Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe

Introduction

These classic sugar cookies are soft and buttery, making them ideal for decorating with vibrant royal icing. Perfect for festive occasions, they offer endless fun, especially when kids join in to create colorful designs using various cookie cutter shapes.

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Royal icing (for decorating)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
4. Step 4: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully incorporated.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, blending until just combined.
6. Step 6: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to your desired thickness and use cookie cutters to cut into shapes. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Step 7: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely before decorating with royal icing.

Tips & Variations

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading during baking.
• Use clear vanilla extract if you prefer a more neutral flavor without added color.
• Experiment with different extracts like lemon or peppermint for unique cookie flavors.
• For a crispier cookie, roll the dough thinner and bake a minute or two longer, watching closely.

Storage

Store the sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If decorated with royal icing, allow the icing to fully harden before stacking to avoid sticking. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies in a sealed container for up to three months and thaw before decorating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit any added salt in the recipe to avoid making the cookies too salty.

How do I make royal icing for decorating?

Royal icing is typically made from powdered sugar, egg whites or meringue powder, and a little water. Mix until smooth and adjust consistency with water as needed for outlining or flooding cookies.

Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe

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These classic sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating with colorful royal icing. Ideal for festive occasions, these cookies offer a fun baking activity for kids who can personalize their cookies with various shapes and vibrant icing designs.

• Author: Jeannette
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Decoration

• Royal icing (for decorating)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder to evenly distribute the leavening agents throughout the flour.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
4. Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated.
5. Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to maintain cookie softness.
6. Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to your desired thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges start to turn a light golden color. This ensures they remain soft yet fully baked.
8. Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating them with royal icing to add festive and colorful designs.

Notes

• For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure proper creaming with sugar.
• Do not overbake the cookies to keep them soft; remove them once the edges begin to lightly brown.
• Royal icing should be added after the cookies have fully cooled to prevent melting.
• Cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours wrapped in plastic wrap before rolling.
• Multiple shapes can be created using different cookie cutters for a festive variety.

Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, holiday cookies, butter cookies, decorated cookies, festive cookies