How to Make Sugar Cookies Decorated with Royal Icing
**How to Make Sugar Cookies Decorated with Royal Icing**
Sugar cookies are a classic treat that can be customized for any occasion. Decorating them with royal icing not only adds a beautiful finish but also allows for creative expression. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making and decorating sugar cookies with royal icing.
**Ingredients for Sugar Cookies:**
– 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– ½ teaspoon baking powder
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
– ¼ teaspoon salt
**Instructions for Sugar Cookies:**
1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugar:** In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
4. **Add Wet Ingredients:** Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
5. **Combine Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. **Roll Out Dough:** Roll the dough into balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your hand.
7. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
**Ingredients for Royal Icing:**
– 3 cups powdered sugar
– 2 tablespoons meringue powder
– 5-6 tablespoons warm water
– Food coloring (optional)
**Instructions for Royal Icing:**
1. **Mix Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add 5 tablespoons of warm water and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the icing is glossy and forms stiff peaks, about 5-7 minutes. If the icing is too thick, add more water a teaspoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
2. **Color the Icing:** Divide the icing into separate bowls if you plan to use different colors. Add food coloring to each bowl and mix until the color is evenly distributed.
3. **Prepare for Piping:** Transfer the icing to piping bags fitted with small round tips. If you don’t have piping bags, you can use zip-top bags with a small corner snipped off.
**Decorating the Cookies:**
1. **Outline the Cookies:** Start by outlining the edges of each cookie with royal icing. This creates a barrier to keep the icing from spilling over the sides.
2. **Flood the Cookies:** Once the outline has set, fill in the center of the cookie with more icing. Use a toothpick or a small spatula to spread the icing evenly and pop any air bubbles.
3. **Add Details:** If desired, add additional details with different colors of icing. You can create patterns, shapes, or write messages on the cookies.
4. **Dry the Icing:** Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely at room temperature. This can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight, depending on the humidity.
5. **Store the Cookies:** Once the icing is fully set, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last up to a week.
Decorating sugar cookies with royal icing is a fun and rewarding activity. With practice, you can create beautifully decorated cookies that are perfect for any celebration. Enjoy your delicious and artistic creations!
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