Hi, I am new to the cookie decorating and am already addicted! my first addiciton was cakes and cupcakes. I am just wondering what more people use out there the 2 or 8oz bottles or pastry bags and the reasoning why or why not? I would really like to get the bottles because it just seems way easier to store and then you can make a bunch of colors at once and then store them in the bottles. I have read they are not fun to fill but I would think a funnel would make that easier.
would love to know your thoughts
thanks in advance!!
Kiley

I use parchment paper cones mostly for cookies. I do break out the pastry bags if I want a certain tip. The bottles I can see being great for flooding.

I use both.Bags and #2or#3 tip to outline and flood with 4 oz.size bottles.Its easier and faster for me to flood with bottles.

I've tried both and I prefer the bags, mostly because of the wasted icing in the bottles that I can't squeeze out all the way.

An easy way to fill the bag is insert a bag into an empty Pringles can. Luv it! (this was an idea I got from another CC'er). I then use a sm. measuring cup (1/3 or 1/2 size) to scoop the icing from the mixing bowl to the bag.

to fill the bottles, I do use a bag and can control the icing going in mess free. They work good for large flooding, with kids, and for storing. I prefer to use bags myself for 99% of the time. I do like indydebi does with the pringles can but use an ice cream scoop for 1 handed filling, 1 to hold the can. I am a klutz!

For cookies, I use ziplock bags. They are smaller than pastry bags so they give me more control. I cut the tip of one corner just like you would do with a pastry bag. I fill my bags by putting the baggie in a glass and then using a spoon to pour in.

Welcome to the world of cookies, Kileyscakes. They are so much fun!!

I did not like the bottles cause even with a funnel, I found it hard to fill. They were also hard to squeeze if the icing was not very very runny. When I gave it to the kids, they literally squeezed them with their teeth! I now give them ziplock bags. Then I don't have to wash them either. For myself, I use pastry bags, except when I'm lazy, then I use ziplock bags, they're easier to fill and go right in the garbage. (I basically do cookies)

Well I don't use either. I use paint brushes and baby spoons. I got the baby spoons are the dollar tree. I use the spoon when I have a large area and I use the brush when I need details. Sometimes I will pipe accents for that I will use a bag.

I used the Bag to pipe outline and Bottle to fill in, then bag to a Bag to Pipe the details.

word to the wise if you buy bottles, make sure they aren't from the dollar store (ketchup and mustard type picnic bottles)......if you get an air pocket and squeeze too hard the whole lid will pop off ONTO your beautiful cookie and the icing will go EVERYWHERE!!!

Yikes thanks for the tip! I bought the Wilton Bottles (set of 2), but I think I will buy those SQUEEZIT MOLD PAINTER bottles next time when I am at Michael's or Hobby Lobby

check out the Doboard, it changed my cookie making life, seriously has to be the best thing baking wise I ever bought.

Andrea, What is the Doboard? I am intrigued.
Thanks, Melody

I use the bottles for flooding, fill with funnel. I use the disposable bags for outlining, more control.

I prefer parchment or bags. I have some bottles - got them from Pampered Chef - because I thought they would be easier. I find you have to squeeze them a lot harder, they are hard to fill and I feel like you waste a lot more because you can't get the icing out, like IndyDebi said. Now, I do have a weaker wrist, because of a surgery years ago, but with the bag I can usually manage a pretty long time without fatigue - the bottles, it was a very short time. Kind of disappointed because I liked the idea of keeping different colors, etc.

I use a bag for outlining and then 8 oz bottles for flooding. If I don't have a lot of detail, I sometimes use a 2 oz bottle with a size 2 tip for outlining.