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Perfect Star-Spangled Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

star-spangled sugar cookies - featured image
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These sugar cookies feature crackly edges dusted with granulated sugar and are decorated with smooth royal icing for a festive patriotic treat. They balance a tender crumb inside with a satisfying snap and buttery vanilla flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder mixed with water
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Food coloring gels (red and blue recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups sifted all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  2. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 ½ cups granulated sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in 1 large room-temperature egg and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract until combined. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  4. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing on low speed. Pour in 2 tablespoons whole milk and mix until dough comes together but is not sticky.
  5. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut shapes and place 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  7. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges just begin to brown. Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. In a clean bowl, beat 3 cups sifted powdered sugar with 2 large egg whites (or meringue powder mix) and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Adjust consistency with water for piping.
  9. Divide icing and tint with red and blue gels. Outline cookies with stiff icing and flood inside with thinner icing. Use a toothpick or scribe tool to smooth edges and create star and stripe details.
  10. Let icing dry completely for 4-6 hours or overnight before stacking or serving.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain shape. Use pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder for safer royal icing. Let icing dry fully (4-6 hours or overnight) to avoid smudging. If dough softens while rolling, chill again for 10-15 minutes. Practice piping on parchment paper if new to decorating.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, patriotic cookies, 4th of July, star-shaped cookies, easy sugar cookies, holiday baking

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/perfect-star-spangled-sugar-cookies-recipe-easy-step-by-step-tutorial/