How to Decorate Sugar Cookies Like a Professional

From Pinterest Dreams to Pro-Level Cookies

TL;DR: From “How do they do that?” to “I made these!”

Dreaming of decorating cookies like the ones you see on Pinterest? Start with a no-spread sugar cookie recipe, use a reliable royal icing, and master your icing consistencies (that’s the secret sauce!). Practice piping and flooding, then move on to fun techniques like marbling and florals. With a little patience you’ll be decorating like a pro in no time.

If you’ve ever been scrolling Pinterest and thought, “How do decorate sugar cookies like that?”  You’re in the right spot!

Here’s the good news: those picture-perfect cookies don’t require a culinary degree or a bakery in your backyard. With the right recipes, a few handy tools, and a little bit of good ol’ fashioned practice, you can create cookies that are just as stunning as anything you’ve pinned. Let’s take it step by step.

Want to decorate cookies like a pro? Start with a no-spread sugar cookie recipe, learn your royal icing consistencies, and practice basic piping and flooding. Once you get the hang of it, try out fun techniques like marbling, florals, and dimension. With some practice you’ll be bakin’ up beauties right from your own kitchen.

Step One: Start with a No Spread Sugar Cookie Recipe

Perfectly shaped cookies start with the dough. A reliable no spread sugar cookie recipe ensures your cookies hold their shape during baking, no more blob shapes or distorted edges.

Pro Tip: Freeze dough in rolled sheets between parchment paper for 15 minutes prior to cutting out shapes for perfect, no spread cookies.

Step Two: Use a Royal Icing Recipe You Can Count On

Royal icing is what professional cookie decorators use to create that flowy icing that covers the cookie. But not all icing recipes are created equal. My tried-and-true royal icing recipe pipes like a dream and floods smooth as silk.

Step Three: Master Royal Icing Consistency

This is the game-changer. Learning the difference between stiff, medium, and flood consistency is what separates the hobbyist from the pro decorator. Don’t worry, it takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, everything becomes easier. Take a look at the Free Icing Consistency Online Class I've Created for you.

Practice Tip: Use parchment paper or the free practice page that comes with the consistency class to practice piping before using a cookie.

Step Four: Practice Piping and Flooding

Start simple. Outline your cookie, then flood the inside using a piping bag. Use a scribe tool or toothpick to spread the icing evenly and pop air bubbles.

Your first few cookies may look a little wonky, and that’s okay! Every cookie you decorate builds your skills.

Step Five: Learn Royal Icing Techniques

Once you're comfortable with the basics, it’s time to explore! Try wet-on-wet techniques, marbling, simple florals, or even dimensional details. Each new technique adds to your decorating toolbox.

Ready to Decorate Sugar Cookies Like a Pro?

You absolutely can do this. With a good recipe, a few tools, and a little practice, you’ll be making cookies fit for a bridal shower, bake sale, or just because it’s Tuesday.

Remember, every cookie you decorate is a little love letter in sugar form. So roll up those sleeves and let’s make somethin’ sweet.

You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.