Description
These soft sugar cookies, paired with professional royal icing, provide an irresistible flavor that’s perfect for holidays or special occasions. Easy to prepare and delicious, you’ll love how they bring joy to any gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (65-67ºf)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar (icing)
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder (icing)
- 9 tablespoons warm water (100-110°f)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (icing)
Instructions
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-low speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract; mix on medium-high speed for 20-30 seconds until combined.
- Sift the dry ingredients together and add to the mixer; pulse until the dough just comes together.
- Divide the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1-3 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut out shapes and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes, or until the surface is dry for 3-inch cookies.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- For the icing, whisk together icing ingredients on low speed for 7 minutes, then medium-low speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Adjust the icing consistency for border and flood icing by adding water as needed.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with icing and let them dry for 6-8 hours.
Notes
For the best flavor, use high-quality vanilla extract.
Ensure the butter is softened properly for better creaming.
Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent smudging.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg