Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies

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Madison, your baker here! Decorating sugar cookies has always been my favorite past time during the holiday season. When I was young my sisters and I would help my parents bake the cookies, all different shapes and sizes. While they were baking we would prepare our favorite icing colors and gather as many fun sprinkles as we could find. All the while, you are surrounded with family in the kitchen making memories baking together and enjoying the season. To me, the most wonderful thing about sugar cookies is watching them come to life and making each one different and more special than the last. Have fun with these and make them your own! Share your creations with us, and enjoy each moment. Sugar Cookies Recipe:

• 2 cups softened unsalted butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 3 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. salt

Royal Icing Recipe:

• 2 lb. bag of powdered sugar (about 7 1/2 cups)
• 5 Tbsp. merengue powder
• 1/2 cup of water (more if needed)

Directions: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. and line 2 cookies sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. In a medium size bowl measure and whisk all of your dry ingredients then set aside. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat your butter and powdered sugar on low speed until there is no lumps and your mixture is light in color and smooth. Add in your eggs and vanilla and continue to mix on low speed. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go. Slowly add your dry ingredients to your mixer and continue mixing until your dough forms. Be careful not to over mix, you will know when it's ready when your dough pulls away from the sides on the bowl and comes together in the middle. Transfer your dough onto a silicone mat or parchment paper and roll it out. You will want it to be about 1/4". Don't be afraid to use flour on your dough and rolling pin so it doesn't stick! Chill your rolled dough in the fridge for about 15 minutes. In the meantime pick out what fun shapes you will want to watch come to life! Once your dough has chilled, cut out all of your shapes and place on your cookie sheets about an inch and a half apart to prevent them from spreading and touching in the oven. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. While your cookies bake lets prep and make our royal icing. In your stand mixer with your paddle attachment mix your powdered sugar and merengue powder. Slowly add in your water. If your icing is too thick then you can add more. If you accidentally add too much water and your icing is too thin don't worry! Just go ahead and add more powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency. In a separate bowl color a few scoops of icing one at a time. Whatever colors and however much you want, have at it! Place your icing once it's colored and ready into piping bags. If you don't have piping bags you can use ziplock baggies. Make sure your cookies are completely cooled before you begin decorating. When it comes to decorating these sugar cookies, it helps to outline the edges of your cookie and slowly pipe inward until your entire cookie is covered. Take your time and use your imagination! Remember to spread joy and kindness every chance you get (even if it’s in cookie form) this season and year round. I hope you have so much fun making them and enjoy sharing them! Make sure to join our private Facebook group page (Baketivity Community) where I will be interacting with you all, answering questions, sharing more fun recipes, and of course hearing ideas and comments from you! Thank you!