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Classic Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Soft, buttery cut-out sugar cookies topped with smooth royal icing—perfect for decorating, gifting, and holiday cookie fun.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
Royal Icing:
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp meringue powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 4 –6 tbsp water
  • Gel food coloring optional

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutters
  • Baking sheets
  • Piping bags

Method
 

  1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  2. Add egg and vanilla; mix until smooth.
  3. Add flour, baking powder, salt; mix into dough.
  4. Roll to ¼ inch; cut shapes.
  5. Chill 15 minutes.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes. cool fully.
  7. Mix icing ingredients to desired consistency.
  8. Decorate cooled cookies.

Notes

Use gluten-free flour for GF version. Add lemon or almond extract for flavor twists. Decorated cookies store 4–5 days or freeze up to 2 months.