Royale Sugar Cookies

$- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - ½ teaspoon almond extract - 1 cup royal icing (for decoration) - Sprinkles or edible glitter (for garnish) For Royale Sugar Cookies, you need simple ingredients. Each item plays a key role in making the cookies perfect. All-purpose flour helps give the cookies structure. It binds the other ingredients and provides a nice texture. Baking powder, baking soda, and salt are crucial for the right rise and balance in flavor. They ensure your cookies don’t fall flat. Unsalted butter adds a rich flavor. Make sure it’s softened. This helps it blend well with sugar. Granulated sugar sweetens the dough. It also helps cookies to spread while baking. Egg adds moisture and acts as a binder in the dough. Vanilla and almond extracts give a lovely aroma. They enhance the overall taste of the cookies. Royal icing is for decorating the cookies. It hardens and allows you to create beautiful designs. Sprinkles or edible glitter add a fun touch. They make your cookies look festive and special. Gather these ingredients, and you’ll be on your way to making delicious Royale Sugar Cookies! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, grab a medium bowl. In this bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon salt Set this mixture aside for now. Next, take a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes. Now it's time to add the wet ingredients. Add 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of almond extract to the butter-sugar mix. Blend until everything is well combined. Finally, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, or your cookies may not be as soft. After mixing, divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour. Chilling is important. It helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut into shapes later. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Next, take one disk of chilled dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to about ¼ inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out your favorite shapes. Place these cookies on the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn a light golden color. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the sheets for a few minutes. After that, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once the cookies are cool, it's time for the fun part! Use royal icing to decorate your cookies. Add sprinkles or edible glitter for a royal touch. Enjoy these delightful treats! To get the right cookie texture, avoid over-mixing the dough. When you mix too much, the cookies can become tough. Mix until you just see the dry ingredients disappear. Using room temperature ingredients is key, too. When butter is soft, it blends well with sugar. This helps create a light and fluffy base. Take your butter and egg out an hour before you start baking. For royal icing, the right consistency is crucial. It should flow smoothly but hold its shape. To achieve this, add water slowly until you get the perfect mix. Use a piping bag for clean lines and details. Sprinkles and edible glitter add fun colors. Try different shapes and sizes for extra flair. You can even match sprinkles to your party theme for a festive touch. Present your cookies on a nice platter for special occasions. You can add small candies or fresh flowers around them. This makes a beautiful display that impresses guests. Pair these cookies with drinks like milk or tea. The soft sweetness of the cookies balances well with these beverages. Enjoying them this way makes for a delightful treat experience! Pro Tips Chill the Dough: Make sure to refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour. This helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking. Use Quality Extracts: For a richer flavor, opt for high-quality vanilla and almond extracts. This will enhance the overall taste of your cookies. Perfect Icing Consistency: When making royal icing, adjust the water for your desired consistency—thicker for outlining and thinner for flooding the cookies. Decorate with Care: Use a piping bag for more precision when decorating. This allows for intricate designs and better control of the icing. {{image_2}} You can easily change the flavor of your Royale Sugar Cookies. Here are some fun ideas: - Adding citrus zest or spices: Try adding lemon or orange zest for a bright taste. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds warmth. These flavors make your cookies unique and festive. - Using different extracts: Swap out the vanilla or almond extracts for others like coconut or peppermint. This small change gives a whole new flavor to each batch. Experiment with what you love! Decorating your cookies is just as fun as baking them. Here are some creative ideas: - Themed decorations for holidays: Create cookies for special days like Christmas or Halloween. Use colors and shapes that match the holiday. For Christmas, think snowflakes and trees. For Halloween, go for ghosts and pumpkins! - Alternative icing options: While royal icing is great, you can also use buttercream or glaze. Each icing gives a different look and taste. Try different colors to match your theme. Let your creativity shine! To keep your Royale Sugar Cookies fresh, use airtight containers. This method prevents air from making the cookies hard or stale. You can store them at room temperature for a few days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. If you want to save cookies for later, freezing is a great option. Wrap each cookie in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can stay in the freezer for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Royale Sugar Cookies last about a week at room temperature. After that, they may lose their soft texture. Check for signs of spoilage, such as dryness or an off smell. If they feel hard or crumbly, it’s best to toss them. Always trust your senses; if it seems off, don’t eat it. Royale sugar cookies are soft, sweet treats that are often decorated with shiny royal icing. These cookies have roots in classic American baking. They are famous for their smooth surface, perfect for icing. The base of the cookie is simple, made with flour, butter, and sugar. The dough is easy to roll and cut into fun shapes. People enjoy these cookies at holidays, parties, and special events. The royal icing adds a pretty finish and can be tinted with colors. Yes, you can make these cookies ahead of time! Start by preparing the dough and chilling it in the fridge. You can keep the dough wrapped in plastic for up to three days. When you're ready, roll it out and cut shapes. You can also bake the cookies ahead of time. Store the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. When it's time to serve, just decorate them with royal icing and enjoy! Royal icing and regular icing differ mainly in their ingredients and uses. Royal icing uses egg whites or meringue powder, making it firm and great for decorations. It dries hard, allowing for detailed designs. Regular icing, often made with powdered sugar and milk, stays soft and is ideal for spreading. It is less stable and doesn’t hold shapes well. Use royal icing for decorating cookies and regular icing for cakes or quick treats. Making royal sugar cookies is a fun process. We covered the key ingredients, detailed steps, and handy tips to get the best results. Remember, great cookies start with careful mixing and chilling. You can try new flavors and decorations to make them your own. Store them right to keep your cookies fresh. Enjoy sharing these sweet treats at your next event. With practice, you’ll create cookies that impress everyone around. Happy baking!$

Deliciously soft and sweet sugar cookies, perfect for decorating and special occasions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 1 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24

Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients

2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
0.5 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup royal icing (for decoration)
1 serving sprinkles or edible glitter (for garnish)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture, and mix until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, use royal icing to decorate the cookies and add sprinkles or edible glitter for a royal touch.

Notes

Arrange the decorated cookies on a decorative platter, and consider placing small candies or fresh flowers around the cookies to enhance the display for special occasions.

Keyword cookies, royal icing, sugar cookies