Soft, chewy, and adorned with vibrant colors, sugar cookies hold a special place in the hearts of many. These Soft Sugar Cookies with Professional Royal Icing are not just your average sweet treat; they are a delightful canvas for creativity, tender and moist, perfect for every occasion. Picture a sweet aroma wafting through your kitchen as they bake. With their soft texture and sweet flavor, each cookie melts in your mouth, making them a joy to share with family and friends.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies with Professional Royal Icing
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Soft Sugar Cookies with Professional Royal Icing

Soft Sugar Cookies with Professional Royal Icing

I vividly remember the first time I baked these cookies for a holiday gathering. The kitchen was filled with laughter, a pinch of flour here and there, and the children eager to help decorate. The icing glistened like little jewels, bringing smiles all around. These cookies have a way of bringing people together and creating memories. Whether you’re decorating them for Christmas, birthdays, or just a cozy weekend at home, you’ll find that these Soft Sugar Cookies with Professional Royal Icing are easy enough for novice bakers yet impressive enough for any gathering. It’s your turn to spread the joy and try making your own!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Ready in just over two hours, these cookies come together easily.
Irresistible Flavor: With a mix of buttery softness and sweet notes, they are a treat for the taste buds.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The glossy royal icing makes them both fun and impressive for any event.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for celebrations, casual snacking, or holiday gifting.
Diet-Friendly Options: Substitutions can be made to cater to dietary preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (65-67ºF): This gives the cookies a rich, creamy base. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming.
1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps with their tender texture.
1 large egg, room temperature: Offers moisture and binds the ingredients. Room temperature eggs integrate better into the batter.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Add warmth and richness to the flavor profile.
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of these cookies, all-purpose flour provides structure. For gluten-free options, substitute with a 1:1 baking blend.
1 teaspoon baking powder: Leavens the cookies for a fluffy texture without spreading too much.
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
4 cups powdered sugar (icing): Essential for the royal icing, providing that sweet finishing touch.
3 tablespoons meringue powder: Gives the royal icing stability and allows it to dry hard.
9 tablespoons warm water (100-110°F): Rehydrates the meringue powder, ensuring a smooth consistency for the icing.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (icing): Adds a lovely depth to the icing flavor.

How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies with Professional Royal Icing

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar on medium-low speed for about 2 minutes. You’re looking for a light and fluffy mixture, perfect for cookies!

Mix in Egg and Vanilla: Add 1 large room temperature egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mix. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix for 20-30 seconds until everything is well combined.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients, pulsing the mixer until the dough comes together. It should be soft and slightly sticky.

Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two halves, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1-3 hours. Chilling allows the dough to firm up, making it easier to roll.

Preheat the Oven: About 15 minutes before you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350ºF and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use flour on your rolling pin to prevent sticking.

Cut Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut desired shapes and transfer them to the baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.

Bake the Cookies: Bake the sugar cookies for 10-11 minutes. They should look set, with a dry surface but not browned. Keep an eye on them for those last couple of minutes!

Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare Royal Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine 4 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons meringue powder, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Slowly add 9 tablespoons warm water and mix on low for about 7 minutes. Increase to medium-low and beat for another 2-3 minutes until the icing is glossy and reaches stiff peaks.

Adjust Icing Consistency: If needed, adjust your icing’s consistency for decorating. Add a tiny bit of water to create a flood icing for filling in shapes or more powdered sugar to thicken it for borders.

Decorate Your Cookies: Use piping bags fitted with different tips to decorate the cookies once they’ve cooled completely. Let the cookies dry for 6-8 hours to ensure the icing is fully set before storing.

Storing & Reheating

Store your decorated cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week. If you need to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for about two weeks. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer, ensuring they don’t stick together. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. To refresh them, simply let the cookies thaw at room temperature—there’s no need to reheat, as they taste best enjoyed fresh!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, as melted butter will lead to overly flat cookies.
Chilling the dough is essential for achieving perfectly shaped cookies; don’t skip this step!
If your dough is too sticky after mixing, don’t hesitate to add a little extra flour to help.
Be creative with decorations—using edible glitter or sprinkles can add a festive touch!
If your royal icing isn’t setting, you might need to beat it a little longer. Smoothness is key!

There’s something truly special about baking cookies that brings joy to both the baker and those who enjoy them. These Soft Sugar Cookies with Professional Royal Icing are a testament to that experience, blending sweetness and creativity. You can mix and match designs, flavors, and even colors to truly make them your own. So don’t hold back—dive into this simple yet delightful recipe and spread happiness.

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze sugar cookies after baking?

Absolutely! To freeze sugar cookies, allow them to cool completely, then store them in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag. You can freeze them for up to three months. Just ensure they don’t stick together before sealing!

How do I know when my cookies are done baking?

Look for the surface of the cookies to look dry and set but not browned. They should feel soft to the touch but not doughy. A little cooling will firm them up perfectly.

Can I use other flavors in the icing?

Yes, feel free to experiment with flavors! Almond extract or citrus zest can add a lovely twist to your royal icing. Just remember to balance the liquid content when adjusting.

What should I do if my icing is too thick?

If your royal icing is too thick for spreading or piping, gradually add small amounts of warm water, stirring until you reach the desired consistency. The ideal icing should flow smoothly but hold its shape when piped.

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Soft Sugar Cookies with Professional Royal Icing

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 90 minutes
Cook Time: 100 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

Enjoy the delightful taste of soft sugar cookies topped with professional royal icing. This recipe combines simple ingredients for a mouthwatering treat perfect for any occasion. You’ll love how easy it is to create these delicious cookies at home, making them ideal for celebrations or just a sweet snack.

Ingredients

Scale

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (65-67Âºf)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups powdered sugar (icing)
3 tablespoons meringue powder (icing)
9 tablespoons warm water (100-110Â°f)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (icing)

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Instructions

Cream softened butter and sugar on medium-low for 2 minutes.
Add egg and vanilla; mix on medium-high for 20-30 seconds.
Sift dry ingredients and add to mixer; pulse until dough just comes together.
Divide dough, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1-3 hours.
Preheat oven to 350ºF and line sheets with parchment.
Roll dough to 1/4″ thickness on a lightly floured surface.
Cut shapes and place 1″ apart on baking sheets.
Bake for 10-11 minutes (for 3″ cookies) until surface is dry.
Cool on sheet for 5 minutes, then move to wire rack.
Whisk icing ingredients on low for 7 minutes, then medium-low for 2-3 minutes.
Adjust consistency for border and flood icing with water.
Decorate cookies and let dry for 6-8 hours.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature eggs.
If the icing is too thick, add more water gradually for desired consistency.
Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating.