Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

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

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until dough forms.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

1. Divide dough into two discs.
2. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 3: Roll and Cut

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
3. Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheets lined with parchment.

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just set (not browned).
2. Cool completely on wire racks.

Step 5: Prepare Royal Icing

1. In a bowl, mix powdered sugar and meringue powder.
2. Add water gradually until smooth and glossy.
3. Mix in extract and food coloring as desired.
4. Adjust consistency for outlining (thicker) or flooding (thinner).

Step 6: Decorate

1. Outline cookies with thick icing.
2. Flood with thinner icing.
3. 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

1. Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add lemon zest and juice
2. Almond Flavor: Use almond extract in cookies or icing
3. Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Replace some flour with cocoa powder
4. Spiced Cookies: Add cinnamon or nutmeg
5. 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.