As a published baking cookbook author, I’ve baked and developed MANY different cookie recipes. One of my all-time favorites is sugar cookies decorated with royal icing. In addition to all of the tested recipes on my website and in my books, I’m happy to share my top cookie decorating supplies that will set you up for success. The list on this page is a great place to start if you’re a cookie decorating novice, or if you’re looking to update your kitchen supplies.
![Royal icing on snowflake sugar cookies](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/easy-royal-icing-recipe.jpg)
Let’s take a moment to appreciate decorated cookies. If you’ve ever decorated a batch of cookies, you know how much work (and patience!) goes into each and every cookie. Whether you’re adding a simple swipe of vanilla buttercream, or applying fine detail onto snowman sugar cookies, decorating takes time. And while it may seem daunting to jump into the world of cookie decorating, I’m here to assure you that it doesn’t have to be!
With my tried-and-tested recipes for cut-out cookies like gingerbread cookies, chocolate sugar cookies, and sugar cookies, plus my top choices for icing including royal icing and my glaze-style cookie icing, bakers around the world have felt empowered to try cookie decorating in their own kitchens.
![](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/piping-one-layer-icing-decorating.jpg)
After many years of practice myself, I’ve acquired a handful of the best cookie decorating supplies and tools to help make cookie decorating a breeze. I’m happy to share a list of these products, all of which I own and love, with you today.
I also have a cookie decorating day guide, if you’d like to make a party out of it. Around here, we love our fun decorating days!
![decorated cookies on lined baking sheet](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cookie-decorating-with-kids.jpg)
Best Cookie Decorating Supplies & Tools
All of the cookie decorating tools listed below are items I own. None of this post is sponsored—truly just items I love and am happy to recommend to fellow cookie decorators. A lot of these links are affiliate links. I include many of these items on my Gifts for Bakers page, too, where you’ll find 100+ carefully selected items that any baker (or you!) would love.
Electric Mixer
![Stand Mixer](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/general-stand-mixer-300x300.jpg)
Stand Mixer
![KitchenAid Hand Mixer](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/general-hand-mixer-300x300.jpg)
Hand Mixer
Meringue Powder & Food Coloring
![tub of meringue powder.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/meringue-powder-image-300x300.jpg)
Meringue Powder
![gel food colors](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/product-decorating-essentials-gel-food-colors-300x300.jpg)
Gel Food Colors
Piping Bags
![disposable piping bags](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/product-decorating-essentials-disposable-piping-bags-300x300.jpg)
Disposable Piping Bags
![reusable piping bag](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/product-decorating-essentials-reusable-piping-bag-300x300.jpg)
Reusable Piping Bags
Squeeze Bottles
![2 squeeze bottles.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/squeeze-bottle-image-300x300.jpg)
Squeeze Bottles
![icing bottle pack.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/icing-bottles-image-300x300.jpg)
Small Icing Bottles
Recommended Piping Tips
What I own and love: Wilton Tip #1, Wilton Tip #2, Wilton Tip #3, Wilton Tip #4, Wilton Tip #5
A handful of piping tips are key for making those crisp, precise icing designs. The piping tip numbers reflect their sizes:
- Wilton #1 & Wilton #2 are thin and excellent for piping detail, like the jack-o-lantern faces on these Halloween cookies.
- Wilton #3, Wilton #4, and Wilton #5 are larger and easier to work with. I prefer using Wilton #4 for outlining and flooding cookies.
If you’re just getting started with cookie decorating, you can get by with Wilton #1 (smallest size), Wilton #3 (medium size), and Wilton #5 (largest size). You can create any basic designs with just these three!
Piping Tip Sets & Couplers
![piping tips set.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/piping-tips-set-image-300x300.jpg)
55-Piece Piping Tips Set
![Ateco brand package of couplers.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/couplers-image-300x300.jpg)
Couplers
Bag Clips & Ties
![green, blue, and white bag clips.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bag-clips-image-300x300.jpg)
Bag Clips
![Wilton brand purple bag ties.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bag-ties-image-300x300.jpg)
Decorating Bag Ties
For Fine Detail: Icing Needle Scriber
An icing needle scriber helps to spread & smooth out your icing, and helps create neater edges. A regular toothpick works just as well! If I’m working with a flooding consistency, the piping tip often gets the job done, too.
