How to Make Easy Royal Icing Topped Sugar Cookies

• Lynsey Macdonald

Cookies really are the perfect treat, aren't they? Perfecting your cookie recipe is a basic essential when it comes to your baking journey. And with a few simple shape cutters, you can create a batch for any occasion! Sarah from @by.sarahteresa (formerly bake.works!) has shared her recipe for sugar cookies with us - how cute are they, cut into these iconic fruit shapes!

Topped off with colourful royal icing, they are sure to be the hit of any treat table. So let's explore how to make and decorate them for your next special occasion!

Sugar Cookies Recipe - what you need:

For the Sugar Cookies you'll need:

  • 100g unsalted butter, softened
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 30g cornflour
  • 300g plain flour

And for the Royal Icing you'll need:

Instructions:

STEP ONE: Beat your eggs, sugar and vanilla.

Beat the butter and sugar with an electric whisk for 4 mins until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla.

STEP TWO: Add your dry ingredients.

Whisk in the cornflour and plain flour until the mixture comes together into a dough.

STEP THREE: Roll dough to 6mm thickness and chill.

Put the dough between two pieces of baking parchment, and roll out to a 6mm thickness using a rolling pin. Chill for 30 mins.

STEP FOUR: Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.

STEP FIVE: Cut out your shapes.

Peel the top layer of parchment off the dough and stamp out circles using a 6cm round cutter (or the shape of your choice). Re-roll any offcuts and continue stamping out rounds until all the dough is used.

STEP SIX: Bake for 7-10mins.

Transfer the cookies to a second large baking sheet lined with baking parchment, spacing them 2cm apart (you may need two sheets). Bake for 7-10 mins.

STEP SEVEN: Cool before decorating.

Leave to cool on the sheet for 15 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Will keep in an airtight container for one week.

Then, to make your flavoured Royal Icing...

  1. Measure out your icing sugar.
  2. Whisk the egg whites until foamy.
  3. Add the icing sugar mix and fold in by hand until just combined.
  4. Continue to whisk until you form stiff peaks.
  5. Transfer the Royal Icing mix into separate bowls (if you are making more than one colour!) and colour with a few drops of Colour Mill Aqua Blend.
  6. If you would like thinner Royal Icing, simply add a few drops of water at a time and mix. Repeat until you achieve the desired consistency.
  7. Transfer your Royal Icing into piping bags and decorate your sugar cookies!

OVER TO YOU!

Okay, tough question - which is your favourite?! It's too close to call for us! Thanks again to Sarah for sharing this sugar cookies how to guide with us.

Don't forget - if you want to become #CakeDecFamous, make sure we see your photos! We love scrolling through them. Share them with us using the hashtag, and tagging us at @the_cake_decorating_co on Instagram!

Looking for more inspo?!

The Classic Cupcake Recipe Every Baker Needs!

Your New Favourite Fondant Cookie Recipe!

An Easy Flavoured Meringues Recipe

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