Easy Decorated Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing: A Step-by-Step Recipe

Ingredients

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour

• 220 g (7.8 oz) butter or margarine, softened

• 1 cup (200 g) sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

2. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix well.

3. Add the flour and salt, then mix briefly until a dough forms.

4. Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to a thickness of 3–5 mm (⅛–¼ inch).

5. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. If the dough becomes too soft, place it in the freezer for 15 minutes.

6. Bake at 170°C (340°F) for about 13 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden. Baking times may vary depending on your oven.

7. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely.

Royal Icing for Decorating

Ingredients

• 1 egg white

• 1 cup powdered sugar (plus more as needed)

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Place the egg white in a small bowl and add the vanilla extract and lemon juice.

2. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Start with 1 cup, then add one more teaspoon at a time until the icing reaches a piping consistency. To test it, pipe a thin line onto a plate — it should hold its shape without spreading too much.

3. Divide the icing into separate bowls and add a small amount of food coloring to each one, mixing well.

4. Transfer the icing into piping bags. (Sandwich bags work perfectly well.) To make filling easier, place the bag inside a cup and fold the edges over the rim. Fill the bag, tie it closed, and cut a very small hole in one corner.

5. Pipe an outline around each cookie (the contour), then fill the inside using back-and-forth lines. Use a toothpick to spread the icing and fill any gaps.

6. Let the icing set partially for 15–20 minutes.

7. Draw, decorate, and get creative with any design you like!

8. Allow the cookies to dry completely for several hours.

9. Enjoy your beautiful homemade cookies!