Cookie decorating involves using a variety of different edible ingredients to add color and texture to plain cookies, turning them into unique pieces of art. The most basic techniques are relatively easy to learn. More complex skills like using an airbrush to create professional-looking designs can take a little longer to master. Of course, the learning process depends on several factors. Keep reading to learn about how you can learn cookie decorating and some resources to help speed the process along.
What is Cookie Decorating?
Cookie decorators use edible ingredients like icing, glitter, and sprinkles to decorate plain cookies, transforming them into pieces of art. Custom-made cookies are often created to celebrate special occasions like graduations, birthdays, and holidays. Sometimes, people decorate cookies just for fun. For example, group cookie decorating parties are common for children’s parties or over the holiday season.
Benefits of Learning Cookie Decorating
Learning to decorate cookies gives you an outlet for expressing your creativity. When you decorate, you can use your imagination, and create a wide range of different designs. Not only do many people say that this creative process is a lot of fun, but there is evidence that doing something creative like this is good for both your physical and mental health.
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Cookie decorating can also benefit you financially. Depending on your level of decorating skill, you can sell custom cookies for more than $5 per cookie. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that cookie decorating and other types of baking are likely to be stable jobs in the near future, with employment expected to grow by 8 percent over the next ten years, which is faster than average. The agency finds that the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Washington are the top-paying states for bakers. California, Texas, and New York have the highest employment levels.
Average Time It Takes to Learn Cookie Decorating
Compared to some other types of art, you can learn cookie decorating relatively quickly. More experienced decorators generally say that you can be creating some fairly good cookies within a matter of weeks. However, really mastering this art form can take longer. Not only do you need to master working with all of the materials and tools involved, but you need to develop the artistic skills to create high-quality designs. If you already have some artistic skills, the learning process is likely to be easier.
Other Factors
When you learn cookie decorating, many factors will influence your learning experience, including how much artistic experience you have, your personal learning style, and how much time you devote to learning and practice. Here are a few things to think about when you’re trying to get an understanding of what your learning process might be like.
Practice
Mastering almost any new skill requires practice, and cookie decorating is no exception. No matter how good–or bad–you are when you start, you are more likely to improve your cookie decorating skills if you spend a lot of time practicing. Cookie decorator Tyler says, “[h]ere is the ultimate secret to getting good at decorating cookies: practice, practice, practice. Seriously, it took me decorating thousands of cookies for customers over the years to get to where I am today, so keep practicing.”
Your Tools
You don’t have to buy a lot of fancy tools to learn cookie decorating. You can start with a toothpick to make designs, and a sandwich bag as a makeshift piping bag. However, some cookie decorators say that if you do invest in a few proper cookie decorating tools, you are likely to have an easier learning experience. For instance, if you buy a real piping set instead of using a plastic bag, it can be easier to create precise designs because you’ll have professional piping tips. According to cookie decorator Georganne Bell, another important cookie-decorating tool is a mixer. She explains, “[y]ou really are going to need some kind of electric mixer. You can absolutely mix cookie dough by hand. But when it comes to royal icing, you're going to need A LOT more mixing power than your two arms can handle.”
Support
The amount of support you get can make a significant difference to your learning experience. If you have to figure out everything by yourself, it is likely to take a lot longer, while if you get tips and support from other people who have already gone through the learning process, you’re likely to learn this skill much more easily and quickly. Fortunately, according to a lot of people, the cookie decorating community is generally a very friendly and helpful one, with more experienced decorators often happy to share their own experiences with beginners. You could also consider signing up for a cookie decorating class. Not only does this give you access to an experienced instructor, but it can be a good way to connect with other people who like to decorate cookies.
What to Know Before Learning Cookie Decorating
Cookie decorating is a relatively accessible skill that you can generally learn without spending too much money or taking too many classes. Unlike some other types of art, where you might need to take months or years of classes, for cookie decorating, you can learn the basics much more quickly. Depending on where you live, you’ll probably find a number of different in-person cookie decorating classes. For instance, in New York City, the NY Cake Academy runs in-person cookie decorating classes like Royal Icing Cookies. You’ll also find online options like Food Craft’s Cookie Decorating, where you can learn to decorate cookies from the comfort of your own kitchen. Most cookie decorating classes cost under $100. For in-person classes, supplies are often included in this price. Cookie decorating classes generally don’t have any prerequisites.
Can I Learn Cookie Decorating for Free / on My Own?
You can learn a lot about cookie decorating for free. There are hundreds of cookie-decorating articles and video tutorials online. The biggest challenge is not usually finding free information, but deciding which information is trustworthy. Unfortunately, some of what you come across online will be incorrect. Deciding who to trust can take some time because of the fact that there is so much free information out there. For this reason, some people decide to start with a paid class, where they can get reliable information from a verified expert. Another good reason to sign up for a paid class is that sometimes it can be a lot easier to understand a skill like cookie decorating when you see it done in-person, rather than reading about it online. With a class, you also get the advantage of instant feedback so that you’ll know if you’re doing things right.
Key Takeaways
- Cookie decorators create custom-made cookies for a wide variety of special occasions.
- Cookie decorating can be both creatively fulfilling and financially lucrative.
- Like any new skill, if you want to master cookie decorating, you’ll need to spend a lot of time practicing.
- While cookie decorating doesn't require a lot of fancy supplies, there are some tools that can be very helpful.
- If you have access to a good support network, your learning process is likely to be much quicker and easier.
- While you can learn cookie decorating for free, many people find that it is much easier to start with a class.
- Contract CourseHorse for information about in-person or online cookie decorating classes, including private group sessions.