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Perfect Decorated Back-to-School Sugar Cookies

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Soft, buttery sugar cookies decorated with vibrant royal icing, perfect for back-to-school celebrations and festive occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Food coloring gels in red, yellow, green, blue

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add egg and vanilla (and almond extract if using); beat until just combined.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture on low speed until dough just comes together; add extra flour if too sticky.
  5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Roll dough on lightly floured surface to ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness; cut shapes with cookie cutters and transfer to baking sheets.
  8. Chill cut cookies on baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
  9. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges just start to turn golden; cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Prepare royal icing by whisking powdered sugar, egg whites or meringue powder mixture, and lemon juice until smooth and glossy; divide and tint with food coloring gels.
  11. Decorate cookies using piping bags with small round tips: outline with thicker icing, flood with thinner icing, allowing each color to dry slightly before adding details.
  12. Let decorated cookies dry at least 4 hours or overnight.

Notes

Chill dough before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain shape. Use meringue powder for safer royal icing. Adjust icing consistency by adding water or powdered sugar. Store decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container to prevent smudging. Let decorated cookies dry at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, decorated cookies, back-to-school, royal icing, celebration cookies, easy sugar cookies, cookie decorating

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/perfect-decorated-back-to-school-sugar-cookies-easy-step-by-step-recipe-for-celebrations/