Save Whimsical, buttery sugar cookies shaped like hearts and stars, decorated with sparkling royal icing—perfect for a magical tea party or a royal celebration.
I first baked these for a children’s party and the smiles made every step worthwhile
Ingredients
- Cookie Dough: 225 g (1 cup) unsalted butter softened
- Cookie Dough: 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- Cookie Dough: 1 large egg
- Cookie Dough: 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Cookie Dough: 350 g (2 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour
- Cookie Dough: ½ tsp baking powder
- Cookie Dough: ¼ tsp salt
- Royal Icing: 250 g (2 cups) powdered sugar sifted
- Royal Icing: 1 large egg white (or 2 tbsp meringue powder + 3 tbsp water)
- Royal Icing: ½ tsp lemon juice
- Royal Icing: Food coloring (pink, yellow, purple, blue, etc.)
- Royal Icing: Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in Egg and Vanilla:
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
- Chill Dough:
- Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare Oven and Pans:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 6 mm (¼ inch) thickness.
- Cut Shapes:
- Cut out heart and star shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies on prepared trays, spacing them 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart.
- Bake Cookies:
- Bake 8 10 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
- Prepare Icing:
- In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, egg white (or meringue powder mixture), and lemon juice until smooth. Divide icing into bowls and tint with desired food colors.
- Decorate Cookies:
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter as you wish. Let icing set before serving.
Save These treats bring back fond memories of family tea parties and celebrations, with kids eagerly decorating and sharing their creations.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, electric mixer or hand whisk, measuring cups and spoons, rolling pin, heart and star-shaped cookie cutters, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire cooling racks, small spatulas or piping bags for decorating
Allergen Information
Contains: Eggs, Wheat (gluten), Dairy (butter). May contain: Traces of nuts if sprinkles or decorations are not nut-free.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 140, Total Fat: 6 g, Carbohydrates: 21 g, Protein: 1.5 g (per serving)
Save Enjoy these charming cookies fresh or store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Cooking Questions & Answers
- → How do I prevent the dough from sticking when rolling out?
Lightly flour the surface and rolling pin to keep the dough from sticking without adding too much extra flour, which can toughen the cookies.
- → Can I use meringue powder instead of egg whites for the icing?
Yes, meringue powder mixed with water works well as a substitute for egg whites, providing a stable and smooth royal icing.
- → What is the best way to achieve vibrant colors in the icing?
Use gel-based or concentrated food coloring to maintain vivid hues without thinning the icing consistency.
- → How long should I chill the dough before baking?
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make rolling and cutting easier and to help cookies keep their shape during baking.
- → How can I store these decorated treats?
Once icing has fully set, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to one week.