Hope you’re enjoying the holiday hustle and bustle, and hope you have some time to fit a little cookie decorating in. The cookies I’m about to show you in this video are great in that they’re versatile… Make your icing to match the theme and voila, colour co-ordinated decorated cookies for any type of event! The icing lines may seem daunting at first, but with a few tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make these too.
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{Video} How to Pipe Straight Lines with Royal Icing
Click here if you can’t see the video.
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If you’d like to try making these, here’s what you’ll need…
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What you’ll need to make decorated cookies with royal icing lines:
- Gingerbread or Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Royal Icing Recipe
- Cookie Cutters of your choice
- Piping Tips
- Piping Bag Coupler
- Piping Bags
- Icing Bag Ties (You can use elastic bands)
- Toothpicks
- Damp cloth
If you prefer written format to video, here’s a summary of the main points which have helped me improve my line piping technique:
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How to Pipe Royal Icing Lines – Top 10 Tips
1. Royal Icing Consistency is Key
One of the most important tips has to do with the consistency of your royal icing. Too thick and your lines might curl, crumble and break. Too thin, and they’ll look like a soupy mess. I use the 10 Second Rule to help me find the right consistency for piping. You can find a post and video on the 10 second rule by clicking here.
2. Piping Tip PME #1.5
My favourite piping tip is #1.5 made by PME. It’s fine enough to be able to pipe details, but large enough so that it doesn’t clog like piping tip #’s 1, #0 or #00 often do. If you don’t have access to the #1.5, #2 is the next best thing (in my humble opinion). One thing to note – If you’re using a tiny piping tip, such as #00, #0 or #1 you should let the icing come together (See Consistency Video), at about the 5 second mark, instead of the 10 second mark. You might also want to check the post on Avoiding Clogging in Piping Tips.
3. Don’t Overfill your Piping Bags
It’s easier to pipe detail when your piping bag isn’t too full. Much like writing with a pen, a large, fat pen would make it more difficult to write nicely.
4. Practice First
Your hand may need a little practice to get the feel of the piping motion, and practicing on parchment paper first ensures that you’ll be piping nicely when you’re ready, instead of possibly wasting a few cookies.
5. Let Your Icing Fall
Gently squeeze the icing out of your piping tip, let the icing catch on the surface you’re piping on, lift the tip away from the surface, and let your icing fall, while guiding the piping tip/bag. You’ll end up with a smoother line which is easier to control.
6. Piping Pressure
When you’re piping, try and use the same amount of pressure on the piping bag to squeeze the icing out.
7. Piping Direction
Pipe in the direction you feel comfortable with. I prefer piping from left to right, probably because it’s similar to writing. You can pipe right to left, top to bottom or bottom to top. Have fun experimenting!
8. Avoid Pulling
While you’re piping and letting the icing fall into place, it’s easy to move your hand a little too fast, while not pressing enough icing out. The result is usually a broken line.
9. Speed
Tying in to #8, sometimes piping too fast can lead to icing lines breaking. I find that mistakes happen more when I’m going too fast, and piping at a slower speed gives me more control over how the icing falls.
10. Mistakes Can Be Corrected
Toothpicks are a great tool to fix mistakes with. Anything from a broken line, a ball of icing at the beginning of your line due to too much pressure, or just general mistakes. Use your toothpick to remove excess icing, move icing around or scrape your mistakes off.
These tips are what have helped me improve in terms of piping lines – now I just need help lining up my lines so that they’re symmetrical… maybe I could have measured out the angles/spacing and marked the edges with a dot of icing and then just connected the dots with the lines. Buuut, was having too much fun to bother doing that. Maaaaybe next time. Could also use some help in the photography department. I have got to get a better handle on my camera settings, lighting and editing. Oh well. Hope you like the pics anyways.
Thanks to the über-talented Yukiko of Rosey Confectionary Sugar Art for letting me use her Christmas ornament design (above in pink – top right of the photo), and for basing my fan cookie design on hers. I absolutely adore her work, and have a hunch you might too.
If you’d like to see another video on piping lines, the lovely and witty Gail of One Tough Cookie has a fantastic video here, on U of C. You’ll enjoy seeing her amazing cookies and ‘cookie cakes’ too! Click on over here to take a peek at her site!
