Growing up, there was always one thing I could count on during the holiday season – my grandma’s famous sugar cookies with royal icing. The smell of that buttery dough and sweet vanilla would fill the entire house, instantly putting me in the festive spirit. I can still remember the joy I felt when I’d walk in the door and see her carefully decorating each cookie with intricate designs and vibrant colors. She’d let me pick out my favorite shapes, from twinkling stars to jolly Santas, and I’d spend hours watching her work her magic, admiring the way the icing dried to a perfect glossy sheen.
Once they were ready, I’d grab a warm cookie straight from the tray, the soft dough melting in my mouth as the creamy icing coated my tongue. It was pure bliss – the kind of moment that stays with you forever. To this day, biting into a sugar cookie with royal icing transports me right back to those special holiday memories with my grandma. They’re truly the taste of love and tradition.
Why This Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
I’m so excited to share this sugar cookies with royal icing recipe with you because it’s the same one my grandma used, with a few modern tweaks to make it even more amazing. Trust me, once you try these cookies, they’ll become a yearly tradition in your household too. The secret is in the perfect balance of buttery, vanilla-scented dough and silky smooth royal icing that hardens to a shiny finish.
The Secret Behind Perfect Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
There are a few tricks that set this sugar cookies with royal icing recipe apart. First, I use a combination of butter and cream cheese in the dough, which gives it an unbelievably tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The cream cheese also helps the cookies hold their shape beautifully, even when cut into intricate designs. And the royal icing? It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, but the technique is key to getting that gorgeous glossy look.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted butter – This provides the rich, buttery flavor.
- Cream cheese – For an extra tender, sturdy cookie dough.
- Granulated sugar – To sweeten the cookies.
- Egg – Binds the dough together.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the delicious vanilla notes.
- All-purpose flour – The base of the cookie dough.
- Powdered sugar – For the silky smooth royal icing.
- Meringue powder – Helps the icing harden to a shiny finish.
- Water – Thins out the icing to the perfect consistency.
- Food coloring (optional) – For decorating the cookies.
Step-by-Step Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Instructions
Preparing Your Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
This sugar cookies with royal icing recipe takes a bit of time and effort, but trust me, it’s 100% worth it. You’ll need to plan for about 2-3 hours of total prep and baking time. Make sure to have a rolling pin, cookie cutters, and a stand mixer or hand mixer on hand.
1- In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy. Add in the sugar and beat again until well combined.
2- Beat in the egg and vanilla until incorporated. Then gradually mix in the flour until a soft dough forms.
3- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and cut into desired shapes.
5- Carefully transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges just start to turn golden brown.
6- Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating with the royal icing.
Pro Tips for Success
The key to perfect sugar cookies with royal icing is to chill the dough thoroughly before rolling and baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape beautifully. Also, be very gentle when transferring the delicate dough – you don’t want them to lose their shape. And when it comes to the royal icing, go slowly and add the water a little at a time until you reach the right consistency. Rushing can lead to a runny icing that won’t dry properly.
Serving and Storing Your Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
Perfect Pairings for Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
These sugar cookies with royal icing are the ultimate holiday treat, perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy nights by the fire. Serve them alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or apple cider for the perfect festive pairing. They also make a lovely homemade gift when packaged up nicely.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
The great thing about sugar cookies with royal icing is that they keep very well. Once the icing has fully hardened, you can stack the cookies in an airtight container and they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. You can even make the dough and icing in advance. The dough will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, and the icing can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
Creative Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Variations
The fun part about this sugar cookies with royal icing recipe is that you can get really creative with the decorations. Try making them in different holiday shapes like trees, snowflakes, or reindeer. You can also experiment with different icing colors and decorative techniques like flooding, piping, or adding sprinkles. For a fun twist, swap out the vanilla extract for other flavors like almond, lemon, or peppermint.
Making Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Diet-Friendly
To make these sugar cookies with royal icing gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour. For dairy-free or vegan versions, use vegan butter or coconut oil in place of the butter and dairy-free cream cheese. The royal icing can be made with aquafaba (chickpea liquid) instead of egg whites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I substitute margarine or shortening for the butter?
A: I don’t recommend using margarine or shortening in this sugar cookies with royal icing recipe. The butter is crucial for getting that rich, tender texture and classic flavor.
Q: How long do the cookies need to chill before baking?
A: The dough needs to chill for at least 1 hour, but you can also make it up to 5 days in advance and chill it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Q: Can I freeze the baked and decorated sugar cookies?
A: Absolutely! The cookies will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just be sure the royal icing is completely hardened before stacking and freezing.
Q: How do I get the royal icing to a smooth, spreadable consistency?
A: Add the water to the icing a tablespoon at a time, mixing well between additions, until you reach the perfect flowing but not runny texture.
Q: Why did my cookies spread too much while baking?
A: Overbaking or not chilling the dough long enough can cause the cookies to lose their shape. Make sure to follow the recipe instructions carefully.
Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
Indulge in the rich, buttery goodness of these homemade Sugar Cookies with a creamy Royal Icing topping. These classic treats are perfect for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to everyday desserts.
Ingredients
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
– 3 tablespoons milk
– 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. – Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. – In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. – Beat in the egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until combined.
5. – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. – Roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
7. – Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place on the prepared baking sheets.
8. – Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
9. – Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. – In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, corn syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla until smooth.
11. – Spread or pipe the royal icing onto the cooled cookies.
12. – Let the iced cookies sit at room temperature until the icing has set, about 30 minutes.
Notes
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. The royal icing may need to be thinned with a bit of additional milk if it becomes too thick over time.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
I hope this sugar cookies with royal icing recipe brings you as much joy and nostalgia as it does for me. Baking and decorating these cookies has been a beloved holiday tradition in my family for generations, and I know they’ll quickly become a staple in your home too. So gather your loved ones, put on some festive music, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime. Happy baking!
