Classic, elegant, and endlessly customizable, Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are a timeless treat loved across generations. These cookies are known for their buttery flavor, soft yet crisp texture, and smooth, beautifully decorated icing that hardens to a glossy finish. Whether shaped into festive holiday designs, birthday-themed cutouts, or simple circles, sugar cookies with royal icing are as much a creative canvas as they are a delicious dessert.
This recipe brings together a dependable sugar cookie dough that holds its shape while baking and a traditional royal icing that’s perfect for outlining, flooding, and decorating. From cozy home baking to special celebrations, these cookies are always a showstopper—pretty enough for gifting and tasty enough to disappear fast.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it:
- Produces perfectly shaped cookies every time
- Has a rich, buttery flavor without being overly sweet
- Pairs beautifully with smooth, professional-looking royal icing
- Is fun to make with family and kids
- Works for any occasion or season
It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a tradition year after year.
Why This Is a Must-Try Dish
- A classic baking recipe every home baker should master
- Ideal for holidays, parties, and gifting
- Customizable in shape, color, and flavor
- Makes bakery-style decorated cookies at home
- Loved by kids and adults alike
If you enjoy baking and decorating, this recipe is a must-try.
Preparation Time, Cooking Time & Servings
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Chilling Time: 1 hour
- Cooking Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
- Servings: 24–30 cookies
Calories: ~150–170 calories per cookie (approx.)
Course & Cuisine
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American / European
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Royal Icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5–6 tablespoons warm water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Gel food coloring (optional)
Cooking Directions
- Prepare and chill cookie dough
- Roll, cut, and bake cookies
- Mix royal icing
- Decorate and let icing set
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until dough forms.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Divide dough into two discs.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Step 3: Roll and Cut
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheets lined with parchment.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just set (not browned).
- Cool completely on wire racks.
Step 5: Prepare Royal Icing
- In a bowl, mix powdered sugar and meringue powder.
- Add water gradually until smooth and glossy.
- Mix in extract and food coloring as desired.
- Adjust consistency for outlining (thicker) or flooding (thinner).
Step 6: Decorate
- Outline cookies with thick icing.
- Flood with thinner icing.
- Allow icing to dry completely (4–6 hours or overnight).
How to Serve
- Serve at room temperature
- Arrange on dessert platters
- Package as edible gifts
- Use as party favors or festive table décor
Recipe Tips
- Chill dough to prevent spreading
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing colors
- Keep unused icing covered to prevent drying
- Decorate cookies only after they are fully cooled
Variations
- Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add lemon zest and juice
- Almond Flavor: Use almond extract in cookies or icing
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Replace some flour with cocoa powder
- Spiced Cookies: Add cinnamon or nutmeg
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Freezing and Storage
Storage
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5–7 days
Freezing
- Freeze undecorated baked cookies for up to 2 months
- Cookie dough can be frozen for 3 months
- Thaw before baking or decorating
Special Equipment Needed
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Piping bags and tips
Conclusion
Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are more than just cookies—they’re a joyful baking experience and a creative expression. With their buttery flavor, perfect texture, and stunning decorations, these cookies are ideal for celebrations, gifting, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea. Once you master this recipe, you’ll have a go-to dessert that’s beautiful, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Description
Classic, elegant, and endlessly customizable, Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are a timeless treat loved across generations. These cookies are known for their buttery flavor, soft yet crisp texture, and smooth, beautifully decorated icing that hardens to a glossy finish. Whether shaped into festive holiday designs, birthday-themed cutouts, or simple circles, sugar cookies with royal icing are as much a creative canvas as they are a delicious dessert.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies
For the Royal Icing
Instructions
-
Make the Cookie Dough : In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until dough forms.
-
Chill the Dough : Divide dough into two discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
-
Roll and Cut : Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheets lined with parchment.
-
Bake : Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just set (not browned). Cool completely on wire racks.
-
Prepare Royal Icing : In a bowl, mix powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add water gradually until smooth and glossy. Mix in extract and food coloring as desired. Adjust consistency for outlining (thicker) or flooding (thinner).
-
Decorate : Outline cookies with thick icing. Flood with thinner icing. Allow icing to dry completely (4–6 hours or overnight).
