How to Make Custom Homemade Sprinkles Using Stencils

Homemade sprinkles are a fun and easy way to customize cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. With Sprinkle Stencils, you can choose your ingredients and create colors and shapes that coordinate with any decorating theme.

At BakeArt Stencils, we invented the original Sprinkle Stencil in 2021. Today, our Sprinkle Art Collection includes more than 125 designs for seasons, holidays, birthdays, weddings, baby showers, hobbies, and other special events, along with tools designed to make the process even easier.

Why Make Your Own Sprinkles?

Instead of settling for store-bought sprinkle mixes that may not include the exact colors, shapes, or ingredients you need, try making your own. This gives you control over both their appearance and what goes into them.

Choose your preferred icing recipe and ingredients that work for your household, business, or customers. Depending on the products you select, homemade sprinkles can be made without artificial dyes or added preservatives. Always check individual ingredient labels when decorating for a dietary preference or sensitivity.

You can also match an exact color palette, create shapes for a particular theme, use leftover icing, and prepare decorations in advance. Make only what your project requires or combine several batches to create your own custom sprinkle mixes.

What You’ll Need

• A Sprinkle Stencil in your chosen design
• Thick, freshly prepared royal icing
• Parchment paper
• A BakeArt Icing Scraper
• A BakeArt Sweep & Scoop Set
• An airtight container for storage

All of our Sprinkle Stencils include the option to add a BakeArt Icing Scraper and Sweep & Scoop Set, making it easy to purchase the tools you need along with your selected design.

The Best Icing Consistency for Homemade Sprinkles

For the best results, use thick royal icing with approximately the same consistency you would use for cookie stenciling. It should spread smoothly while remaining thick enough to hold each shape after the stencil is lifted.

Fresh icing works best. If it has been sitting for a while, stir it thoroughly and adjust the consistency as needed before beginning.

How to Make Homemade Sprinkles with a Stencil

1. Prepare Your Work Surface

Place a sheet of parchment paper on a flat surface where it can remain undisturbed while the sprinkles dry. Lay your selected Sprinkle Stencil flat on top.

The finished shapes will remain on the parchment throughout the drying process, so you will not need to transfer them after lifting the stencil.

2. Apply the Icing

Place a small amount of icing along one side of the stencil. Using a BakeArt Icing Scraper, spread it across the surface in smooth, even strokes. An Icing Genie can also be used for this step.

Fill every opening completely, then scrape away the excess so the icing is level with the top of the stencil and each shape has an even thickness.

3. Carefully Lift the Stencil

Starting at one corner, slowly lift the stencil away from the parchment paper using a gentle, even motion. The formed sprinkle shapes will remain on the paper.

4. Allow the Sprinkles to Harden

Let the sprinkles sit undisturbed for approximately 30 minutes to one hour. Drying time will vary depending on the icing, the size and thickness of the shapes, and the humidity in your workspace. Higher humidity will generally require a longer drying time.

5. Perform the Corner Test

Before collecting the entire batch, test one sprinkle near a corner of the parchment paper.

Use the flat end of the Sweep Stick to gently push against it. If it lifts easily and remains firm, the batch is ready to collect. If it sticks, bends, or breaks, allow the sprinkles to continue drying before testing again.

6. Sweep and Scoop

Once the shapes have hardened, use the flat edge of the Sweep Stick to release them from the parchment.

Use the Scoop Stick to lift and collect them. Together, the two tools work like a miniature broom and dustpan, helping you gather the small decorations without scattering them across your work surface.

Homemade bunny sprinkles created with our Bunny Sprinkle Stencil and collected with the BakeArt Sweep & Scoop Set.

Create Your Own Sprinkle Mixes

Make several batches in different colors and shapes to create completely customized sprinkle mixes. Combine pumpkins, leaves, and dots in coordinating fall colors, or mix snowflakes and stars in your favorite winter palette. The same technique can be used for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, sports, hobbies, and other themes.

Our 6-Well Paint Tray & Sprinkle Sorter keeps different colors, sizes, and shapes separated and within reach while you decorate. Once you have made your selections, combine them to create your finished mix.

Coordinate Sprinkles, Cookies, and Dessert Tables

Many of our Sprinkle Stencil designs coordinate with BakeArt Cookie Stencils, Cookie Cutters, or both. This makes it easy to carry the same colors and theme across several types of desserts.

For example, if a client orders cookies and chocolate covered Oreos, you can use a coordinating cookie stencil or cutter for the cookies and make matching sprinkles for the Oreos. Repeating the same shapes and design details creates a cohesive presentation for birthdays, baby showers, weddings, holidays gatherings, and other dessert tables.

Look for coordinating products on individual Sprinkle Stencil pages, or browse our Cookie Stencils and Cookie Cutters to complete your theme.

Try pairing our Beetles Sprinkle Stencil with our Skinny Stripes Cookie Stencil and carry the theme further by adding in our Beetle Suit Cookie Stencil.

How to Store Homemade Sprinkles

Make sure the sprinkles are completely dry before storing them. Although they may be firm enough to lift after 30 minutes to one hour, thicker shapes may require several additional hours or overnight drying before being sealed in a container.

Once completely dry:

• Place the sprinkles in a clean, airtight container. We love reusing clean, empty spice jars for sprinkle storage.
• Store the container in a cool, dry location.
• Keep the sprinkles away from humidity, heat, and direct sunlight.
• Label the container with the color, shape, theme, and date.
• Avoid refrigeration, since condensation can soften the decorations.

Properly dried sprinkles can generally be stored for several months when kept airtight and protected from moisture and sunlight. Storage time may vary based on the recipe and ingredients used.

Make Sprinkles Ahead of Time

Homemade sprinkles can be prepared well before you begin decorating. Make them ahead of busy baking seasons, or use leftover icing to build a collection of colors and designs for future projects.

Once made and stored, they will be ready whenever you need a finishing detail for cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts.

Everything You Need to Get Started

New to making homemade sprinkles? Our Make Your Own Sprinkles Starter Set includes Heart and Polka Dot Sprinkle Stencils, a BakeArt Icing Scraper, and the Sweep & Scoop Set.

Prefer a different theme? Explore more than 125 designs in our Sprinkle Art Collection, or shop our Sprinkle Bundles and Tools for additional sets and sprinkle-making supplies.

What are you waiting for? Let’s make some sprinkles!

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