decorated sugar cookies

Decorated sugar cookies are a beautiful (and delicious!) way to celebrate holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion. Below is a classic recipe that gives you buttery, soft-yet-sturdy cookies perfect for decorating with royal icing, glaze, or buttercream.

🍪✨ Decorated Sugar Cookies

📋 Sugar Cookie Dough (No Spread!)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp almond extract (optional but gives bakery-style flavor)

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

🔧 Instructions

✅ 1. Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 min).

2. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix well.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

   Dough should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, add 1 tbsp flour at a time.

✅ 2. Chill the Dough

• Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, and wrap in plastic.

• Chill for at least 1 hour (or overnight).

✅ 3. Roll & Cut

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Roll out dough to about ¼ inch thick on a lightly floured surface.

3. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters.

4. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.

✅ 4. Bake

• Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just barely golden.

• Let cool completely before decorating.

🎨 Royal Icing for Decorating

Ingredients:

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 3 tbsp meringue powder

• 5–6 tbsp warm water

• Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl or mixer, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder.

2. Add water a little at a time and beat on medium speed for 5–7 minutes, until stiff peaks form.

3. Divide and color as needed.

4. Thin with a few drops of water for outlining and flooding:

   • Thicker icing (to outline)

   • Thinner icing (to flood inside the outline)

🧠 Use piping bags or squeeze bottles for precise control.

🧁 Tips for Beautiful Decorated Cookies

• Let base icing dry for at least 6–8 hours before adding detail layers.

• Use gel food coloring (not liquid) to avoid thinning the icing.

• Use a toothpick to pop air bubbles or help fill small gaps.

• Store in an airtight container — decorated cookies last up to 1 week at room temp or can be frozen for months.

Would you like theme ideas (Halloween, Christmas, birthdays)? Or instructions for buttercream-decorated cookies instead?