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sugar cookies royal frosting from The Jewish Kitchen
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Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Crisp, lightly sweet sugar cookies are cut out and topped with royal icing for a perfect finish. These are delicious enough to be left un-iced and are just gorgeous when decorated for Hanukkah, Valentine's Day or any other special occasion.
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 16 minutes
Servings 36 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature do not use margarine
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
  • 4 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 3 tbsp. meringue powder
  • 1/2 tsp. lemon extract or vanilla extract
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup warm water
  • food coloring, if desired

Instructions

For the Cookies

  1. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract using an electric mixer on high high speed until light and fluffy.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until well-blended.
  3. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
  4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  5. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Do not grease cookie sheets.
  6. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Extra dough scraps can be re-rolled to make additional cookies.
  7. Place cookies 2 inches apart on cookie sheets and bake for 5-6 minutes.
  8. Allow cookies to cool completely on wire wracks before icing.

For the Royal Icing

  1. Combine the confectioner's sugar and meringue powder in a large bowl.
  2. Add water and your choice of extract and beat with electric mixer until desired consistency.
  3. Add your choice of food coloring if desired.
  4. Use icing immediately to decorate cookies or transfer to an airtight container or it will harden.