Easter is one of the best occasions to get creative in the kitchen and it’s also an opportunity to get the kids involved. There are a number of wonderful cookie decorating methods. Some can be complex but others are simple enough for the younger members of your family to join in.

Border and filling method

This method is somewhat tricky but great for older children. The border is the tricky part and you will need to make a thicker icing. Once you have applied the border, you need to allow it to set before adding your flood icing. The flood icing needs to be thinner and you will need to allow it to stand for a bit longer in order to set. If you would like to add any sprinkles, you will need to do so while the flood icing is still wet so that they stick. Do not add them too soon, however, or they could end up sinking.

If you have young children, you can still let them add the flood icing. If they are too young for the flood icing, they can apply the sprinkles.

Dip and drip method

This is a very easy method that even kids can enjoy. Take your cookie and turn it upside down so that you dip the flat side into the icing. Lift up your cookie and tilt it all around as you allow the excess icing to drip back into the bowl. Once you are done, turn the cookie over and smooth the icing out with a bamboo toothpick if need be. Allow to dry overnight and you can continue to decorate the following day. Decorate by adding accents with different colours. When drying overnight, make sure that you leave them uncovered. Once hardened, you can store your cookies in a cookie tin or similar container.

Icing décor

If you make a cute bunny cookie, for example, you can dip it in some pastel pink, blue, yellow or even white icing. After drying, add details like eyes and a nose. If you cut out egg-shaped cookies, you can decorate them with polka dots in various colours. The best tip to remember is that you should put your icing into separate squeeze bottles similar to those used for ketchup and mustard. It will make decorating that much easier.

Don’t forget, when baking your cookies, you should always make sure that your dough is chilled before you roll them out. Once you cut the shapes out and place your cookies on the baking sheet, you should refrigerate again for best results.