Here are our favourite ways to level up your biscuit decor game.   

Frost it  

Lather in flavoured icing – Try one of our buttercream, royal icing or water icing recipes below.   

Sprinkle Sprinkle   

Once you’ve frosted your cookies, dot them with some fun themed sprinkles, perfect for parties or occasions.   

Dip it  

Dip the tops or halves of each cookie into melted white, milk or dark chocolate. Before the chocolate sets, scatter with citrus zest, chopped nuts or freeze dried berries for a more sophisticated look.  

Pipe ’em  

Use piping nozzles (found at baking stores) and a piping bag to swirl cool patterns with your buttercream or royal icing.  

Basic butter-cream icing

Makes about 5 cups 

Perfect to lather onto cookies using a spatula, knife or spoon. Colour or flavour as desired.  

Whisk 1½ cups (375g) softened butter until fluffy. Add 5 cups (650g) sifted icing sugar in batches and whisk until pale and fluffy (scrape the sides of the bowl between whisking). Whisk in 2-3 tsp (10-15ml) lemon juice to taste.  

Cook’s Note
If your icing is too stiff, add a splash of cream once the ingredients are all whisked together.  

Royal icing 

Makes about 1 cup 

A thickened icing that hardens completely after piping.  

Whisk 1 lightly beaten egg white into 1½ cups (195g) sifted icing sugar. Add a squeeze of lemon juice. Cover with clingfilm directly on icing (this prevents a solid layer from forming on the top) or place in a piping bag until ready to use.  

Water icing  

Makes about 5 cups 

Water icing stiffens, but doesn’t set completely like royal icing.

An affordable way to decorate cookies! Simply divide 5 cups (650g) of icing sugar into bowls (each one for a different colour) and add 1 Tbsp boiling water at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Colour as you like with food colouring. 

Words by: Lichelle May and Sjaan van der Ploeg
Photographs: Fresh Living Magazine, Shutterstock

Also read: 4 tips to bake the perfect cookies