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96% would make again

How To Decorate Shortbread Holiday Cut-Out Cookies With Royal Icing

featured in Christmas Treats Filled With Holiday Goodness

Holiday Shortbread Cookies with Royal Icing

Betsy Carter & Marissa Buie
Tasty Team

Ingredients

for 24 cookies

Cookies

  • 3 cups all purpose flour (375 g), plus more for dusting
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 16 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
  • 1 cup sugar (200 g)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Royal Icing

  • 3 cups powdered sugar (360 g), sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, or almond extract
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • green gel food coloring
  • red gel food coloring
  • 1 tablespoon brown gel food coloring
  • blue gel food coloring
  • yellow gel food coloring

Nutrition Info

Powered by
    Calories 229
    Fat 8g
    Carbs 37g
    Fiber 0g
    Sugar 23g
    Protein 2g

Estimated values based on one serving size.

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix with a fork.
  3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer for 3-5 minutes, until the butter and sugar are fully combined, but before the mixture becomes fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to incorporate.
  4. Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined, but crumbly. Finish mixing with your hands until the dough comes together in a ball.
  5. Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Lightly flour the top of the dough and roll out to about ¼-inch thick. Use cookie cutters of your choice to punch out cookies. Place the cookie cut-outs on the prepared baking sheets.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges. Let cool completely.
  7. To make the royal icing: In a medium bowl, add the meringue powder to the powdered sugar. Whisk to combine. Add the vanilla and 4-6 tablespoons of water (depending on how runny or thick you’d like your icing.) Whisk until completely combined.
  8. Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add any desired gel food colors. Immediately transfer to piping bags, or cover with plastic wrap. Do not leave the icing uncovered, as it will develop a film. If this happens, add a small amount of water and whisk to incorporate.
  9. Decorate the cookies with royal icing as desired and let dry completely, at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
  10. Enjoy!

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