Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house? I remember the delight of baking sugar cookies with my grandmother during the holidays; it was a sweet tradition that filled our kitchen with laughter, flour-dusted countertops, and the promise of delicious treats. If you’re looking to recreate that warm feeling and maybe share a homemade batch of your own, you’re in for a treat! Today, I’m thrilled to share my recipe for Crispy Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing. These cookies are the perfect blend of crisp and softness, and they take me right back to those golden moments spent baking alongside her. Let’s head to the kitchen together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Crisp: These cookies have just the right amount of crunch, with a delicate texture that melts in your mouth.
• Customizable: With royal icing, you can unleash your creativity and personalize the decorations for any occasion.
• Fun to Make: Whether you’re baking with kids or friends, decorating sugar cookies is a joyfully messy adventure.
• Sweet Memories: This recipe is a heartwarming way to create your own family tradition.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own crispy sugar cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (make sure it’s at room temperature for easier mixing!)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure vanilla makes a difference!)
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional but delicious!)
• For Royal Icing: 3 egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder, 4 cups powdered sugar, and a few tablespoons of water. You’ll want it to be the consistency of toothpaste.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s get those cookies baking! Follow these steps for the perfect crispy sugar cookies.

1. Prep Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside; we’ll get to it shortly!
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes with an electric mixer. Your kitchen will start smelling like sweet heaven!
4. Add the Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts. Make sure everything is well combined.
5. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this is vital for keeping your cookies nice and light!
6. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two disks, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
7. Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about ¼ inch thick. Use cookie cutters to create your favorite shapes.
8. Place on Baking Sheet: Transfer the cut cookies to your prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each one.
9. Bake: Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Keep an eye on them; you want them to be crisp but not overbaked!
10. Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They’ll crisp up as they cool!

Pro Tips & Variations

Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s talk about some fun ways to mix it up:

• Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts! Try adding lemon or orange zest to give your cookies a citrusy twist.
• Decoration Time: Use food coloring in your royal icing for a splash of color. Festive sprinkles or edible glitter can also add a delightful touch!
• Spice Things Up: Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a cozy seasonal flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These crispy sugar cookies are perfect on their own, but I love to serve them at gatherings with a cup of hot tea or coffee. Imagine sitting with friends, sharing stories and homemade treats—it’s such a comforting vibe! You can also arrange them beautifully on a platter for a party or give them as sweet gifts in decorative tins. Trust me, they will disappear fast!

Storage Tips

To keep your cookies fresh and crispy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to a week. If you want to make them ahead, the baked cookies freeze wonderfully! Just layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag, and they’ll last for about three months. When you’re ready to eat, let them thaw at room temperature. If you happen to have leftovers (ha!), you can also freeze the royal icing—just store it in an airtight container. To revive it, just give it a good stir before using it again!

FAQs

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While margarine can work in a pinch, using real butter gives these cookies the rich flavor and perfect texture that makes them so irresistible. Trust me—go for the butter!

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for the edges of the cookies to turn a light golden color. The center may still look a bit soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool. If you’re in doubt, it’s better to underbake slightly than overbake.

What can I use if I don’t have egg whites for the royal icing?

No worries! You can substitute with meringue powder mixed with water. This is a great option if you’re looking for a cookie that’s safe for everyone, especially those with egg allergies.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Absolutely! Just keep in mind that it may change the texture, making the cookies a bit denser. You might consider mixing some all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a balanced outcome.

Conclusion

There you have it! Your very own batch of crispy sugar cookies with royal icing awaits, ready to impress and create lasting memories. I hope you get to bake these with loved ones and enjoy every delicious bite just like I do. I’d love to hear about your baking adventures or how your cookies turned out—feel free to drop a comment below! Happy baking, friends!

Irresistible Crispy Sugar Cookies w Royal Icing Recipe

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• Author: mery
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x

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Description

Bake perfect crispy sugar cookies topped with royal icing Discover tips for achieving that delightful crunch and stunning finish

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Ingredients

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2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

½ teaspoon of salt

1 cup of unsalted butter, softened

1 ½ cups of granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 teaspoon of almond extract (optional)

For Royal Icing: 3 egg whites or 4 tablespoons of meringue powder, 4 cups of powdered sugar, a few tablespoons of water

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Instructions

Prep Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.

Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 to 4 minutes).

Add the Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts until well combined.

Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.

Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about ¼ inch thick and use cookie cutters to create shapes.

Place on Baking Sheet: Transfer the cut cookies to prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each.

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.

Cool Completely: Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

A delightful recipe for crispy sugar cookies topped with royal icing, perfect for creating sweet memories with loved ones.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24 cookies
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8g
• Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g