Piping lines doesn’t have to be a daunting or intimidating decorating technique. It can actually be a fun experience! Granted, that’s coming from a cookie-obsessed gal, but I hope you try it out and drop me a line letting me know how it went.
If you enjoyed today’s tips, please leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought or if you have any questions.
xo,
Marian
p.s. Please let me know in the comment section below on facebook or twitter, what you’d like to see in the next video. Happy decorating!
p.s.s. I’ve linked this post to the talented Tidy Mom’s I’m Lovin’ It. Check out what the talented Cheryl is sharing today – she always has the best ideas!
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Ingrid Urena says
I am in LOVE with your beautiful tree!!! And this post is oh so perfect for this very second. I just pulled your sugar cookie recipe (which I admit, I substitute the sugar for splenda so my folks can have some cookies) And royal icing recipe (their cookies won’t have royal icing.. some will be plain) and then I check your blog (like always) and bam! Beautiful cookies and with a video!! I can only say: THANK YOU.
Cookbook Queen says
Your lines are SO straight and pretty. Gorgeous!! I am always amazed by your work!!
Anjali says
These cookies are perfection personified. Thanks for the video tutorial.
Jacque says
Wonderful tutorial!!! Will be decorating sugar cookies tomorrow so the timing is perfect! Thank you so much for sharing!
Shawn Olson says
Thank you so much.I always wondered how it was done.I recently bought a new tip set that has two tips that have 3 and 2 holes in them,i was sure all you experts were using such a tip lol.I also love Rosey’s cookies, they are so creative.Thanks again…
Jess Desserts says
What a wonderful video. Your lines are incredibly straight and clean! Beautiful.
NicoleT says
Your cookies are beautiful as always! Where did you get your clear stacking containers for your sprinkles? Thanks again for the tutorial.
Monica says
Great work, your cookies are perfect!
When im piping lines i usually get the little balls at the beginning i always try to cover them.
another thing, i dont know if it happens to you but when i pack my cookies and decorate them with sugar pearls they always fall very easily.
Mary says
OMG! These are beautiful!!!
Yvonne Herron says
That was awesome… you’re just a marvelous creativation.
Glory/ Glorious Treats says
Beautiful work as always Marian! Merry Christmas!!
Cristin (Pinkie) of Cristin's Cookies says
Beautifully done Marian!
Heidi says
Yay Marian!
I love love love those lined cookies and only tried them once-and got a soupy mess!!! Thank you for showing this! I love your videos! You should make a full lenght cookie tutorial film and sell it, I would buy that for sure!! Thank you and merry Christmas!!
marian says
@ Ingrid Urena: That’s great that it worked out for you in terms of timing! I’ve never tried the recipe with Splenda. Glad to hear it works out!
@ Cookbook Queen: Thanks! And I am by yours. =)
@ Anjali, @ Jacque: Thanks and have fun decorating. Would love to see what you come up with if you’d like to share on my Facebook page.
@ Shawn Olson: You mean the tips that are great for piping a ‘grass-look’? That’s a fun one 😉
@ Jess Desserts: Thank you!
@ NicoleT: The containers are actually for beads. I bought them from Michael’s and use them for my piping tips too.
@ Monica: Yes, that happens to me too! We probably have to put more icing, but I always forget.
@ Mary:
@ Yvonne Herron, @ Glory/ Glorious Treats, @Cristin (Pinkie) of Cristin’s Cookies, @ Heidi: Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you! xo
niner // We Choose Organic // sweet treats says
Ohhh Marian..what shall I say?!
Nothing but LOVE LOVE LOVE your post!
I know a video is SO much work but it’s just SO MUCH MORE helpful…its amazing.
Thanks so MUCH for putting SO MUCH work and time into your posts.
Many blessings!!
niner
Nadine says
Hi Marian,
Your cookies are once again GORGEOUS and the tutorial SO helpful (and timely). And I absolutely LOVE the music you chose for the “Fast Forward” part–so cute! Happy holidays!
sue @ cakeballs,cookies and more says
I love your work!I am not sure if you have done a video of your icing transfers, the ones you pipe then let dry before putting on your stuff. that would be neat.
Becky Jo says
Your cookies are amazing! Who would have thought that just straight lines could look so fantastic!
