Floral Butter Cookies with Royal Icing
Delightful and elegant butter cookies adorned with royal icing, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, fine and light
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for delicate sweetness
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to creamy perfection
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract fragrant and warm
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract optional, for a nutty note
- 1/4 teaspoon salt enhanced flavor
For the royal icing
- 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar for icing, to make it sweet and smooth
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice brightening the taste
- Gel food colors (pink, purple, green, yellow) for vibrant decorations
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Baking
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Using floral cookie cutters, cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool on a wire rack.
Icing
- Prepare the royal icing by beating the egg whites until stiff peaks form and gradually adding the powdered sugar and lemon juice.
- If using meringue powder, combine it with water as per package instructions before mixing in powdered sugar and lemon juice.
- Divide the icing into bowls and tint with gel food colors.
- Once cookies are completely cool, use a piping bag or fine-tipped tool to decorate.
Notes
To elevate the baking experience, let the butter come to room temperature before mixing. Use high-quality extracts for better flavor. Roll out dough on a floured surface to prevent sticking and chill the dough again if too soft.