There’s something whimsical, nostalgic, and comforting about the magic of Christmas cookie season. Whether the recipes enchant you, the heartwarming stories and traditions that have carried them through the ages, the creativity expressed through new and inventive concepts, or their timelessly crafted beauty, it’s hard not to feel the pure joy and spirit of the holiday season when you see a Christmas cookie.
As someone who identifies much more as a cook than a baker, I embrace each Christmas cookie season as a perfect time to learn at least one new skill, tip, or recipe. This year, I decided to focus on decorating. One thing I’ve always wondered is how bakeries and skilled home bakers get sprinkles to stay perfectly intact and in place on cut-out cookies or spritzes, without even a drop of frosting or glaze. Mine always seem to trickle right off the sides! There had to be an answer. And so I dug deeper. Here is what I found out.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
What Keeps Sprinkles From Falling off Cookies?
It turns out, the answer wasn’t just simple—it was also sitting right inside my pantry! After some internet research and a few text messages to the pro bakers in my life, I discovered that brushing cookies with a thin layer of corn syrup keeps sprinkles in place. The cookies absorb the syrup and reveal a lovely shine after baking. The sprinkles set firmly, and you won’t notice any impact on the taste or texture of the cookies. This step is such a simple, yet game-changing tip for novice bakers everywhere!
How to Use Corn Syrup to Keep Sprinkles on Cookies
- Pour some light corn syrup into a dish.
- Pour sprinkles into a separate dish (or multiple separate dishes if you’re using various colors or types of sprinkles for decorating).
- Working with one cookie at a time, brush a thin coating of corn syrup onto a cookie using a silicone brush.
- Dip the (coated) cookie into the sprinkles of choice, giving it a gentle shake as you lift it from the sprinkles to shake off any excess.
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet to bake, then tent them with aluminum foil while they dry and cool.
Sugar Cookies.
David Bishop Inc./Photolibrary/Getty Images
What if You Don’t Have Corn Syrup?
Don’t worry! Try these methods instead!
Before Baking
- Egg wash. Before baking the cookies, whisk together two egg whites and a splash of water in a small bowl with a fork, then brush the cookie tops with the egg wash before adding sprinkles. This step will add a sheen to the cookies, as well.
- Milk or water. Add some milk or water to a bowl, then, similar to the corn syrup method above, brush a very little bit onto each cookie before adding sprinkles and baking.
After Baking
- Frosting or a glaze. A more traditional method for cookie decorating is to apply frostings or a glaze, which essentially acts as a glue for sprinkles. You can make homemade frosting, or add food coloring to our favorite store-bought vanilla frosting. Just be sure to apply sprinkles before the frosting or glaze dries, which happens in just a couple of minutes.
