Traditional Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Use a snowflake-shape cutter to form classic sugar cookies. Once baked, use a decorating bag with a small round tip to precisely apply Royal Icing to create a unique design. Sprinkle on white sanding sugar for a glistening finish.

Traditional Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Photo: Jason Donnelly
Prep Time:
35 mins
Chill Time:
2 hrs
Bake Time:
7 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
36
Yield:
36 to 48 cookies

Ingredients

  • cup butter, softened

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tablespoon milk

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 recipe Royal Icing

  • white sanding sugar

  • light blue sugar pearls

Royal Icing

  • 1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (4-1/4 cups)

  • 3 tablespoon meringue powder

  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

  • ½ cup warm water

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill about 2 hours or until dough is easy to handle.

  2. Preheat oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll one dough portion at a time to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Using a 3- to 4-inch snowflake-shape cookie cutter, cut out dough. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

  3. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until edges are very light brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.

To decorate:

  1. Using a decorating bag fitted with a small round tip, pipe frosting-consistency white Royal Icing in desired designs on cookies. While icing is still wet, sprinkle cookies with white sanding sugar. Tap cookies gently to remove excess sugar. Use icing to attach light blue sugar pearls for accents as desired.

Royal Icing

  1. In a large mixing bowl stir together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Add the water and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined; beat on high speed for 7 to 10 minutes or until icing is very stiff. If not using right away, cover bowl with a damp paper towel and cover paper towel with plastic wrap; chill for up to 48 hours.

To Store:

Layer cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

**Tip:

Meringue powder is a mixture of pasteurized dried egg whites, sugar, and edible gums. Look for it in the baking aisle of your supermarket or at a specialty food store.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

74 Calories
4g Fat
10g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 36
Calories 74
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 49mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 1g 2%
Calcium 10.1mg 1%
Iron 0.4mg 2%
Potassium 11mg 0%
Folate, total 12.1mcg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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