Back to School Cookies: Easy Apple Cut Out Cookies with Decorating Icing

Wilton provided product used in this back to school cookies post. All opinions are my own.

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Nothing says “back to school” quite like apples—and what better way to celebrate the new school year than with back to school cookies shaped like apples? These adorable apple cut out cookies are perfect for teacher gifts, lunchbox surprises, or a fun first-day-of-school baking project with the kids.

Even better? You don’t need to spend hours mixing up royal icing from scratch. With Wilton’s cookie icing packets and the star tip, decorating is easy, mess-free, and fun for bakers of all ages.

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Why Apple Shaped for Back to School

• Symbolic & festive: Apples are a classic back-to-school symbol, making apple shaped cookies the cutest edible gift.
• Teacher-approved: Packaged in clear treat bags with a ribbon, these back to school sugar cookies make the sweetest welcome-back surprise for teachers.
• Kid-friendly: Decorating cookies with easy frosting for sugar cookies is an activity kids will love.

These cookies are not only delicious, but they also help mark the excitement of a new school year. If you’re looking for an apple shaped cookie cutter, there are lots of options here.

Sugar Cookie Recipe

My favorite sugar cookie recipe you can find here. It is full-proof and really easy to make from scratch. It is fool-proof and really easy to make from scratch. What makes it the best sugar cookie recipe is how soft yet sturdy the cookies turn out—they hold their shape beautifully for cut-outs while staying tender and buttery on the inside. The dough mixes up quickly with pantry staples, rolls out smoothly, and chills well so you can cut perfect back-to-school shapes like apples and pencils. Once baked, the cookies have a light golden edge and a melt-in-your-mouth center, making them the perfect canvas for decorating with Wilton’s cookie icing packets and star tips.

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Store Bought Dough

If you’re short on time, store-bought cookie dough can absolutely work for cut-out cookies—you just need to make a few quick adjustments. Most packaged sugar cookie dough is meant for drop cookies, so it can be a little too soft and spread more than you want for shapes. The trick is to chill the dough thoroughly (at least an hour in the fridge) before rolling it out. I also like to add a tablespoon or two of flour to the dough as I knead it, which makes it sturdier for cut-outs without changing the flavor too much.

Another tip is to roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking, and keep it at about ¼ inch thick for best results. After cutting out your shapes, place the tray back in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before baking—this helps the cookies hold their edges and come out looking neat. Once baked and cooled, decorate them with Wilton’s cookie icing packets or your favorite frosting. Using store-bought dough makes it so easy to get festive back-to-school cookies on the table without starting from scratch, and kids will never know the difference!

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The Best Frosting for Sugar Cookies

When it comes to frosting for cookies, you want something smooth, tasty, and easy to decorate with. Here are some great options:

• Easy Cookie Frosting: A quick homemade glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla is perfect for spreading or dipping.
• Wilton Cookie Icing Packets: These ready-to-use packets are my favorite for frosting for decorating sugar cookies. With the star tip, you can create leaves, borders, and fine details without fuss.
• Canned Frosting Hacks: If you’re in a pinch, try these store bought frosting hacks—thicken with powdered sugar, or thin with a splash of milk for smoother spreading.

This way, you can choose the best frosting for sugar cookies depending on how much time you have.

How to Decorate Apple Cookies with Icing

Here’s how I decorated my apple cut out cookies using Wilton’s cookie icing packets:

• Base Color: Use red icing to outline and flood the apple.
• Leaves: Switch to green icing with the star tip to pipe cute little leaves.
• Stem: Add a brown stem with chocolate icing or melted chocolate. Or you can do what I did and just use green for the entire thing.
• The result? Perfect decorated apple cookies that look bakery-worthy, but are simple enough to make at home.

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Tips for Decorating Back to School Cookies

• Always let cookies cool before frosting.
• Use separate icing colors for different details (red apples, green leaves, brown stems).
• Let the first icing layer dry before adding decorative details so they don’t bleed.
• If using canned frosting, check out these store bought icing hacks for better texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat to celebrate the season, these back to school cookies are a great option. With a simple apple cut out cookie recipe and easy-to-use Wilton cookie icing packets, you can create decorated apple sugar cookies that will wow teachers, kids, and parents alike.

So whether you’re searching for the best frosting recipe for sugar cookies or clever canned frosting hacks, this recipe proves you can have bakery-style results right at home.