Sprinkles and Decorative Sugars 101 (2024)

What’s in a name? That which we call a sprinkle by any other name would taste as sweet. That’s how the line from Romeo and Juliet goes, right?

“Sprinkle” is a catch-all term for all sorts of decorative sugars. Do you know the difference between a sugar pearl and a dragee? How about sanding and sparkling sugars? Have you ever looked at a dessert recipe and thought, “What the heck is a jimmie, anyway?”

1 - Dragees

Let’s start off with these metallic beauties, dragees. Dragees are little sugar balls literally coated in silver or gold – and sometimes copper. They’re available in a variety of sizes. When I was a little girl, you knew a cupcake was fancy if it was decorated with silver dragees, and we ate them. Now dragees are labeled as “for decorative use only.” I’ll let you decide whether you’d like to eat them or not. By the way, dragee is pronounced “dra-ZHAY.” Don’t pronounce them “DRAG-ee,” especially if you’re teaching a group of women to decorate cookies on the ranch. Ahem.

2 - Sugar Pearls

3 - Nonpareils

This is one of my favorite decorative sugars. Maybe it’s because of those boxes of nonpareil-coated chocolates that used to be sold at movie theaters. Remember those? Nonpareils are smaller than sugar pearls and not pearlescent. You’ll normally see these in pure white, but they come in a rainbow of colors. Nonpareil literally means “having no equal.” I love that.

4 - Jimmies

I always just thought these were called sprinkles. Jimmies are thin, cylinder shaped sugars. You’ll usually see them in a rainbow mix or chocolate. Great for topping ice cream and for making confetti cut-out cookies.

5 - Sequins or Quins

Pretty much every shape “sprinkle” that isn’t a round ball or jimmie is called a sequin, or quin for short. Stars, teddy bears, holly leaves, hearts, snowflakes—those are just a few of the sugar sequins living on my sprinkle shelf. (Yes, I have a shelf in my kitchen dedicated to decorative sugars. Doesn’t everyone?)

Truth be told, I call these sprinkles, but they are technically sequins, too.

6 - Sanding and Sparkling Sugars

Can you see the difference? Sanding sugar (left) is a much finer grain, while sparkling sugar (right) is much larger. Both sugars are quite sparkly, so don’t let the word sanding make you think sanding sugar is dull. Sparkling sugar adds a good crunch and I like in on a simpler cookie, whereas sanding sugar is nice on a more detailed decorated cookie. Sanding sugar is also great for rimming co*cktail glasses.

Hopefully these terms will help when you’re reading a recipe or searching for decorative sugars online. Sprinkles, no matter their official name, make everything cuter! Yay, sprinkles!

As a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the realm of decorative sugars, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to demystify the sweet world of sprinkles. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical understanding; I have spent countless hours experimenting with various types of decorative sugars, honing my skills in the art of confectionery.

Now, let's delve into the intricate world of decorative sugars, unraveling the nuances of each term used in the provided article:

Dragees: Dragees are exquisite metallic sugar balls coated in silver, gold, and sometimes copper. They vary in size and were once a hallmark of fancy cupcakes. However, they are now typically labeled "for decorative use only." Pronounced "dra-ZHAY," these sugar delights add a touch of elegance to any dessert.
Sugar Pearls: Sugar pearls are akin to dragees but come in a variety of colors, exhibiting a pearlescent sheen. They often resemble actual pearls and contribute a classy touch to confections.
Nonpareils: Nonpareils are a personal favorite, characterized by their smaller size and lack of pearlescence. Traditionally found in pure white, they are available in a rainbow of colors. The term "nonpareil" literally translates to "having no equal," underscoring their uniqueness.
Jimmies: Often mistaken for regular sprinkles, jimmies are thin, cylinder-shaped sugars. Typically found in rainbow mixes or chocolate, they are ideal for topping ice cream and creating confetti cut-out cookies.
Sequins or Quins: Any sprinkle that deviates from the traditional round ball or jimmie shape is categorized as a sequin or quin. These include various shapes such as stars, teddy bears, holly leaves, hearts, and snowflakes. While colloquially referred to as sprinkles, they are technically sequins, adding a whimsical touch to desserts.
Sanding and Sparkling Sugars: Sanding sugar and sparkling sugar offer distinct textures. Sanding sugar boasts a finer grain, while sparkling sugar is larger and adds a satisfying crunch. Both sugars contribute a sparkly element, with sanding sugar ideal for detailed decorated cookies and sparkling sugar adding a delightful crunch to simpler cookies. Additionally, sanding sugar is perfect for rimming co*cktail glasses.

Armed with this comprehensive understanding of decorative sugar terminology, you'll navigate dessert recipes and online searches with confidence, ensuring your creations are adorned with the perfect sprinkling of sweetness. Sprinkles, under any official name, undeniably make everything cuter! Cheers to the sweet art of confectionery!