I would like to take a moment to thank you for all the wonderful videos that you post. They look as if they are professionaly made! The quality of the video, the clarity of the information you provide and the flawless preparation of your supplies make for a very pleasant viewing experience. I even love the music that you use! I know that a lot of time goes into preparing, setting up, taping, editing and uploading the videos. Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate all the time and effort that you put into making the videos. It is GREATLY appreciated!
P.S. Love the new format you are using for recording your videos (sitting at the table with a full view). It gives a “homey” feeling to them. Makes me feel like I am sitting across the table from you while sipping a cup of coffee! 🙂
Becky Jo says
@ sue @ cakeballs,cookies and more:
Sue, Marian has done a video showing how to do this.
Here is the link to it:
Becky Jo says
Well, that didn’t work out to well! Don’t know why the link I typed in didn’t show up. If you go into the tutorial section, find the video about royal icing consistency. She covers how to make the transfers in that video.
Deb says
I love, love your site. Just want to say Thank you so much for all your time and work. It has helped me out so much. It is like having a friend to help you out when your not to sure of what to do. May you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. Thanks for the wonderful gift of your website.
Laure says
I wanted to thank you for your amazing videos /blog / tutorials. I made my first RI cookies thanks to them !! I really enjoyed the process. And your cookies are always so pretty ! So .. Well .. Just wanted to thank you for your great work. 🙂
John Snediker says
Marian, as always you break down something that seems impossible to do into steps and methods we mere mortals can follow! By far you are the best at doing that; explaining techniques and giving hints that are very clear and easy to understand.
Before I looked at those cookies with all the lines and just shook my head like a chimp watching someone tie their shoe… Yeah I could see it could be done but not by my kind a ham handed cookie decorator! lol Well I tried it, my cookies aren’t ready for a magazine cover but this made dramatic difference…. this chimp may learn to tie his shoe after all… (what am I talking about? lol)
Thanks for making this world a better place one KG of powdered sugar at a time!
John
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
Thank you so much for sharing your talent for cookie decorating. The videos are so helpful and encouraging. I’m going to have to take my cookie decorating to the next level in the new year. Thanks for the inspiration.
Joan says
Marian:
Thank you for sharing your techniques. Your cookies are simply elegant with a unique, fresh look. Your earlier tutorial on outlining was very informative and this step-by-step demonstration on lines was excellent.
I would like to see a video on mixing icing colors. It sounds simple but I have difficulty getting the shades I’m trying to achieve. The reds turn out deep pink and the pastels too bright. Whether pastels or vivid greens and reds, your colors are exquisite. Happy Holidays, Joan
Robyn Woodroffe says
Thanks again marian, for a wonderful video tutorial. I especially appreciated the tips about balls when you first start the icing line, as they are the bane of my life.
Ginny Theodorakis says
Your cookies are beautiful! I am so inspired! How long have you been doing this?
bridget {bake at 350} says
Marian! Those cookies are PERFECTION!!! And I agree with all of the comments above…your videos are wonderful! Love hearing your voice!
Maria says
Marian, you are amazining! I love the way you teach and show all your talents and tricks. Every thing you do and show is sooo cerative and beautiful.
I love your wonderful blog.
Merry Christmas and take some time off.
ML
marian says
@ niner // We Choose Organic // sweet treats: Miss you, lovely girl! Good luck with the move and I look forward to seeing more of your baking posts soon.
@ Nadine: I must confess, I have that little music clip on my iTunes, and I *may* have pressed repeat, oh, about 20 times. It’s such a cheery tune.
@ sue @ cakeballs,cookies and more: Yes, thanks BeckyJo, there is a video on my youtube channel if you’d like to check it out.
@ Becky Jo: Well, wow, thank *you*. I’m still learning as I go, but am trying to make the videos useful for you, so I appreciate the feedback greatly! Glad you don’t mind me sitting at the table to show you – it’s comfortable for me. 😉 Do you have a youtube channel?
marian says
@ Deb: Thank you! That means a great deal to me! I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas too! xo
@ Laure: Thank you! I would love to see your cookies if you’d like to share them on my Facebook page.
@ John Snediker: You make me laugh with your descriptions – love it! Thanks for your kind feedback btw!
