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Cookie Decorating Supplies

It can be so overwhelming to know what cookie decorating supplies you need to decorate cookies with royal icing. Don’t worry, I got you! This posted is dedicated to ALL of the supplies that I use and love for every aspect of cookie decorating from baking to decorating. AND, as often as possible I provide “basic” and “splurge” options for each item.

image of fruit royal icing cookies

Included on this page are (click on link to skip to that section):

  1. Discount Codes
  2. Bare Minimum Cookie Decorating Supplies for the Beginner
  3. Basic Ingredients for Baking & Decorating
  4. Basic Baking Supplies
  5. Basic Cookie Decorating Supplies
  6. Next Step Cookie Decorating Supplies for the Intermediate/Advanced Cookier
  7. My favorite Amazon products
  8. My favorite Borderlands Bakery products
  9. My favorite The Sugar Art products
  10. My Favorite Small Businesses to Shop Cookie Supplies

*DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links which means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase from one of my links. I greatly appreciate your support!

Discount Codes

I am a member of a few different affiliate programs, most of which give me a discount code that I can extend to y’all! I do receive a small commission when you use my discount code or the links I provide, which I greatly appreciate because it all adds up and allows me to do what I love! So if you’re hankering to buy a product from one of the following sites, please do use my code and/or link (either the general website link I provide below or any of the links provided below). Thank you!

AMAZON

Link to my Amazon Shop (ALL my favorite products on Amazon)

BORDERLANDS BAKERY (specialty cookie product shop) 

My affiliate link

Use this code for 10% off: THEGRACEFULBAKER10

BRIGHTON CUTTERS (cookie cutters)

Use this link for 10% of your first order!

CHUA COOKIE (pink perforated baking mats)

Click here for the baking mats that I use (I use the HALF SHEET version 1 to fit the Nordic Ware pans)

Use code Chua15Grace23 for 15% off your order!!!

FLODESK (email marketing–it’s what I use!)

Use this link for 50% off!

THE SUGAR ART (metallic dusts, powdered colors, glitter & more!)

My affiliate link

Use this code for 10% off: THEGRACEFULBAKER10

SWEET DESIGNS SHOPPE (cookie cutters)

My affiliate link

No discount code! But I do have affiliate links — if you access their website from my affiliate link I get a small kickback commission (thank you!).

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Bare Minimum Cookie Decorating Supplies for the Beginner

All of the various tools and gadgets can be SO overwhelming these days! The bare minimum that you need to get started are (see specific products listed later on this page): 

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Basic Ingredients for Cookie & Icing Recipe

Cookie (see this post for my cookie recipe)

Icing (see this post for my icing recipe)

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Basic Baking Supplies

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer (I prefer the stand mixer)
  • Pans
  • Pan lids (I love these for storing cookies overnight! AFTER having dried of course)
  • Parchment paper sheets or Chua Cookie perforated mats (my fav!)
    • For the pink mats I use the HALF SHEET version 1 to fit the Nordic Ware pans (my fav!) – Use code Chua15Grace23 for 15% off your order! **Do NOT wash with scented soap! Make sure all soap is thoroughly cleaned from the mat before drying. (I use the Nordic Ware half sheet with their matching lids.)
  • Rolling pin
    • I have this rolling pin by J.K. Adams that appears to be out of stock even on their website
    • Here is another similar one
    • You just need a simple wooden STRAIGHT rolling pin (not the French ones that are tapered). It is much easier to use these longer rolling pins with the rolling guides than the rolling pins with handles.
  • Rolling guides (mine are 5/16”)
    • OR you can buy the rolling pins with guides on them (I’ve never found a rolling pin that includes a 5/16″ guide)
    • OR you can simply purchase 5/16″ dowels from a place like Home Depot/Lowe’s!
    • If you don’t have access to a 5/16″ guide, either eye ball it or use the more common 1/4″ or 3/8″ (which one you choose is up to you! 1/4″ could be most easily over baked and will produce more cookies; 3/8″ will have a softer bite since they’re thicker and will produce fewer cookies)
  • Vanilla (this is the ONE baking ingredient I splurge on): Nielsen Massey Vanilla Bean Paste (affiliate link)
  • Food scale for measuring ingredients

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Basic Cookie Decorating Supplies

Food Coloring

GEL COLORS

Generally, I recommend gel colors most often, and especially for beginners.

