easter sugar cookies with royal icing
Celebrate Easter with these delightful sugar cookies decorated with vibrant royal icing. Perfect for family gatherings, these cookies are not only fun to make but also a joy to decorate.
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowls
- 1 electric mixer or whisk
- 1 baking sheets
- 1 parchment paper
- 1 rolling pin
- 1 cookie cutters (Easter-themed)
- 1 cooling rack
- 1 piping bags and tips
- 1 sifter
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5-7 tablespoons water Adjust as needed for desired consistency.
- to taste food coloring Optional.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about ¼ inch thick and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on a cooling rack.
- Prepare the royal icing by mixing powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water in a bowl until stiff peaks form. Adjust water for desired consistency.
- Divide the icing into bowls and add food coloring if desired, then transfer colored icing into piping bags.
- Decorate the cookies using the royal icing as desired. Allow to dry completely, which may take several hours.
- Once the icing is fully set, serve or store the cookies in an airtight container.
Notes
Royal icing can be stored in an airtight container; however, it’s best used fresh.
You can flavor the royal icing with extracts if you prefer a different taste.
To make it easier to pipe the icing, you can dilute it with a little extra water until it reaches a workable consistency.