Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

What You’ll Need:

• Cookies

  • 2 cups white sugar 

  • 1 ½ cups butter, softened 

  • 4 large eggs 

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour 

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder 

  • 1 teaspoon salt

• Royal Icing

  • 4 pasteurized egg whites

  • 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to make:

• First, gather all your ingredients for both the cookies and the icing.

• Now, for the cookies:

  • Cream the butter and sugar: The first thing you'll do is beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer (hand-held or stand mixer) until the mixture is light and fluffy. Depending on the mixer you use, this could take four to five minutes. 

  • Add eggs and vanilla: After the butter and sugar are creamed, add the eggs and vanilla by adding one egg at a time. You'll want the eggs and vanilla to be thoroughly mixed into the butter and sugar before adding the dry ingredients.

  • Add Dry Ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt): Measure ingredients into a separate bowl, whisk them together thoroughly, and add in 1/4 cup at a time.

  • Cover and chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour, best results if you firm overnight.

  • When you’re ready to bake!

    • Preheat your oven to 400F.

    • Remove the dough from the refrigerator and prep your baking sheets, and gather your cookie cutters.

    • Dust your countertop and rolling pin with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Roll the dough to an even thickness (or for kids, have them simply press with their hands!), about ¼ to ½ inch. Dip the sharp edge of your cookie cutter into flour and cut out shapes. 

    • Bake for six to eight minutes to bake, until slightly browned. Transfer them to a wire rack (or just off the hot pan) to cool.

• Next for the Royal Icing

  • Beat egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer (stand mixer is the best!) at high speed until foamy.

  • Gradually add sugar and vanilla (or lemon) extract; continue to beat on high speed until thickened.

    • Optional: mix icing with food coloring for lots of fun decorating!

  • Add royal icing to piping bags.

• Finally! It is time to ice your cookies!

• Enjoy!!!