How To Decorate Sugar Cookies With Candy Melts | Decorated sugar cookies are great to make for birthday parties, holidays like Christmas. They also make awesome party favors or gifts! I’m going to show you how anyone can make a decorated cookie look amazing! You’re not going to believe how simple it is! Plus some helpful tips on how to work with melted candy.
As you probably already know I love working with candy melts. Wilton Candy Melts are my favorite. They melt really well and are easy to work with. I have discovered that I am NOT an artist when it comes to decorating cookies. I am obsessed with watching other people, but without a lot of practice it’s just not going to happen for me. So…..that’s why I came up with this method of decorating sugar cookies!
Make sure to use my CLASSIC SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE. All the decorating is done after the cookies are completely cooled.
Whether you plan on decorating small cookies or large, the key to success is keeping the melted candy hot and easy to move around for filling
HOW TO KEEP MELTED CANDY IN A LIQUID STATE
No one likes rushing to get something coasted with melted candy only to have it harden before finishing the coating step. Here’s how I solve that problem and this is not only handy to know for coating pretzels but for anything that requires a candy coating.
Using Wilton Melting Pots (this is my favorite). These handy pots are not just for melting candy, they also work amazing at keeping the candy melted. For the drizzle method I melt the candy, pour it into piping bags, seal the end tightly with a rubber band. Place the piping bags in a heated pot without the insert. The pot will keep the candy piping hot so be careful when handling. If using squirt bottles, pour hot water into the pot (without the insert), use high setting, fill bottles with melted candy, place in the water. This will also keep the candy melted.
Electric Skillet. All the above can also be achieved by using an electric skillet except ALWAYS have water in the skillet. Also, the candy melts can not be added directly to the skillet. They MUST be in a heat proof container like a mason jar or bowl.
ANOTHER GREAT TOOL
As the color dust is painted onto the hardened candy, the dust will leave come dust behind. This tool (baby nose suction) works great. A better option then blowing on the cookies to remove the dust.
The magic isn’t only with the candy melts but also the Color Dust! Found at most most stores that sell cake decorating supplies (I found both at Michael’s).
Before you get started
If you are covering a large area (example the yellow portion of the pineapple) you will need to have some of the melted candy in a squeeze bottle and some in a bowl. If the area your are covering (example: the leaves of the pineapple) is small then using only a squeeze bottle is fine.
Add candy melts to a small microwave safe bowl (or a melting pot); heat until melted and creamy (your choice of color). Pour into a squeeze bottle (I used Wilton bottles). Out line the cookie and place in the refrigerator on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper until hardened (about 10 minutes).
While the outer line is hardening melt more candy the same color as the outline (or already have all the yellow candy melted in the melting pot). Once the outline is hardened, pour some of the melted candy in the center.
Use an offset spatula to fill in the center. Lightly tap the cookie on the counter to even out the melted candy.
If you are using multiple colors like I am. Let the first color harden before adding the next color. This can be done by placing the cookies into the refrigerator about 10 minutes.
Repeat the same heating process for the next color and pour into a squeeze bottle. Because the green area of the cookie is small you can skip the refrigerating of the out line and just fill in the whole area. Once the cookie has be completely covered with melted candy. Refrigerate until hardened (about 10 minutes).
NOW THE FUN CAN BEGIN!
COLOR DUST MAGIC: I used green and brown Color Dust. This product is normally used on fondant and gum paste and can be found on the baking isle at Michael’s. I also used an angled paint brush (one for each color).
FOR THE PINEAPPLE
I brushed brown diagonally in one direction.
Turn the cookie and added more lines in the other direction diagonally.
Use the tip of the brush to add dots in each diamond area.
FOR THE LEAVES
Use a green color dust. From the bottom of the stem brush up to the point.
Fill in to make each area look like a leaf.
And VOILA! The cutest cookies EVER!
Another example of this technique using color dust on chocolate pops!
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Comments
How To Decorate Sugar Cookies With Candy Melts — 12 Comments
I love decorating cookies with candy melts, because like you I just don’t have the practice with royal icing and find using the candy so much easier. Plus the cookies taste great. I love how you decorated the pineapples. 🙂
when using candy melts on cookies can i bag the cookies once done? this is for a party favor. i worry that they will smudge on the bag.. am i better off with royal icing?
Hi CT, Since candy melts aren’t technically chocolate they should never be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. When I use candy melts I put them in the refrigerator for only a short time just to get back to their hardened state and then store them at room temperature.
About how many bags of candy melts do I need per dozen large cutout cookies? I make 7 dozen cutout Fleur dis Lis cookies for everyone on our Mardi Gras float each year. Yes, I live in New Orleans!
Thank you.
Hi Mardi, Honestly….I just don’t know. It all depends on the size of your cookies. I would start out with a bag per dozen. If your cookies aren’t too large that should be enough. Michaels has their candy melts on sale this week so now’s a good time to stock up!
My candy melt is too thick. I followed the instructions on the bag. More time and less time. I also tried adding cisco to thin. Also, mine sets up super fast. What is up with that?
Hi Penny, I’ve noticed that some colors melt thicker then others. Why, I don’t know. To correct it I use a little more shortening. Also, is it cold where you live? A cold kitchen can contribute to your candy becoming hard faster then you want. I would recommend melting your candy in a wide bowl and then adding the bowl to a heating element (like an electric pan) with a couple inches of hot water, turned on high enough to keep the water hot. I hope this helps.
I love decorating cookies with candy melts, because like you I just don’t have the practice with royal icing and find using the candy so much easier. Plus the cookies taste great. I love how you decorated the pineapples. 🙂
Thanks Beth!
when using candy melts on cookies can i bag the cookies once done? this is for a party favor. i worry that they will smudge on the bag.. am i better off with royal icing?
Hi Lorie, They will do fine as long as it’s not too warm or humid.
Have you ever used the melted chocolate to personalize cookies that have been iced with royal icing?
No I haven’t Mary. I’m not very good with royal icing that’s why I decided to try candy melts. 🙂
Does freezing decorated cookies affect the chocolate?
Hi CT, Since candy melts aren’t technically chocolate they should never be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. When I use candy melts I put them in the refrigerator for only a short time just to get back to their hardened state and then store them at room temperature.
About how many bags of candy melts do I need per dozen large cutout cookies? I make 7 dozen cutout Fleur dis Lis cookies for everyone on our Mardi Gras float each year. Yes, I live in New Orleans!
Thank you.
Hi Mardi, Honestly….I just don’t know. It all depends on the size of your cookies. I would start out with a bag per dozen. If your cookies aren’t too large that should be enough. Michaels has their candy melts on sale this week so now’s a good time to stock up!
My candy melt is too thick. I followed the instructions on the bag. More time and less time. I also tried adding cisco to thin. Also, mine sets up super fast. What is up with that?
Hi Penny, I’ve noticed that some colors melt thicker then others. Why, I don’t know. To correct it I use a little more shortening. Also, is it cold where you live? A cold kitchen can contribute to your candy becoming hard faster then you want. I would recommend melting your candy in a wide bowl and then adding the bowl to a heating element (like an electric pan) with a couple inches of hot water, turned on high enough to keep the water hot. I hope this helps.