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Perfect Star-Spangled Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

star-spangled sugar cookies - featured image
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These festive sugar cookies are tender yet sturdy, decorated with crisp royal icing for a patriotic treat perfect for celebrations like the 4th of July. The recipe includes a simple royal icing tutorial using meringue powder for a safe, shiny finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 6 tablespoons warm water (approximate)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or lemon juice
  • Gel food coloring (red and blue)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Using a mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture in thirds, mixing on low speed. Add 1-2 tablespoons milk if dough feels dry. Stop mixing once dough comes together.
  5. Turn dough onto plastic wrap, flatten into a disk, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Lightly flour surface and rolling pin. Roll dough to ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Cut shapes with star-shaped cookie cutters and transfer to baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges just start to turn golden but centers remain pale. Avoid overbaking.
  9. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before icing.
  10. To prepare royal icing, combine meringue powder, powdered sugar, and warm water in a large bowl. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 7-10 minutes. Adjust water by teaspoon to reach piping consistency.
  11. Divide icing and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
  12. Fit piping bags with small round tips. Outline cookies with thicker icing, then flood centers with thinner icing. Use a toothpick to spread icing evenly and pop air bubbles.
  13. Let decorated cookies dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight for best results.

Notes

Chill dough well to get clean edges and prevent spreading. Avoid rolling dough too thin or over-chilling. Sift powdered sugar to avoid lumps in icing. Use meringue powder for safer, consistent royal icing. Let cookies cool completely before icing to prevent melting. Allow royal icing to dry overnight for best results. Store cookies in airtight containers at room temperature up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months with parchment layers. Thaw completely before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, patriotic cookies, 4th of July, star-shaped cookies, homemade cookies, festive desserts

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/perfect-star-spangled-sugar-cookies-recipe-easy-homemade-royal-icing-tutorial/