Butter Cookies with Royal Icing 🎄✨

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Introduction

Butter cookies are a holiday classic, offering a rich, buttery flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. These cookies are not only a delight to eat but also fun to decorate, making them a perfect family-friendly activity during the festive season.

The recipe combines simple ingredients to create a dough that’s easy to handle, perfect for cutting into holiday shapes. Paired with royal icing, these cookies become edible works of art.

Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, gifting them to loved ones, or enjoying them with a warm beverage, these cookies are sure to spread joy.

Decorating with royal icing allows for endless creativity, turning these cookies into a canvas for your festive imagination. Ready to bake and decorate? Let’s dive in!

Ingredients

For the Cookies

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter (room temperature)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

For the Royal Icing

  • 2 egg whites (pasteurized if possible)
  • 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar
  • Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

For the Cookies

1. Prepare the Dough:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy and smooth.
  • Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until fully combined.

2. Chill the Dough:

  • Divide the dough into two portions, shape into discs, and wrap in plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

3. Bake the Cookies:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
  • Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
  • Cool completely before decorating.

For the Royal Icing

1. Prepare the Icing:

  • In a bowl, beat egg whites with lemon juice until foamy.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until the icing is shiny and forms stiff peaks.
  • Adjust consistency with water (if too thick) or powdered sugar (if too thin).

2. Color and Decorate:

  • Divide icing into bowls and add food coloring as desired.
  • Use a piping bag or toothpick to decorate the cooled cookies.
  • Let icing dry completely before storing.

Tips for Success

  • Use pasteurized egg whites for the icing to ensure safety.
  • Allow the cookies to cool fully before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
  • Store decorated cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

What festive designs will you create on your butter cookies? Let your imagination run wild! 🎄✨

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