Necessary tools for cookie baking and decorating
- Tatyana Stoyanova
- Nov 22, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 3
Decorating cookies as a beginner can definitely be challenging at first, but it’s also incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it! Here’s how to ease frustration and enjoy the process:
1. Start Simple
• Choose Easy Designs: Begin with basic shapes like circles or stars and stick to simple patterns like polka dots, stripes, or hearts.
• Limit Colors: Use 2-3 colors to avoid overwhelming yourself.
2. Practice Makes Progress
• Practice on Paper: Before decorating cookies, practice piping designs on parchment paper to build confidence.
• Work on Consistency: Experiment with royal icing consistency for outlining (thicker) and flooding (thinner).
3. Plan Ahead
• Prep Your Cookies: Bake cookies in advance so you can focus solely on decorating.
• Organize Your Tools: Lay out piping bags, tips, and icing to keep your workspace efficient and stress-free.
4. Manage Expectations
• Don’t Aim for Perfection: Remember, even professional decorators started somewhere. Imperfections make your cookies unique!
• Celebrate Small Wins: If your lines are straight or your colors pop, that’s progress!
5. Allow Time for Mistakes
• Patience is Key: Decorating takes time, so don’t rush through the process.
• Fix Mistakes: Use a scribe tool or toothpick to fix small errors while the icing is wet.
6. Drying is Critical
• Avoid Smudging: Let each layer of icing dry completely before adding details.
• Plan Drying Time: Air-dry cookies overnight or for several hours to prevent frustration with smearing.
7. Watch Tutorials
• Follow step-by-step tutorials from beginner-friendly cookie decorators to learn techniques like outlining, flooding, and piping.
8. Have Fun with It
• Turn on holiday music, invite a friend, or sip cocoa while decorating to make it enjoyable.
• If a cookie doesn’t look perfect, remember: it’s still delicious!
9. Celebrate Your Progress
• Compare your first cookies to later attempts to see how far you’ve come.
• Share your creations with friends and family—they’ll love them no matter what!
Royal icing cookie decorating is a fun and creative activity, but it requires the right tools to achieve beautiful results. Here’s a list of our preferred essential tools for beginners:
(This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
1. Baking Tools
• Cookie Cutters: A variety of shapes for themed designs (stars, trees, hearts, etc.).
There are numerous variations of cookie cutters out there.
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Some other interesting cutters:
• Rolling Pin: To roll dough evenly to the desired thickness. Adjustable rolling pins with guides are helpful.
• Baking Sheets: Flat and sturdy sheets for evenly baked cookies.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: To prevent cookies from sticking.
2. Decorating Tools
• Piping Bags: Disposable or reusable bags to pipe royal icing.
• Bag clips: https://amzn.to/4fWnW1G
• Couplers: Allows you to change piping tips without switching bags.
• Piping Tips: Start with these basics:
• Star Tips (#13, #16): For textured details like rosettes.
• Piping bag holder stand:
3. Icing Preparation Tools
• Mixing Bowls: For preparing and coloring royal icing.
• Whisk or Hand Mixer: To mix the royal icing until it reaches the desired consistency. You can also use stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
• Spatula: For scraping bowls and mixing colors evenly.
4. Coloring and Detail Tools
• Gel Food Colors: To tint royal icing without altering its consistency. Avoid liquid food coloring.
• Scribe Tool or Toothpicks: For spreading icing, fixing details, and creating marbled effects.
• Spray Bottles/Squeeze bottles : To add small amounts of water to adjust icing consistency.
5. Decorating Accessories
• Cookie Turntable (Optional): For easier access to all sides of the cookie while decorating.
• Decorating Brushes: For painting or adding details with luster dust or food-safe paint.
• Tweezers: For placing small decorations like sprinkles or edible pearls.
6. Cleanup and Storage
• Damp Cloths: To keep piping tips from drying out between uses.
• Airtight Containers: For storing royal icing to prevent it from drying out.
• Cookie Drying Rack: For drying decorated cookies without smudging the designs.
7. Optional Enhancements for Beginners
• Stencil Holder and Stencils: To add intricate patterns with ease.
• Airbrush Kit (Optional): For shading and gradient effects as you gain confidence.
• Edible Markers: For adding small, precise details like faces or text.
8. Practice Tools
• Practice Sheets: Templates for outlining and flooding to practice on parchment before working on cookies.
• Reusable Silicone Mats: To practice designs without wasting icing.
Tips for Beginners
1. Start with simple designs like polka dots, lines, or basic flowers.
2. Practice controlling icing consistency for outlining (stiffer) and flooding (thinner).
3. Allow cookies to dry completely between layers to avoid smudging.
With these tools and a bit of patience, you’ll be on your way to creating beautifully decorated cookies!
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