Learn how to make smooth and vibrant royal icing to decorate cookies. This recipe includes detailed instructions for making beautifully decorated cookies suitable for any occasion.
Ingredients: For Cookies:. 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened. 1 cup granulated sugar. 1 large egg. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. For Royal Icing:. 2 cups confectioners' sugar. 2 tablespoons meringue powder. 1/4 cup water. Food coloring optional. Sprinkles and edible decorations.
Instructions: Melt the butter and mix it with the sugar in a bowl until the mixture is smooth. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well mixed. Add the flour little by little and mix it in until a dough forms. For at least an hour, chill the dough after cutting it in half and making two discs out of it. Warm the oven up to 350F 175C and put parchment paper on baking sheets. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out the shapes you want and put them on the baking sheets that have been prepared. For 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. After baking, let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets. Then, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. It's time to make the royal icing. Sift the confectioners' sugar into a bowl. Mix the meringue powder and water together with a hand mixer on low speed until the mixture is smooth and shiny. If you want the icing to be thinner, add more water. If you want it to be thicker, add more confectioners' sugar. To use food coloring, separate the icing into bowls and add the colors you want. For decorating, put the icing into piping bags or squeeze bottles. Use a thicker icing to outline the cookies after they have cooled, and then wait a few minutes for it to set. Use the rest of the icing to fill in the lines, and spread it out evenly with a toothpick. While the icing is still wet, add sprinkles and other edible decorations. Let the decorated cookies dry all the way through before you serve them or put them away.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
kiley dean
