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Perfect Apple-Shaped Sugar Cookies Easy Homemade Teacher Gift Recipe

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These apple-shaped sugar cookies are buttery, sweet, and nostalgic, perfect for teacher gifts. They feature a tender center with crisp edges and smooth royal icing decorated like apples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 4 cups (480 grams) powdered sugar, sifted (for royal icing)
  • 2 large egg whites or equivalent pasteurized egg white powder (for royal icing)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for royal icing)
  • 2–4 tablespoons water (for royal icing, as needed)
  • Gel food coloring (red, green, brown)
  • Optional: edible shimmer dust or sprinkles
  • Optional: leaf-shaped cookie cutters

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
  4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Use an apple-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer to baking sheets.
  8. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
  9. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. For royal icing, beat egg whites until frothy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, mixing until stiff peaks form.
  11. Thin icing with water, one tablespoon at a time, until flood consistency is reached.
  12. Divide icing into bowls and tint with gel food coloring for apples and leaves.
  13. Use piping bags to outline each apple cookie with red icing, flood the inside, and let dry for 15 minutes.
  14. Pipe green leaves and brown stems once base layer sets. Add details like veins or highlights.
  15. Allow decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight until icing hardens.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading. Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning icing. Test bake one cookie to check oven temperature. Allow royal icing to dry overnight for best results. Clean piping tips often to avoid clogging. For gluten-free or vegan adaptations, substitute ingredients accordingly but note texture differences.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple shaped sugar cookies, teacher gift cookies, royal icing cookies, homemade sugar cookies, easy sugar cookies, back to school cookies

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