Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Delightful sugar cookies decorated with royal icing, perfect for Valentine's Day celebrations or gifting.
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Make sure your butter is softened for easier mixing.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the royal icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder Helps stabilize the icing.
- 3-4 tablespoons warm water
- 1 package gel food coloring (red or pink, optional) Provides vibrant colors.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out cookies using heart-shaped cutters and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Cool on the pans for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making Royal Icing
- In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder.
- Add water, beating on low speed, then increase to high and mix for 5 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Divide and tint icing with desired gel food colors.
- Transfer icing to piping bags fitted with small round tips.
- Pipe desired designs onto cooled cookies. Allow icing to set completely before serving or storing.
Notes
Chill the dough long enough to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Don’t rush the decorating process; let the icing set fully to avoid smudging. Have fun with the shapes and colors of the icing for unique designs!