Sprinkle Details
![365 brand rainbow pastel sprinkles.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/365-brand-rainbow-sprinkles-image-300x300.jpg)
![holiday sprinkles set 4-pack.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/holiday-sprinkles-set-image-300x300.jpg)
Holiday Sprinkles Set
![tub of blue and white snowflake sprinkles.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snowflakes-sprinkles-image-300x300.jpg)
Snowflakes Confetti Sprinkles
![sanding sugar sprinkles pack.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bright-sugars-sprinkles-image-300x300.jpg)
Sanding Sugar Sprinkles
Finishing & Transporting
![wire rack](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/product-kitchen-tools-wire-rack-300x300.jpg)
Cooling Racks
![](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/carrier-cupcake-carrier-300x300.jpg)
Cupcake Carrier
Cookie Crew Shirts!
![Cookie crew long sleeve shirt in heather carolina blue.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cookie-crew-long-sleeve-heather-carolina-blue-300x300.jpg)
Cookie Crew Long Sleeve T-Shirt
![cookie crew in adult unisex crewneck t-shirt in mauve](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cookie-crew-mauve-300x300.jpg)
Cookie Crew T-Shirt
![](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/kids-cookie-crew-navy-300x300.jpg)
Kids Cookie Crew T-Shirt
![cookie crew in adult unisex v-neck t-shirt in deep heather teal](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/simple-cookie-crew-adult-vneck-teal-deep-heather-300x300.jpg)
Cookie Crew T-Shirt
Other Tools & Supplies:
- Cookie Cutters: With so many fun cookie cutter options out there, you can find a design to match pretty much any occasion. I’ve always had luck with Ann Clark brand and Wilton brand cookie cutters. If you’re getting your collection started, these cookie cutters for every season cover your bases. And these holiday cookie cutters are great for the Christmas cookie enthusiast!
- Adjustable Rolling Pin: The adjustable discs make it easy to roll cookie dough out evenly. A regular rolling pin works, too.
I hope this list of cookie decorating supplies is helpful for your next cookie decorating adventure. I also have a complete list of cake decorating supplies, if you’re looking to add to your collection!
Do you use brushes to ice your cut out cookies? If so, which ones?c love your recipes! And i taught cooking for over 23 years…
Hi Rosanne, no, we’ve never used brushes for cookies. Sounds like a fun technique!
As a fellow baking enthusiast, I’ve found your recommendations incredibly helpful. It’s evident you’ve poured your passion into curating a list that caters to both beginners and experienced bakers. By the way, have you ever considered exploring unique cookie cutter shapes from thingsfrommars .com to add an extra touch of creativity to your cookie creations? They might be a delightful addition to your decorating toolkit!
I love the list of what is needed to do cookie decorating! I’ve taken a few cookie decorating classes but they focus on techniques not the supplies needed. Thank you!!
Hi Sally – thank you, your website and this post are a great resource for me. I have come to rely on you over time and often check your site first. Piping was t a thing when I was young so after I retired and wanted to learn how to pipe decorations or meringues, I would practice piping with meringues til I figured I was getting it. It was cheap and lots of practice to use 3 egg whites and pipe pipe pipe!
Hi Cindy, we’re so glad you found this post helpful!
Every Christmas season comes around and I want to try my hand at really decorating cookies but my fear of not having them come out perfect always stops me. Any advice for getting over that fear?
Hi Lia Kulla, I think the first thing to know going into it is: not all of the cookies will be perfect. Mine never are. But I don’t think that matters! As long as they taste wonderful. Decorating comes with practice, and you just have to start. You can always make a double batch of cookies and save the messy ones for yourself. Cover any mistakes with sprinkles, and take your time. If you have any specific questions about icing/cookies, you can email my team and I. We are happy to help. sally(at)sallysbakingaddiction.com