Decorating Sugar Cookies Is Way Easier With One Simple Method

The joy of seeing (and smelling) a batch of cut-out sugar cookies on the table is unmatched. The next best feeling is perfecting an art-worthy sugar cookie that didn't require fancy tools to decorate. The super easy method to simplify your cookie prep is referred to as the dip method. It's a method used with royal icing. Once you get the swing of it, the dip method is sure to be your best friend this festive season as you adorn your cookies in no time at all. It also saves time (and headaches) if piping or flooding cookies using a squeeze bottle isn't quite your jam. If you're worried that royal icing won't bring much taste to the party, don't. A dash of vinegar is the secret ingredient to ensure your icing has undeniable flavor.

To decorate your sugar cookies, begin by mixing your royal icing to the perfect consistency — thick enough to coat the cookie with full coverage without being too watery. Now it's time to dip the cookies. Grab the bowl of icing and make any provisions for incoming mess while dipping — lay down parchment or newspaper to catch any spills. One by one, place each cookie in the royal icing mix for approximately five seconds and then remove it. After dipping, let the mixture drip, and then flip the cookie to inspect your handiwork. Once you're happy, place the cookies on a baking rack until they are dry and ready to be devoured.

If you're baking these treats for little ones, or simply love to show off your crafty skills, then experimenting with marble-effect icing sugar will be a welcomed addition. To add some color and style to your cookies, drop in some gel food coloring for the best, most vibrant results. Sparingly add the coloring and grab a skewer or toothpick to swirl it evenly throughout the mix. Keep the colors popping by reapplying drops after every few cookies.  

Consistency is the star of the show when it comes to mastering the dip method. To gauge the density of the icing, some follow the five-second rule by using a knife to draw a line in your royal icing mixture and waiting to see if the line disappears after five seconds. Equally, you could use the eight-second rule where you do the same thing only by making a figure eight. If it disappears before eight seconds, it isn't thick enough — after eight, it's too thick, so water it down. If you find the line or figure eight disappears too quickly, use powdered sugar to make the mixture more dense.

The thickness of the sugar cookies also plays a pretty pivotal role in getting this recipe right. Learning how to roll out the dough mixture for sugar cookies is important as a thick sugar cookie can affect the dipping process. Namely, a larger and chunkier sugar cookie will be too heavy and may fall apart during the dipping process. Aim for about a ¼ inch thickness for the best results.