  • Link for basic set of Wilton colors (the only color I do *not* like from Wilton is their brown as it’s more yellowy than a warm brown)
  • I’d recommend these over Wilton if budget allows and you instead to decorate more–better quality colors, bottles and larger amounts of color:
    • Chefmaster – small bottles OR large bottles
      • **I’m newly obsessed with Chefmaster and highly recommend getting the large bottle set (you can mix just about any color you need from them!) or the small bottles if you prefer more premade colors
      • *You CAN use Chefmaster Bakers Rose (pink) and Deep Pink with my lemon royal icing!!
    • Link for basic set of Americolor
      • Please note: you cannot use Americolor pinks with my lemon royal icing
    • Artisan Accents (I’ve never used these but it’s reputable brand loved by others I know!)
      • Please note: I’ve never tried their pink option with my lemon royal icing

POWDERED COLORS

The Sugar Art Master Elites are a highly pigmented powder and they are a MUST for red and black.

Tipless piping bags 

Tipless piping bags are all the rage these days. Gone are the days of using tips and couplers (for the most part) simply for ease! That said, no shame in still using tips if that’s what you prefer! 

For beginners…

I suggest tipless bags partly because I prefer them and partly because it’s the least investment. Other options are reusable bags that are meant to be used with tips and/or candy melt bottles. 

For this there is really no “basic” — they’re all about the same price. It’s more about shipping speed. So I have some Amazon options and my favorite (which is actually less expensive than the Amazon! Go figure!): 

  • MY FAVORITE (cheaply made bags can and will pop at the seams–I’ve used hundreds of this brand and one pop!):
  • Amazon (I’ve never purchased bags from Amazon, but I know people who do! These are the ones they recommend):

Looking for reusable alternatives to tipless piping bags?

Please note I do NOT provide instruction for these alternatives, I’ve just been asked for other options so I wanted to provide them. Below is the extent of product links/guidance I’m able to give at this time on alternatives.

I’ve never used reusable bags for royal icing, so I’m not able to give any recommendations on these. But, I do have experience with bottles. When I first started decorating years ago I used plastic bags/tips to outline and bottles to flood. You can use a bottle with a piping tip for a soft peak piping consistency, but anything thicker (medium or stiff peak) you’ll want to use a bag.

In terms of piping tip sizes:

  • for outlining I’d say a Wilton/PME size 2
  • for flooding… I’m not 100% sure as I never used tips to flood…I’d guess a 3 for a thinner flood and a 4 for a thicker flood (I used the “big bottles” below to flood, which don’t have an interchangeable piping tip)

Here are some recommendations for bottles:

Bag ties / clips

  • Basic: rubber bands or use a bag big enough to tie the end with a knot
  • Splurge:

Sharp scissors (to cut the bags!)

Sprinkles

Scribe tool 

  • Basic: toothpicks 
  • Splurges (I always use these 3 scribes when decorating):
    • My favorite one for all purpose is sold by Borderlands Bakery–the shorter one with the heart (they might not make this anymore)
    • I also can’t live without my Thingamagenie for a thicker scribe and booboo scraper 
    • And my PME scribe for really fine work 

Crackle Tool

  • Basic: You don’t need a fancy tool for the crackle technique we do in this class, but you do need something with a rounded end. Examples of pen, paintbrush and scribe ends below, as well as links for this kind of dual action scribe from Amazon (if you need a scribe, this is a great option!).
image of different tools used for the crackle technique in cookie decorating

Meringue powder

photo of wilton meringue powder

FYI: I’ve heard bad things about Judee’s meringue powder from Amazon, although I’ve never personally tried it

Water source (while mixing icing consistencies)

  • Basic: trickle from the tap 😉 
  • Splurge: (make sure to ONLY ever use water in these!)

Light while decorating

  • Basic: you already have excellent lighting in your room (I do not! ha)
  • Splurge: daylight lamp (I have this and it’s a must–I use it for filming as well) 

Drying method 

Icing Storage

photo of different icing storage containers used in cookie decorating supplies

See this post for much more detail on how I store icing and what I use

  • My favorite way to store icing is in these Pyrex bowls – they comes with lids!
    • 4 cup bowls are best for about 1 recipe of icing (what I used for this set)
    • 7 cup bowls are better for large quantities (2-4 recipes of icing)

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Next Step Cookie Decorating Supplies for the Intermediate/Advanced Cookier

Dehydrator 

  1. The dehydrator that I use: https://amzn.to/3pzZf32
    • It looks like this has been out of stock for a while, so here is an alternative that looks almost exactly the same as the one I have: https://amzn.to/3Xxlmav

Projector

  1. The projector that I use: I own both of these projectors. I first owned the Pico and purchased the Bluetooth as an upgrade. If budget is a concern, the Pico gets the job done (just make sure that you’re plugging it in correctly!). Otherwise, I recommend the Bluetooth – it has a better/brighter image
    1. 1) https://amzn.to/3348i24 (affiliate link) – Pico
    2. 2) https://amzn.to/2URI0dV (affiliate link) – Bluetooth
      1. I believe one or both of these projectors are sold out on Amazon. I’ve never personally used the following projectors, but I know people that use them and like them!
        1. https://amzn.to/3FX7r6N (affiliate link)
        2. https://amzn.to/3WPzQBw (affiliate link)

Airbrush 

(I personally don’t use one and never have, so I cannot recommend one. Sorry!) 

