Are you wanting to decorate your own sugar cookies but don’t know where to start? Here are 6 essential cookie decorating tools for beginners to take your cookies to the next level!
I began decorating sugar cookies a few years ago while trying to find a unique cookie idea for Christmas gifts. In my search I found sugar cookies decorated with buttercream. Now, I know that royal icing cookies get a lot of attention (those are the cookies with hard icing on top) but if you have not made a sugar cookie decorated with buttercream you are missing out! Not only does buttercream taste amazing, but it can be decorated beautifully on cookies. One thing I quickly learned when I began my cookie decorating journey is that using the best cookie decorating tools is essential.
Cookie Decorating Tools for Beginners
1. Cookie Cutters
One of the first sugar cookie decorating supplies you will need is a cookie cutter. You can find almost any shape cookie cutter you want, which is great when you’re looking to make themed cookies. Ann Clark makes high quality cookie cutters in so many different shapes!
2. Stand Mixer
A stand mixer doesn’t necessarily help in the decorating process, but it does help in the frosting making process. While a stand mixer isn’t a necessity, it is extremely helpful. In order to achieve the correct buttercream consistency, a lot of mixing is involved and your arm will get very tired. When I first started baking cakes and cookies, I used an electric hand mixer but after mixing the buttercream for 5 minutes I realized a KitchenAid would need to be in my future. It is completely possible to use an electric hand mixer to mix up your buttercream, but the stand mixer definitely comes in handy when you’re making large batches of frosting.
3. Gel Food Coloring
I have used a few different brands of food coloring to color my buttercream, but I’ve found that Americolor makes the best gel food coloring. They offer so many different colors and a little goes a long way! Americolor’s gel food coloring distributes evenly and gives a consistent color when decorating. It is highly pigmented and it’s important to let the frosting sit for a few minutes before using it as the color darkens slightly.
4. Piping Tips
The correct piping tip is probably the most important tool when it comes to decorating your sugar cookies exactly the way you want. If you are just starting out with cookie decorating I recommend buying two tips- a 1M open star and #4 round tip. The 1M open start tip is perfect for creating rosettes on a round cookie and is a great for beginners. (This is also a great piping tip for decorating cakes.) The size 4 round tip is the best size for outlining and creating the straight lines when decorating shaped cookies. After you purchase those two, there are so many different piping tips that can make amazing designs on your cookies!
5. Piping Bags
You will need piping bags to put your tips into! I highly recommend getting disposable bags. It is so much easier to throw away the bags after you’re done rather than having to wash buttercream out of reusable ones. I like using these 12 inch disposable bags. To have good control of the piping bag, you don’t want to have a ton of frosting in it, so the 12 inch bags provide more than enough room. They are inexpensive and a box will last you a very long time!
6. Sprinkles
When in doubt, add sprinkles! I love the sprinkles from SprinklePop. They have so many different colors and themes to choose from. You can add a few sprinkles to a simple rosette cookie or coat a whole frosted cookie with colorful sprinkles. Really, you can never go wrong with sprinkles!
If you’re looking for some cookie decorating inspiration, be sure to check out this post and my Instagram- AshlynMarieBakes.
This post was all about cookie decorating tools for beginners.
