Whether you’re brand new to cookie decorating or a cookie pro, these cookie decorating hacks will make your process so much easier!
Hack #1: The Dough Struggle Is Real
Most sugar cookie recipes say to chill the dough in a wrapped disc, but that doesn’t work for me because cold dough turns into a rock. And trying to roll that out after it’s cold nearly impossible.
The fix: Roll your soft dough between two sheets of parchment paper before chilling. Once it’s firm, just cut out your shapes and pop them onto a baking sheet. No muscle required! Yay!
Hack #2: Freezing Dough for Later
Here’s an easy way to prep cookie dough ahead of time: Place your fresh dough into a gallon-size freezer bag, then roll it out flat while it’s still in the bag!🤯 Once frozen, let it soften slightly before cutting out shapes.
Hack #3: Getting the Very Last Cookie
Need just one more cookie but your leftover dough scraps aren’t fitting the cookie cutter quite right? Try this:
Knead the final bit of dough together and press it all into your cutter,pull off the cutter, roll it a bit to smooth it out, and then cut. So easy and no wasted dough!
Hack #4: Stamping with Cocoa Powder
Stamping cookie dough can leave deep impressions, which makes decorating with royal icing harder because it’s not a flat surface. Instead, try this:
Lightly tap your cookie stamp into some dark cocoa powder, then gently press it onto chilled dough without pushing too deep (I like 0 impression for a smooth surface) Use your cutter to cut the shape, then bake.
After baking, you’ll be left with the design on the cookie which gives you a guide for decorating. Some people don’t even ice these, they leave them with just the cocoa powder design on the cookie. So cute and easy!
Bonus Hack 4B: Use Freeze-Dried Strawberries!
Inspired by the cocoa powder trick, I tried pulverized freeze-dried strawberries and it worked! I used the same method where I tapped the stamp in the powder and then I imprinted the cookie. I wasn’t planning on icing these so I pushed the stamp deeper into the cookie. They turned out so cute! I love this one!
Hack #5: Stenciling Directly onto Dough
Food-safe stencils aren’t just for Paint-Your-Own cookies, you can use them for stenciling on cookie dough, too!
Just place the stencil on your rolled dough, then gently roll over it. Using a food safe paint brush, dab cocoa powder or freeze-dried strawberry powder on top. Lift the stencil to reveal your design! Then bake, but be sure to use a no-spread cut out cookie recipe.
Hack #6: Say Goodbye to Royal Icing Craters
Cratered icing is the worst. The old trick that most of us have used for years is to pipe a squiggly line of outline consistency royal icing in tight or small areas, then let it dry, and then fill the area with flood consistency. But there’s a new trick to prevent royal icing craters! Once your base icing crusts (but isn’t dry), poke small holes in it, then pipe icing over the top. I love using both methods now. I still occasionally have issues with craters but this drastically helps.
Hack #7: Speed Up Drying with a Fan
Royal icing takes forever to dry! A small table fan (not a big one that turns your kitchen into the Arctic) speeds up drying time and gives cookies a nice shiny finish. Game changer!
Hack #8: The Microplane Touch-Up Trick
Did your cookies spread a little too much? Use a microplane grater to gently shave off the edges and sharpen your shape. You can even do this after decorating with royal icing but note it works best on white icing, as colored icing may show marks. Also, make sure the royal icing is completely dry before microplanning.
Hack #9: Fur Texture with a Brush
Want to make your teddy bear cookies look extra professional? After you’ve iced your bear cookie and it’s completely dry, pipe thin royal icing onto your cookie, then dab it gently with a clean brush while it’s wet.
The result is a fur-like texture that’s perfect for animals, cozy characters, or anything that needs a fuzzy look.
Hack #10: No More Sticky Cellophane Bags
Packaging cookies in cello bags is a great idea for keeping cookies fresh, however, they can stick to the cookie especially if there’s edible marker details or painted details on the icing. To prevent this, lightly dust your finished cookies with cornstarch before bagging. Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently brush off the excess.
I don’t recommend this for textured cookies (like those fluffy teddy bears), but it works beautifully for smooth designs.
Thanks so much for checking out these cookie decorating hacks! Have you tried any of them, or do you have a favorite trick I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below. Happy decorating!
