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Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies: 5 Best Icing Tips

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These easy soft Christmas sugar cookies feature a tender vanilla-almond dough and a safe, reliable royal icing made with meringue powder. Perfect for holiday gifting and decorating with kids.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 4 to 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  2. Add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until combined and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to the wet mixture on low speed and mix just until the flour disappears.
  4. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place on baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between them.
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just barely golden. The centers should still look soft.
  8. Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Beat meringue powder and warm water for 1 minute. Add vanilla and 1 cup of powdered sugar. Gradually add remaining sugar until stiff peaks form.
  10. Divide icing into bowls, add gel food coloring, and pipe onto completely cooled cookies. Let dry for 4-6 hours.

Notes

Do not overbake; cookies continue to cook on the hot pan. Keep dough cold to prevent spreading. For royal icing, consistency is key: thicker for outlining, thinner for flooding. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Freeze unbaked dough for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, christmas cookies, holiday baking, meringue powder, soft cookies, easy cookie recipe, gift ideas

Find it online: https://grubella.com/easy-soft-christmas-sugar-cookies-5-best-icing-tips/