Cookie decorators, meet your new best friend...

...the toothpick!
Yes, besides my Kitchen Aid mixer and rubber spatulas, the toothpick is the tool I use the most when cookie decorating.

Toothpick, how do I use thee...let me count the ways...

  1. to spread/guide flood icing into the corners of cookies,
  2. to pop pesky air bubbles in flood icing,
  3. to nudge piped icing into the right spot when my hand is a little shaky,
  4. to add just a bit of food coloring to royal icing without adding too much,
  5. to drag through wet flood icing to make squiggles, feathers, hearts, etc., (see below)
  6. to move my pre-made monogram into the right place when I've dropped it off-center,
  7. to clear out an icing tip that has gotten a little too dry,
  8. and, to scrape all of the icing off of a cookie when I have messed up big time,

I know I will think of more...I've gone through thousands of these things! Anyone else use them?

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11 comments

  1. adozeneggsSeptember 7, 2008 at 11:06 PM

    wow,funky spider webs. I like!!
    I use exacto knives for all the same purposes you use toothpicks. They are awesome for dragging the spider webby designs. Also, super awesome for popping bubbles!! I usually use a paring knife to scrape icing mistakes! BTW, are those new cookies, or from your archives???

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  2. MollySeptember 8, 2008 at 12:16 AM

    I need to get some of those before Dad gets here! But not for cookies!

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  3. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)September 8, 2008 at 5:29 AM

    Yes! Love toothpicks -- they are our main decorating tool, also, and when I host my large cookie decorating events, we use them by the hundreds.

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  4. Cannelle Et VanilleSeptember 8, 2008 at 6:27 AM

    cute spider webs... i can't wait for halloween. and thanks for sharing your tips!

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  5. LSeptember 8, 2008 at 7:08 AM

    First, your cookies are beautiful and second, you aren't lying about that toothpick. I LOVE 'EM!

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  6. BridgetSeptember 8, 2008 at 7:18 AM

    Laura...those are from my "archives." :)

    I love that exacto knife idea. I may have to add a new tool to my kitchen...thanks!

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  7. MichaelaSeptember 8, 2008 at 9:13 AM

    Oh YEA! Toothpicks are such useful tools for lots and lots of things :) Those spider web cookies are GREAT! I already have my Halloween decorations out! I know I know it's early but I can't wait for my favorite holiday!!

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  8. MonteeSeptember 8, 2008 at 4:13 PM

    Cute cookies! Yes, toothpicks are the best tools!

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  9. mens overcoatsSeptember 7, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Chopstick for chocolate mallows? I love it.

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  10. bloxorzSeptember 6, 2018 at 8:27 AM

    How long does it take to complete this article? I have read through other blogs, but they are cumbersome and confusing. I hope you continue to have such quality articles to share!

    ReplyDelete
  11. thao vanOctober 3, 2019 at 8:19 PM

    Thanks a lot for the post. It has helped me get some nice ideas. I hope I will see some really good result soon.
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    ReplyDelete

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