Valentine’s Day Royal Icing Cookies
Delightful heart-shaped cookies adorned with royal icing, perfect for expressing love on Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to a creamy perfection
- 1 cup granulated sugar adding just the right amount of sweetness
- 1 large egg binding the flavors together
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract infusing warmth and aroma
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour creating the perfect dough texture
- 1 teaspoon baking powder providing that delightful rise
- 0.25 teaspoon salt enhancing the overall flavor
For the Royal Icing
- 3 large egg whites or 4 oz meringue powder
- 4 cups powdered sugar sweetening our icing dream
- 0.5 teaspoon lemon juice or water, adding tanginess to the icing
- Red, pink, and white gel food coloring for coloring the icing
- Heart-shaped sprinkles (optional) for a festive touch
- Edible glitter (optional) for that extra sparkle
Instructions
Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy and fluffy.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Using heart-shaped cookie cutters, cut out the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, then let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the Royal Icing and Decorate
- Beat the egg whites (or meringue powder) with powdered sugar and lemon juice (or water) until stiff peaks form.
- Divide the icing into bowls and color each with gel food coloring.
- Once the cookies are cool, use a piping bag or spoon to decorate them with icing and add sprinkles and edible glitter.
- Let the royal icing dry completely before serving or packaging.
Notes
Chill the dough for perfectly shaped cookies. Experiment with flavors and colors for unique designs. Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues that won’t alter the icing’s consistency.