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Perfect Floral Decorated Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Glossy Royal Icing Tutorial

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These perfect floral decorated sugar cookies feature a tender buttery base paired with smooth, glossy royal icing ideal for delicate piping and flooding. They are quick, easy, and perfect for any occasion, from casual tea to elegant celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons pasteurized egg whites or 2 tablespoons meringue powder with 6 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2–4 tablespoons water
  • Food coloring gels (AmeriColor or Wilton recommended)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Using a mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined; mixture may look slightly curdled.
  4. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until dough forms; avoid overmixing.
  5. Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Cut shapes with floral cookie cutters and transfer to baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges just turn golden. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  9. Make royal icing by beating powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder mixture), lemon juice, and water on medium-high for 5-7 minutes until glossy stiff peaks form. Adjust water for flooding consistency.
  10. Divide icing into bowls, add gel colors as desired. Outline cookies with small tips, flood with thinned icing, and let dry 30-45 minutes.
  11. Pipe floral details with thicker icing for dimension and texture. Allow decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight before stacking or packaging.

Notes

Beat royal icing for 5-7 minutes to achieve glossy stiff peaks. Add lemon juice to stabilize and brighten icing. Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading. Avoid overbaking to keep cookies tender. Use a toothpick to nudge icing into corners if pooling occurs. Let piped outlines crust before flooding for crisp edges. Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature layered with parchment paper. Freeze undecorated cookies for longer storage and decorate after thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, floral cookies, decorated cookies, easy sugar cookies, glossy icing, cookie decorating, spring cookies, tea party cookies

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/perfect-floral-decorated-sugar-cookies-recipe-with-easy-glossy-royal-icing-tutorial/