Tips and Tricks for Decorating Cookies

A good cookie project starts with a cutter that fits your design and dough that holds its shape. These tips help you plan the cutting and decorating steps without relying on one baking time or dough thickness for every recipe.

Plan the shapes and sizes first

Choose individual designs from All Cutters or browse Cookie Cutter Sets for a coordinated project. Compare the listed width and height of each design rather than assuming the same size label gives every cookie the same proportions.

SweetShapes.Co size labels use the longest edge of the rectangle around the full cutout. For example, the 4-inch option for the Cute Kitty 3 Cookie Cutter is listed as 3.0 inches wide by 4.0 inches tall. Check the available size and cut depth options on the product page.

Prepare the dough for cutting

Use a recipe intended for cutout cookies. Follow that recipe's chilling and baking instructions, and roll the dough to an even thickness that works with your selected cutter's cut depth. If the dough sticks, follow your recipe's guidance for flouring the surface and cutter. Try a small batch before cutting the whole project so you can check how the shapes bake.

Practice your decorating details

For royal icing designs, practice piping lines and details on a test cookie before decorating the batch. Small brushes or toothpicks can help add accents. Let each icing layer dry as your decorating recipe requires before adding another layer, packaging or serving.

Clean and plan the next batch

The PLA cutter linked here is hand wash only and is not dishwasher safe. Follow the care instructions on your chosen product listing. For more sizing help, read our plastic cutter selection guide and Product Information.