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Perfect Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe with Glossy Royal Icing

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A nostalgic recipe for soft, tender sugar cookies topped with smooth, glossy royal icing that captures the magic of bakery-style treats. Easy to make with simple ingredients and perfect for festive occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 3/4 cups (345g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5–6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Optional: gel food coloring

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add egg and vanilla: beat in egg and vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Incorporate dry ingredients and milk: gradually add flour mixture alternately with milk, mixing just until combined; dough should be soft but not sticky.
  5. Chill the dough: shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Roll and cut: roll chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness, cut shapes with cookie cutters, and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden but centers remain soft.
  9. Cool completely on a cooling rack before icing.
  10. Prepare royal icing: combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and lemon juice; add warm water and beat until glossy and thick, adjusting water for flood consistency.
  11. Ice the cookies: outline cookies with icing, then flood centers; tap gently to remove air bubbles and add decorations if desired.
  12. Dry: let decorated cookies dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Notes

Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and ensure soft cookies. Watch baking time closely to avoid overbaking. Use meringue powder for stable, glossy royal icing. Practice piping on parchment paper if new to decorating. Store iced cookies in airtight containers with parchment between layers to maintain softness. Freeze un-iced cookies for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: soft sugar cookies, royal icing, glossy icing, holiday cookies, easy sugar cookies, cookie decorating, baking

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/perfect-soft-sugar-cookies-recipe-with-glossy-royal-icing-easy-step-by-step-guide/