Description
These heart-shaped sugar cookies with royal icing are perfect for any festive occasion. The cookies are buttery and tender, and the royal icing provides a beautiful, smooth finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Royal Icing:
- 4 ounces (about 1 cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder
- 2–3 tablespoons warm water
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out heart shapes using a cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the royal icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder.
- Gradually add warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the icing reaches a thick, pipeable consistency.
- If desired, divide icing into separate bowls and add food coloring.
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing using a piping bag or small spatula.
- Allow icing to set completely (several hours or overnight) before storing.
Notes
- For best results, make sure your butter is at room temperature.
- Do not overmix the cookie dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading during baking.
- If your royal icing becomes too thick, add a few drops of water; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg