Have you ever been intimidated by holiday baking because, let’s face it, it’s just a lot of work? I have; and I love baking! (And on top of that, I love making large quantities – which is intimidating on its own)! Sometimes it seems like the intimidation factor in life is enough to keep us from getting things done. So, today I want to remove that factor in at least one area by teaching you the easiest, fastest way to frost cookies.
Let’s ditch spreading frosting with a knife and learn to dip cookies like a pro!
The best kind of icing to frost cookies, fast
For this tutorial, I’ll show you how to do this with 2 different types of frosting.
- Glaze icing (recipe below)
- Royal icing
These two types of frosting can be made with a thin consistency, which is perfect for dipping cookies to get a smooth, flat finish! Read on for all of my tips and tricks, recipes for great consistency, and the method I use for dipping my cookies.
How to get the icing perfectly smooth
The trick is honestly just consistency, and technique. This tutorial will teach you both: How to make icing with the right consistency, and how to get the right technique so that you end up with a glossy, smooth finish – in about 2 seconds per cookie. Yup, that’s correct – 2 seconds!
Tips for the fastest way to frost cookies
There are a few tips for getting the frosting smooth, but honestly, one thing I love about this method is that it’s quite forgiving. Even when they “Get messed up,” they still look pretty good.
Here are a few tips for making your cookies perfect:
1 – Test 1 or 2 cookies first
Get used to the process! Trying it out with a couple of cookies can give you the hang of it pretty quickly.
2 – Use a bowl with a flat edge
These cookies are dipped to get their perfect look, and the edge of the bowl is what makes the frosting smooth. Using a bowl with flat edges doesn’t matter as much as you might think, but if you’re aiming for absolute perfection, that is one way you might keep the icing more even.
3 – Keep your fingers out of the way
The #1 mistake I have made dipping cookies is not holding on to them by just the edges… I often get my fingers in the way, leaving little marks on the edges of my cookies instead of leaving perfectly smooth icing.
4 – Don’t disturb the cookies while they dry
It may seem obvious, but don’t leave fingerprints on your freshly decorated cookies! Let them dry before you touch them, and your cookies will look great.
The best kinds of cookies to make for this tutorial
This tutorial works best for any rolled and cut cookie recipe. Here are a few of my favourites:
- Classic Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
- Lemon Poppyseed Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
Beautiful cookies for every occasion, all year long
The easiest way to customize a simple glazed cookie like this is to get some sprinkles that suit the occasion! Check out some of my favourite sprinkle options below, or head to your local craft store to pick up your own. There are so many beautiful options out there!
- New Year’s sprinkles
- Valentine’s Day sprinkles
- Superbowl sprinkles
- St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles
- Easter sprinkles
- Canada Day sprinkles
- 4th of July sprinkles
- Back to School sprinkles
- Harvest sprinkles
- Thanksgiving sprinkles
- Christmas sprinkles (or as pictured in this post)
- Birthday sprinkles
- Baby shower sprinkles (Boy or Girl)
- Wedding sprinkles
- Anniversary sprinkles
- Graduation sprinkles
Like the sprinkles on the snowflakes in this post? Check out these snowflake sprinkles and this beautiful blend here.
How to package your cookies for gifts
I often recommend clear cellophane bags, with a white twist tie and a bit of satin ribbon or curling ribbon as one of my favourite ways to package cookies (and keep them fresh!) for gifts.
You can also get yourself some nice brown bakery boxes, and then tie them up with string or a beautiful thick ribbon in your favourite colour, or in the theme colour of your occasion.
For a seasonal look, stick a fresh flower under the string or ribbon in the spring or summer, a dried maple leaf in the fall, or a sprig of greenery and red berries for Christmas time.
You will need:
- Cookies (your choice of rolled and cut cookies, baked)
- Icing ingredients (see my Royal Icing recipe, or the recipe card below for a simple glaze)
- Gel food colouring (optional)
- Sprinkles
- Mixing bowls (small)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper
Cookie Cutters Pictured:
Printable Recipe:
Scroll down for the tutorial & process pictures!
Easy Dipping Glaze for Cookies
This simple 2 ingredient glaze recipe is the best way to dip cookies and glaze them fast - with no fuss or bother!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (150g) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
- 2 Tbsp (30ml) milk
Instructions
-
Break up/lighten the icing sugar with a spoon or measuring cup before you measure it, in case it is compacted.*
-
Mix together the icing sugar and milk until smooth.
To dip cookies in this glaze:
-
Dip the cookies upside down into the glaze, scraping off the excess on the side of the bowl. Set right side up on a parchment lined cookie sheets, and add sprinkles while it is still wet (optional). Allow the cookies to dry for at least 1 hour before storing.
Recipe Notes
*Icing sugar (powdered sugar) settles and becomes very dense/heavy over time. For measuring accuracy, always lighten the sugar with a spoon or measuring cup before you scoop it.
The Easiest, Fastest Way to Frost Cookies [Tutorial]
The Method (with Dipping Glaze):
These pictures show this method with my recipe “Easy Dipping Glaze for Cookies.” The method used for royal icing cookies is exactly the same.
1 – Prepare the icing according to the recipe instructions, and tint with gel food colouring if desired (the glaze recipe is great for pastel colours, and royal icing is better for bright, bold colours)
2 – Hold the cookie by its edges and dip it, top side down, into the icing.
3 – Gently scrape off some of the excess on the side of the bowl
Pictured: Lemon Poppyseed Tea Cookies
4 – Place the cookie, top side up, on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper to dry. Decorate with sprinkles while the glaze is still wet, if desired. (This is a great, easy way for kids to help decorate!)
5 – Add Sprinkles
Dipping Cookies with Royal Icing:
Follow the same method as above, using my Royal Icing recipe. See the recipe notes under “To thin royal icing for cookie decorating” for the correct consistency. This is a great way to achieve bold coloured frosting. I like to tint mine with gel food colouring.
These recipes are toddler approved.
If you like this tutorial, you may also like:
- Classic Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies
- Easter Cookies
- Gingerbread Wreath Cookies
And there you have it: the fastest way to frost cookies, made simple. If you like this tutorial, let me know in the comments, or go ahead and tag me in your photos on Instagram @naomicakesofficial! I love to see your great work.
Thanks for stopping in!
–Naomi
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