Packaging

Heat sealer 

https://amzn.to/3yu378n

This sounds much fancier than it actually is. Buying flat bags made to use with a heat sealer will make your life SO much easier. I’m cheap and I bought the one that does not automatically cut the bag for you. 

Cookie swivel

Cookie swivel link

Ah, the cookie swivel! This is a great tool to assist with decorating, especially those really intricate designs. It’s best to move the cookie as little as possible so if you’re doing a design that requires accessing the cookie from many different angles then I’d suggest a cookie swivel! You don’t see a swivel in my videos often simply because I don’t think it looks that great in a sped up video, but I’m still a fan!

Paintbrushes

I recommend purchasing this set from The Sugar Art

Luster Dusts/Powders/Paints/Glitter/Edible Markers

Metallic dusts and glitter are a hot topic in the cookie/cake decorating world. The most mainstream gold dusts made for painting are labeled non-toxic but not edible. That said, the cake industry has been using these for FOREVER. Proceed at your own risk. I still own these non-toxic metallic dusts for rare occasions, but for the most part now I exclusively use the edible options from The Sugar Art (linked below). 

image of set of plant cookies that require a lot of different cookie decorating supplies
  • For working with the gold luster dust:
    • The Sugar Art Sterling Pearl in Wedding Gold (completely edible gold metallic)
    • Liquid: Color Solution or Everclear in 190 proof (95% alcohol) and 151 proof (75.5% alcohol) — you CAN use some other clear alcohols like Vodka but it has to be VERY high proof alcohol. For those who cannot consume alcohol I’ve heard of some luck with lemon extra (although I’ve never used it). The high alcohol content is necessary for the liquid to evaporate as it dries.
    • Small scoop: my fav from Borderlands
    • Small container to mix (& reuse) gold powder: like this
    • Small detail brush: thin and not too long (this is for painting gold on the lines and lettering) – this brush can be purchased in a set from The Sugar Art
small detail brush for luster dust painting - one of the best cookie decorating supplies you can buy
small detail brush for luster dust painting - one of the best cookie decorating supplies you can buy
  • Small angled paint brush like this one from The Sugar Art set (basically I’d just recommend purchasing this set!) – for medium-sized areas
small angled brush for luster dust painting on medium sized areas - one of the best cookie decorating supplies you can buy
small angled brush for luster dust painting on medium sized areas - one of the best cookie decorating supplies you can buy

Tripod/Mount for Filming

I use this stand for filming decorating and my classes: https://amzn.to/3DccyNI

I use this stand for filming BTS (as I can use the light on this as well–the marble base is my favorite as it’s the heaviest): https://www.shopcanvas.co/collections/

Lights for Filming

For additional lighting directed at the cookies/on the table: https://amzn.to/3PRYsIU

For additional lighting in the space (I have terrible lighting in my apartment), I LOVE these lights and they don’t take up *too* much space:

Single light: https://amzn.to/3D86g1G

Trio: https://amzn.to/44k6oHb

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My Favorite AMAZON Products

Baking

Decorating

Meringue powder

Basic sets of food coloring

  • Link for basic set of Wilton colors
  • I’d recommend these over Wilton if budget allows and you instead to decorate more–better quality colors, bottles and larger amounts of color:
    • Chefmaster – small bottles OR large bottles
      • **I’m newly obsessed with Chefmaster and highly recommend getting the large bottle set (you can mix just about any color you need from them!) or the small bottles if you prefer more premade colors
      • *You CAN use Chefmaster Bakers Rose (pink) with my lemon royal icing!!
    • Link for basic set of Americolor
      • Please note: you cannot use Americolor pinks with my lemon royal icing
    • Artisan Accents (I’ve never used these but it’s reputable brand loved by others I know!)

Water source for thinning icing

  • Basic: trickle from the tap 😉
  • Splurge: (make sure to ONLY ever use water in these!)

