This is such an easy recipe! I threw the dough together in less then 10 minutes. Then popped it in the fridge to chill while I did chores and chased around a very quick and mobile baby. After she went down for her nap I got down to business and baked these wonderful cookies.
It’s definitely my go to recipe. It’s simple with very few ingredients and while they’re baking, they make the whole house smell like warm vanilla. Yum. These make great Holiday gifts or a fun activity to do with the kiddos!
The Royal Icing hardens up just like the “real” recipe made with meringue powder…but honestly who has meringue powder just laying around? So after a little experimenting I found that corn syrup does the same trick! Plus the icing stays good in the fridge for up to a week. I used maybe a 1/4th of it making these cookies. So, if you want to go heavier on the icing part it makes plenty!
I hope you enjoy this recipe…I know my family does! ❤
Happy Holidays!!
Easy Sugar Cookies & Royal Icing!
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy35
Cookies12
minutes2
HoursThis is such an easy and perfect sugar cookie recipe. The cookies are firm, but soft. The whole house will smell like vanilla. These cookies are the perfect canvas to decorate and show off your holiday spirit! I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as my family does!
Ingredients
- Sugar Cookies
1 Cup of Unsalted Butter (Room Temp)
1 Cup of Sugar
1 Egg
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
2 1/2 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
- Royal Icing
3 Cups of Powdered Sugar
2 Tablespoons of Milk
2 Tablespoons of Light Corn Syrup
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla or Almond Extract
Gel Food Coloring of Your Choice
Water, for Thinning (I used about 1 1/2 Tbsps)
Directions
- I like to use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for this recipe, but use what ever you have on hand!
- In the mixing bowl, beat together the sugar & butter – once combined add in the vanilla, egg, & salt.
- Now add in the flour, a 1/2 cup at a time, until it’s all added and coming together to form a smooth ball of dough. Wrap this in plastic wrap & let it cool in the fridge for at LEAST 2 hours.*
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Once the dough is chilled, grab a rolling pin & roll out the dough about a 1/4″ thick. Then use your favorite cookie cutters for your cookies. Place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet & bake for about 10-12 minutes or until they are firm & slightly golden. When they’re done baking place on a cooling rack.
- While the cookies are cooling, make the royal icing. Add the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, & vanilla to a bowl. Start whisking until the powdered sugar is dissolved & you get a nice smooth texture. Add water as needed to achieve this. (Add in your food coloring at this point as well.) You want the icing to be thick enough to hold shape, but runny enough to be workable.*
- Use a small ziploc baggie or piping bag & spoon the icing into the bags. Cut the tip off & decorate to your hearts content!!
Notes
- You can refrigerate this dough for up to 7 days.
- If you can grab a spoon & the icing “ribbons” off of the spoon it’s perfect!
These look like a masterpiece of art. I Love seeing your post. I could never make mine look like this. I’m going to use this cookie recipe tonight. Keep on Baking🍪