@ Barbara @ Barbara Bakes: Thanks for visiting and commenting!
@ Joan: Awesome, thanks for the idea! I will absolutely do that one (It’s just a matter of when… Lol).
@ Robyn Woodroffe: I know! They still ‘happen’, even with lots of practice.
@ Ginny Theodorakis: From the absolute, very beginning, when I started with my first gingerbread house, it’s been exactly 9 years. I started decorating cookies about a year later and have been playing around ever since.
@ bridget {bake at 350}: Thanks, Bridget – I appreciate it!
@ Maria: Hee hee… I will.
Gail says
Marian, YOU are my cookie hero extraordinaire! What a thoughtful, well-presented tutorial on piping lines! SO well-done, and thank you for mentioning my silly little video.
xoxo
Maria says
You are beyond talented! Love all of your cookies!
andrea rodriguez says
i love the music and off course your work. you are a truly artist. i want to say thanks Marian for all your tips and faster answer through facebook. last week i have to make 300 hundred cookies for my home business and i used all your advice and the cookies were perfect i will post a picture on facebook. so i want to say thanks for be part of my dream called ” sweet butterfly”( is the name of my business) because you help me a lot and without you i couldn’t make on time. so have the best Christmas ever with your family and your loves ones.
Shawn Olson says
The two tips i am talking about are made in Italy.One has two same size holes in it about 1/8 inch apart,the other one has three holes in it with about the same spacing.So if i use that tip i will get three lines all equally spaced apart.It is nice when needing to pipe a lot of evenly spaced lines.Its not the grass tip.If you dont have the tips im talking about i bet you would find them useful.I would send them to you if i could buy them single.I will keep my eye out for them.Until then thank you for your help and inspiration.
andrea rodriguez says
andrea rodriguez wrote:
andrea rodriguez says
again me Marian here is the link of my page on facebook if you have time to see it http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Butterfly/153143858109805.
and again thanks
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Gail, @ Maria: Thanks, sweet ladies!
@ andrea rodriguez: I’m so glad I can help you in some way! Off to see your link in a second.
@ Shawn Olson: I haven’t even seen that tip – so exciting! Thank you for your offer as well, so sweet of you! I will let you know if I find it.
Lora says
Great video and tips.Thanks and Happy holidays!
Stephanie (bake with ginger) says
What an awesome video!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Lora, @ Stephanie (bake with ginger): Thanks and happy holidays to you too!
Miriam @ Overtime Cook says
That was amazing! Thank you so, so, SO much for the video. I am getting really in to royal icing cookies, and this should really help me get to the next level. Plus, I can’t get over how fancy yours are with just lines! Wow!
Francesca Dolcimaterieprime says
Wonderful cookies and tutorial, thanks Marian, Merry Christmas! <3
Sandra says
Wow wonderful cookies i like the precision.. Super Works. I wish a Merry Christmas………from Italy!
Sue says
I was enthralled with your video! Your lines/cookies are perfection and it’s so amazing how “easy” you make it look, but I know better:) I am very inspired to try your technique of letting the icing fall, plus I am going to buy better tips at the right size. Thanks for sharing your talent and Merry Christmas, Marian!
marian says
@ Miriam @ Overtime Cook, @ Francesca Dolcimaterieprime, @ Sandra, @ Sue: Thanks and Merry Christmas to you!
Natalie@DeconstructingTheHome says
I gave this a try and my cookies turned out great! I even used your cookie recipes. In fact every single one was eaten so I think that means that they tasted good and looked edible! Thanks for the help!
Paige says
Thanks for your great video tutorials. Your video titled “How to Pipe Royal Icing Lines” is excellent. Your cookies are beautiful as always! Where did you get your clear stacking containers for your sprinkles?
Marian (Sweetopia) says
That’s wonderful @ Natalie@DeconstructingTheHome! I’m glad to hear it. Happy Holidays!
@ Paige: Thanks! I bought the container’s at Michael’s Craft Store in the beading aisle. I also use them to store piping tips (love them!):
https://sweetopia.net/2010/01/top-10-practical-tips-for-decorating-cookies/
Happy decorating!
Paige says
@ Paige:
Thanks, great idea for the storage of the piping tips. You are so talented.