General

  1. The dehydrator that I use: https://amzn.to/3pzZf32
    • It looks like this has been out of stock for a while, so here is an alternative that looks almost exactly the same as the one I have: https://amzn.to/3Xxlmav
  2. The projector that I use: I own both of these projectors. I first owned the Pico and purchased the Bluetooth as an upgrade. If budget is a concern, the Pico gets the job done (just make sure that you’re plugging it in correctly!). Otherwise, I recommend the Bluetooth – it has a better/brighter image and connects via Bluetooth.
    1. 1) https://amzn.to/3348i24 (affiliate link) – Pico
    2. 2) https://amzn.to/2URI0dV (affiliate link) – Bluetooth
      1. I believe one or both of these projectors are sold out on Amazon. I’ve never personally used the following projectors, but I know people that use them and like them!
        1. https://amzn.to/3FX7r6N (affiliate link)
        2. https://amzn.to/3WPzQBw (affiliate link)
  3. Sprinkle tweezers: https://amzn.to/3KalR3q
  4. Spray bottle: https://amzn.to/3AzWNj8
  5. PME scribe (my favorite small tip scribe): https://amzn.to/3ADdIBF
  6. PME black pearls (the ONLY black pearls that don’t bleed): https://amzn.to/3QWLlUa
  7. Wilton meringue powder: https://amzn.to/3A9XyOI
  8. Favorite tiny scissors for cutting bags: https://amzn.to/3dMwbCw
  9. Favorite black brush tip edible markers for writing on dried icing: https://amzn.to/3QE7o25
  10. Favorite edible markers for sketching designs directly on cookies: https://amzn.to/3QI7hCE
  11. KitchenAid stand mixer
    • Larger KitchenAid stand mixer (bowl lift; this is 6 quarts and my favorite because it fits a double batch of dough easily – standard is 5 quarts): https://amzn.to/3K8vKP2
      • While great for a double batch of dough, it’s a little big for a single batch of icing (but doable…I do it!)
    • Standard 5 quart KitchenAid stand mixer (head tilt–this is the one that most people have as it’s the most available across stores): https://amzn.to/3sMttl3
    • Smaller bowl lift 5.5 quart: https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/bowl-lift-stand-mixers/p.kitchenaid-5.5-quart-bowl-lift-stand-mixer.ksm55sxxxbm.html?
    • General though on KitchenAid models:
      • If you can avoid it, I do NOT recommend a head tilt: get a BOWL LIFT! From my experience, the head tilt makes the structure of the machine less strong and the mechanism on the head tilt gets loose easily.
      • For most people, 5-6 quarts is best. 5 quarts can sometimes seem too small, and 6 can sometimes seem too big. So maybe the 5.5 quart is the best Goldilocks option!

HEAT SEALER – Amazon option

This sounds much fancier than it is. Buying flat bags made to use with a heat sealer will make your life SO much easier. I’m cheap so I bought the one that does not automatically cut the bag.

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My Favorite BORDERLANDS BAKERY Products

Borderlands Bakery is a great shop to purchase a wide variety of cookie decorating supplies.

Website link: https://borderlandsbakery.com/?sca_ref=2111046.DqfiPILUrX 

Use code THEGRACEFULBAKER10 for 10% off your order! (and a small commission to me… thank you!) 

PRODUCTS:

RECIPES:

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My Favorite THE SUGAR ART Products

The Sugar Art is one of my absolute favorite shops to purchase cookie decorating supplies as they sell a lot of different high-quality edible products that they make themselves.

Website link: https://www.thesugarart.com/?rfsn=5997529.2ce96f1 

Use code THEGRACEFULBAKER10 for 10% off your order! (and a small commission to me… thank you!) 

Color Solution

Paint Brush Set 

Sterling Pearls (metallic dusts like gold)

DiamonDust (edible glitter!!)

Elite color (powdered food coloring for painting and dry dusting)

Master Elites (highly pigmented powders for coloring icing…a MUST for red and black!!)

***Please note: my LEMON royal icing recipe does NOT work with all of the Master Elite colors due to the acidity of the lemon juice — a VANILLA (non-lemon) recipe is best used for the Master Elite pinks, otherwise I use all of their other colors with my lemon recipe (I use Wilton pink with my lemon recipe) 

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My Favorite Small Businesses to Shop Cookie Decorating Supplies

Here is a short list of great businesses to purchase specialized cookie decorating supplies! (You can also find many products at stores like Michael’s and JoAnn’s)

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Wednesday 6th of December 2023

[…] Cookie Decorating Supplies […]

Brenna Lile

Monday 27th of November 2023

I just purchased one of the sets (round Christmas) recently. I'm not going to do anything professionally (I live in my RV, so space is limited). I've been looking at your links for things, and at least two items are longer available. One was the 5/16" rolling pin guide stick things. The other was the rolling pin. I would like to find guides to fit my existing wooden rolling pin that has handles on it. I'll keep looking. The kind I have used before are the rubber ones that go on the rolling pin, but the sticks look interesting. I'm notorious for rolling right through my dough with the rubber rings.

thegracefulbaker

Monday 27th of November 2023

Hello! Thank you so much for pointing this out. I just updated the links for both the rolling guides and rolling pins. I've never used the rolling pins that have guides on them, which is why I don't have any to recommend.

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Ashley

Sunday 16th of July 2023

Oh my gosh, this is so thorough! Thank you!

thegracefulbaker

Monday 17th of July 2023

Hope it's all useful!! :)

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