make a cookie icing recipe that hardens
Helpful tips on how to store decorated cookies with royal icing
You can store your decorated cookies at room temperature, they do not need to be refrigerated. Keep them stored in an airtight container with a lid or covered with plastic wrap on a tray.
Helpful tips
- You can make icing ahead of time, fill piping bags, and store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Lay a damp towel over the top of your icing bowl to prevent icing drying out and getting crusty.
- The easiest way to change the consistency of your icing is to add a few drops of water.
- For pure white icing, make sure you use clear vanilla extract. Important tip if you need white icing for snow on Christmas cookies.
- If you mess up the top of your cookies you can always scrape the icing off and start over
- Gel food colors are better than liquid food coloring because they don’t change the icing consistency
- You can flavor icing by using lemon extract or maple syrup
- Use a small round piping tip to outline icing on top of cookies before you add your flood icing for a perfect edge every time.
Can I store leftover icing?
Yes! An easy way to store leftover royal icing is to place in a plastic or glass container with a lid and place in the fridge. I have personally kept leftover icing in the fridge for up to two weeks and it is still the perfect consistency, all I had to do was stir, and add food coloring.
Here are a few helpful basic kitchen tools that you will need in order to decorate cookies. Most of these items can be found at craft stores like Michaels or Hobby lobby.
Piping bag Stand mixer Cookie cutter gel food colors small round tips Measuring cup Rubber spatula squeeze bottles