Floral Butter Cookies with Royal Icing
Delightful cookies adorned with royal icing, perfect for celebrations and gatherings.
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour Provides a tender base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Brings richness and creaminess
- 1 cup sugar Caramelizes at the edges for a golden touch
- 1 large egg Adds depth of flavor
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For aromatic flavor
- 0.5 teaspoon almond extract Introduces a subtle elegance
- 0.25 teaspoon salt Balances sweetness
For the royal icing
- 1 egg white (or 2 tablespoons of meringue powder) Building block for the icing
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar For sweetening the icing
- 0.5 teaspoon lemon juice Brightens the flavor
- food coloring For decorating
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the egg and both extracts, mixing well until incorporated.
- Sift in the flour and salt, folding them into the mixture until a dough forms.
- On a floured surface, roll out your dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use floral-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
Baking
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until edges turn golden.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Royal Icing
- Whisk the egg white (or meringue powder) with lemon juice until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, whisking until stiff peaks form.
- Divide the icing into bowls and add food coloring as desired.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with royal icing and allow to set.
Notes
Ensure butter is at room temperature for easy creaming. Chill the dough if it becomes too soft. Patience is key to letting the icing set properly.