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Perfect Apple Shaped Sugar Cookies Easy Royal Icing Tutorial for Beginners

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These charming apple-shaped sugar cookies feature a tender buttery crumb and smooth, glossy royal icing. Perfect for seasonal celebrations and beginner bakers looking for a fun, approachable treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp whole milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites (or 4 tbsp meringue powder mixed with 6 tbsp water)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Gel food coloring: red, green, and brown (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups sifted flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in 1 large egg, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp milk until fully combined.
  4. Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture on low speed, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Chill Dough: Form dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  6. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use an apple-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Transfer to baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  8. Bake: Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges are set and just starting to turn golden.
  9. Cool Completely: Move cookies to wire racks and cool fully before decorating.
  10. Prepare Royal Icing: In a clean bowl, beat 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 egg whites, 1 tsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until stiff peaks form (about 5-7 minutes). Divide into smaller bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
  11. Decorate: Transfer icing to piping bags. Outline each apple cookie with red icing, then flood the center with thinner consistency icing. Use green icing to pipe leaves and brown for stems. Let dry completely, ideally overnight.

Notes

If icing is too thick to flood, add a few drops of water slowly. Keep unused icing covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying. Chill dough for at least 1 hour or up to overnight for best results. Use meringue powder instead of raw egg whites for safer royal icing. Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating cookies. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple shaped sugar cookies, royal icing, beginner cookie recipe, easy sugar cookies, holiday cookies, apple cookies, decorated cookies

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/perfect-apple-shaped-sugar-cookies-easy-royal-icing-tutorial-for-beginners/