21 Simple Cookie Decorating Ideas for Fun and Easy Treats
Decorating cookies is honestly one of those kitchen things that never gets old. Whether you’re prepping for a birthday, a bake sale, or just want to jazz up a Saturday, it’s a chance to get creative and maybe a little messy.
Here are 50 cookie decorating ideas that even total beginners can pull off—and still feel like a pro. Kids, adults, whoever—cookie decorating is just plain fun.
Pastel Polka Dots
These sweet heart- and circle-shaped cookies feature soft white icing dotted with colorful pastel polka dots. So easy and yet so charming!
Smiley Faces
You can’t help but grin at these bright yellow cookies topped with cheerful smiley faces. They’re perfect for beginners and guaranteed to lift anyone’s mood.
Zigzag Icing Lines in Bold Colors
Add a playful twist to your cookies with a quick zigzag of bold-colored icing across plain white rounds. This no-fuss technique makes decorating both fast and fun.
Melted Chocolate and Sprinkles
Half-dipped in smooth chocolate and finished with rainbow sprinkles, these cookies strike the perfect balance of effortless and festive. Just dip, sprinkle, and you’re done!
Colorful Sprinkles
Top your iced cookies with classic rainbow sprinkles for a timeless look. This easy method never goes out of style and takes just seconds to do.
Thick Stripes
Thick stripes in bold colors give these cookies a modern pop-art feel. It’s a no-fail way to make a big statement with minimal effort.
Red and Pink Heart Outlines
These red and pink heart cookies are decorated with red and pink icing and piped outlines. Sweet, beginner-friendly, and ideal for any love-themed occasion!
Bright Nonpareils
A swirl of white icing and bright nonpareils transforms these cookies into cheerful little treats. Not only is this design playful, but it’s easy to recreate too!
Make animal faces using different colored icing blobs
With icing in bright colors and the most adorable details, these animal face cookies are simply the cutest. It shows how far a little piping can go!
Chocolate Drizzle
Drizzle melted chocolate in loose lines over your cookies for a quick decorating technique. It feels casual but looks surprisingly chic!
Pink Flower Icing
With soft pink icing, piped petals, and a piped center, these flower cookies are sweet and elegant. You’ll only need one color and a steady hand to pull them off!
Triangle Icing
Enjoy a more modern take on cookie decorating with bold triangle shapes in smooth pink and green icing. It’s a break from the usual round cookie designs.
Gift-Themed Cookies
Pipe gift designs on top of gift-shaped cookies, and you’ve got the sweetest, cutest present for any loved one’s birthday!
Snowflake Patterns
If you want to mix things up with a simple design, minimalist snowflake design with white icing on golden cookie dough. They’re wintry, classy, and super easy to replicate with just one piping bag.
Pipe zigzags with two contrasting icing colors
Playful white zigzags on top of yellow, blue, and pink icing? Yes, please! You’ll only need a bit of icing and a steady squeeze to pull this design off.
Leaf Shapes and Details
Featuring a smooth green base and crisp piped veins, these leaf cookies are as fresh as spring. They look like a little garden!
Branch and Berry Designs
Add a whisper of elegance to your holiday dessert table with these branch-and-berry cookies. These elegant minimalist designs are great for an easy and fresh take on holiday cookie decorating.
Dot Border
An icing base with a neat ring border of dots—this design is timeless and oh-so-satisfying to create. Try it in white for a pearl-like finish!
Candy Cane
Classic red and white piping makes these candy cane cookies a festive favorite. They’re easy to decorate and instantly holiday-ready!
Marble Design
To create this simple yet showstopping marble look, just drag a toothpick through a mix of red and white icing. The effect looks way more impressive than the effort it takes!
