Description
These Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies are a festive and delicious holiday treat that will brighten up any cookie platter. The buttery sugar cookie base is topped with colorful royal icing designs resembling Christmas lights, making them perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
Scale
Sugar Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6 tablespoons warm water
- Assorted food coloring gels
- Black edible marker or black icing for string design
- Mini round or bulb-shaped piping tips
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, and mix until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until the dough comes together.
- Chill and Shape: Divide the dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Bake: Roll out the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out desired shapes and place on baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden. Cool completely.
- Make Royal Icing: Beat powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water until stiff peaks form.
- Decorate: Divide and tint icing, thinning as needed. Outline and flood cookies with base colors. Once dry, draw a black string and pipe colorful bulbs. Allow to dry completely.
Notes
- Ensure cookies are completely cool before icing.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For best results, let the royal icing dry overnight.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
