Why Make This Recipe
Valentine’s Day is a special occasion where we show our love and appreciation for those close to us. What could be better than making thoughtful, homemade gifts? These Easy Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are not only fun to make but also delightful to eat. They are perfect for gifting, sharing at parties, or simply enjoying with your loved ones. With their soft texture and colorful decorations, they are bound to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
How to Make Easy Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups flour (I always use King Arthur all-purpose flour)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter (I like Kerrygold unsalted butter for this)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg (room temperature, about 70°F)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted to remove lumps)
- 3 tbsp meringue powder (I use Wilton for the most consistent stiff peaks)
- 10 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- Gel food coloring
Directions:
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Start by sifting together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This step removes lumps and ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed, leading to perfect cookies. Also, take the egg out of the fridge to reach room temperature.
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In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes until fluffy and light in color. This creaming process introduces air, giving the cookies a tender crumb. Don’t rush this step!
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Add the room-temperature egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute until well combined. A pinch of salt can enhance the flavors here.
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Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will make your cookies tough. Turn the dough out onto parchment paper, shape it into a disk, and wrap it tightly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours).
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Preheat your oven to 350°F. Roll out the chilled dough between two pieces of parchment paper to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart, and bake for 11–12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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For the royal icing, mix the sifted confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, 9 tablespoons of water, fine sea salt, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Beat on high speed for 1.5–2 minutes until stiff peaks form. Start with 9 tablespoons of water; add more if needed.
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Divide the icing into separate bowls and color them with gel food coloring. Pipe the icing around the edges of each cooled cookie and fill in the centers. Allow the first layer to set for about 2 hours. Afterward, use red icing to write Valentine’s messages or designs and let them dry for another 2–3 hours.
How to Serve Easy Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
Serve these beautiful sugar cookies on a decorative plate, or package them in cute boxes or bags for gifts. They are perfect for sharing at Valentine’s Day parties or just enjoying with friends and family.
How to Store Easy Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about a week. If you need to keep them longer, consider freezing the undecorated cookies. Thaw them before decorating for the best results.
Tips to Make Easy Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
- Ensure your butter is softened perfectly for easier mixing.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough—it makes rolling easier and ensures the cookies keep their shape.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors that won’t water down your icing.
- Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating your cookies for better results.
Variation
You can customize these sugar cookies for different occasions by changing the shapes and colors of the icing. For example, use different cookie cutter shapes for other holidays or themes like Easter or Christmas!
FAQs
Q: Can I use a different type of flour?
A: Yes, but other types of flour may change the texture of your cookies. All-purpose flour gives the best results.
Q: How can I prevent my icing from cracking?
A: Make sure to cover the cookies with a clean kitchen towel while they dry and avoid moving them too much until set.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before rolling it out.
Easy Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
- Total Time: 132 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful and soft sugar cookies decorated with royal icing, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted)
- 3 tbsp meringue powder
- 10 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- Gel food coloring
Instructions
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Beat the butter and sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes until fluffy and light in color.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture.
- Mix the dry ingredients gradually into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours (up to 24 hours).
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and roll out the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out heart shapes and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 11–12 minutes and let cool.
- Mix confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, 9 tablespoons of water, fine sea salt, and lemon juice to make royal icing.
- Pipe the icing around the cookie edges and fill in centers, then allow to set.
Notes
Ensure your butter is perfectly softened. Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues.
- Prep Time: 120 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
