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Perfect Diploma Sugar Cookies Recipe Easy Homemade Elegant Royal Icing Tutorial

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These diploma sugar cookies feature a crisp yet tender texture with smooth, glossy royal icing, perfect for celebrations like graduations. The recipe balances simplicity and elegance, making it approachable for busy bakers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder or pasteurized egg whites
  • 5–6 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
  • ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice or vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, cream together softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Beat in the large egg and pure vanilla extract until combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until dough forms and pulls away from the sides.
  5. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Lightly flour your surface and rolling pin. Roll dough to about ¼-inch (6mm) thickness.
  8. Cut out diploma shapes using cookie cutters or a knife. Transfer cookies gently to baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just golden and cookies feel set but still soft to the touch.
  10. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating, about 15 minutes.
  11. Prepare royal icing by beating powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water (or pasteurized egg whites) on medium-high until stiff peaks form, about 5-7 minutes. Add lemon juice or vanilla extract for flavor. Adjust water to reach piping consistency.
  12. Divide icing into small bowls if using multiple colors. Add gel food coloring as desired and mix well. Transfer to piping bags fitted with small round tips.
  13. Decorate cookies by outlining the diploma shape and flooding the center with thinner icing. Let dry for about 30 minutes.
  14. Pipe diploma details such as borders, ribbons, and text. Use toothpicks to smooth edges or fix small mistakes.
  15. Allow icing to dry completely for at least 2 hours before stacking or packaging.

Notes

Keep dough cool to prevent spreading. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Avoid overmixing dough to keep cookies tender. Let royal icing dry fully to prevent smudges and cracking. Store decorated cookies in airtight containers with parchment paper between layers. Dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 1 month. Use pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder for safety.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, diploma cookies, graduation cookies, easy sugar cookies, homemade cookies, celebration treats

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/perfect-diploma-sugar-cookies-recipe-easy-homemade-elegant-royal-icing-tutorial/