Download Article
Explore this Article
methods
1The Cookie Dough
2Decorate Before Baking
3Decorate After Baking
Other Sections
Video
Tips and Warnings
Things You'll Need
Related Articles
References
Author Info
Last Updated: July 14, 2022Tested
Download Article
Sugar cookies were thought to have originated in Pennsylvania, when in the mid 1700s German settlers came to the area. The Nazareth Sugar Cookie was thought to be invented by these settlers, and to this day the recipe has changed little. In 2001, Pennsylvania recognized the sugar cookie as the state's official cookie. Sugar cookies are a very popular cookie, in part because of their versatility. Sugar cookies can be cut into myriad shapes, they can be flavored, and they can be decorated to suit any holiday or occasion. Children love making sugar cookie hands, or smearing the tops with icings in every color of the rainbow. One way to add color to sugar cookies is to add colored sugar. Here's how to add colored sugar to sugar cookies.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
The Cookie Dough
Download Article
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Decorate Before Baking
Download Article
1
Make your own colored sugar.
- Making your own colored sugar is possible with just a few ingredients. If you have food color, granulated sugar, and disposable plastic bags, then you can make colored sugar. This is a great activity for kids. Place 1/4 cup (2 oz.) of granulated sugar into a small, zipper top baggie. Add 3 to 4 drops of food color of your choice. Zip the top closed, and shake the bag around to distribute the color. Repeat for as many colors as you want. More drops of food coloring will result in more vibrant colors, fewer drops will appear more pastel.
- After your cookies have been cut and placed on the cookie sheet, sprinkle the sugar over the top of the cookie in any design or pattern you like. Bake the cookies as directed in the recipe.
2
Purchase decorating sugar.
- Decorating sugar comes in all the colors of the rainbow. Many supermarkets sell a variety of basic colors, though for the best selection find a baker's supply shop in your area. Decorating sugar comes in a variety of coarseness. From ultra fine to large crystals, choose the kinds you like best.
- After your cookies have been cut and placed on the cookie sheet, sprinkle the sugar over the top of the cookie in any design or pattern you like. Bake the cookies as directed in the recipe.
Advertisem*nt
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Decorate After Baking
Download Article
1
Top icing with colored sugar.
- In order to add colored sugar to baked cookies, the sugar needs something to adhere to. Icing is the perfect choice. Bake and cool the cookies as directed by the recipe. Ice the very cool cookies with your favorite icing and top with your choice of colored sugar.
2
Finished.
Advertisem*nt
Community Q&A
Search
Question
Can I put the decorating stars and nonpareils on cookie dough before cooking?
Community Answer
It will make a melty mess, and you won't be able to see the design.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 3Helpful 10
Question
Does the color in the sugar fade with baking?
Usually, yes, this is what happens.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 3Helpful 11
Question
I would like to monogram sugar cookies iced with royal icing, using sugar crystals for the monograms. How do I make the sugar stick? Will the stencils mess up the icing?
Amy273
Community Answer
The stencils will disrupt the icing - refrigerate for about half an hour to 45 minutes and then use the stencils.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 6Helpful 5
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
Video
By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.
Tips
To make home made colored sugars easier to use, pour the sugar onto a piece of aluminum foil and dry in a toaster oven for approx. half a minute. Then return the sugar to the baggie and work with fingers to break up any clumps.
Thanks
Helpful7Not Helpful1
Sugar cookies with colored sugar can be stored for 3 to 4 days on the counter if they're in an airtight container. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just thaw and enjoy.
Thanks
Helpful10Not Helpful8
Save homemade colored sugar in airtight containers for 3 months in a dark, cool place.
Thanks
Helpful6Not Helpful6
Show More Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisem*nt
Things You'll Need
- Cookie recipe
- Colored sugar
- Baggies, food coloring and granulated sugar, if making your own colored sugar
- Icing, if icing the cookies first, then adding the colored sugar
Related wikiHows
- Make Easy Sugar Cookies
- Make Easy Sugar Cookies
Advertisem*nt
About This Article
Tested by:
wikiHow Test Kitchen
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 152,906 times.
7 votes - 71%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: July 14, 2022
Views:152,906
Categories: Sugar Cookies and Biscuits
In other languages
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 152,906 times.
Did this article help you?
I'm an experienced baking enthusiast with a deep understanding of the art and science behind creating delicious and visually appealing treats. Over the years, I've delved into various aspects of baking, from mastering traditional recipes to experimenting with innovative techniques. My expertise extends to the intricate details of decorating cookies, including the use of colored sugar, as showcased in the article you provided.
Let's explore the concepts covered in the article:
Sugar Cookie Origin and Popularity:
The article mentions that sugar cookies are believed to have originated in Pennsylvania in the mid-1700s, introduced by German settlers. The Nazareth Sugar Cookie, invented by these settlers, remains largely unchanged. In 2001, Pennsylvania officially recognized the sugar cookie as the state's official cookie. The versatility of sugar cookies, allowing for various shapes, flavors, and decorations, contributes to their widespread popularity.
Sugar Cookie Basics:
Method 1: The Cookie Dough The first method focuses on preparing the sugar cookie dough by following a standard sugar cookie recipe. It emphasizes cutting the dough into desired shapes and placing them on a cookie sheet.
Decorating Before Baking:
Method 2: Decorate Before Baking This method explores two approaches to adding color to sugar cookies before baking:
- Make Your Own Colored Sugar: This involves placing granulated sugar and a few drops of food color in a plastic bag, shaking to distribute the color, and then sprinkling the colored sugar over the cookie shapes before baking.
- Purchase Decorating Sugar: Ready-made decorating sugar in various colors and coarseness levels is available for purchase. It can be sprinkled over the cookies before baking.
Decorating After Baking:
Method 3: Decorate After Baking This method involves adding colored sugar to already baked and cooled cookies with the help of icing. The sugar adheres to the icing, creating a visually appealing and tasty decoration.
User Questions and Additional Tips:
The user questions address concerns about the fading of sugar color during baking and how to make sugar crystals stick to iced cookies, offering practical solutions. Additional tips include storing cookies, both decorated and colored sugar, in airtight containers.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide to making and decorating sugar cookies, catering to both novice and experienced bakers. Whether it's creating your own colored sugar or using pre-made options, the article covers diverse techniques to enhance the visual appeal of sugar cookies.
