Description
Sturdy, easy-to-decorate sugar cookies with royal icing, perfect for game day finger food. They stay fresh for days and can be customized with any team colors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4 cups (480g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 2 large egg whites (or ¼ cup pasteurized liquid egg whites)
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring gel
- Water, for thinning icing
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture on low speed, alternating with heavy cream, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface and cut into shapes.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown. Cool on sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- Beat egg whites and cream of tartar on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating on low then high until glossy and smooth.
- Divide icing into bowls and mix in food coloring gel.
- Pipe an outline on cooled cookies, let dry for 5 minutes, then flood with thinned icing.
- Use a toothpick to spread icing and pop bubbles. Let dry completely for 4-6 hours.
Notes
Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading. Use gel food coloring to avoid thinning the icing. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Do not refrigerate as humidity makes icing sticky.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 2
Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, game day snacks, football cookies, party treats, easy baking, finger food