Bake the Best Soft Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing: Your Guide to Easy, Picture-Perfect Treats

On my busiest nights, I reach for simple comforts, and I want to show you how to do the same with these delightful treats.

Tired of flat, hard sugar cookies or royal icing that cracks? Discover how to make the dreamiest Soft Sugar Cookie with Royal Icing – tender, buttery, and beautifully decorated for any occasion. Perfect for busy parents and home bakers looking for reliable, delicious results. We’ll cover everything from mixing the perfect dough to mastering stunning royal icing decorations. These tried-and-true recipes guarantee smiles and holiday magic every time.

Ingredient Breakdown (with Measurements, Purpose)

Crafting the perfect batch of Soft Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing starts with understanding each component.

Core Cookie Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter (1 cup / 226g, softened) – for rich flavor and tenderness.
• Granulated sugar (1 cup / 200g) – for sweetness and cookie structure.
• Large egg (1) – binds ingredients, adds richness.
• Vanilla extract (2 tsp / 10ml) – essential for classic flavor.
• All-purpose flour (3 cups / 360g) – provides structure and chew.
• Baking powder (1 tsp / 5g) – gives a slight lift for a softer crumb.
• Salt (1/2 tsp / 2.5g) – balances sweetness.

Royal Icing Essentials:

• Powdered sugar (4 cups / 480g, sifted) – the base for smooth, sweet icing.
• Meringue powder (3 tbsp / 27g) – provides stability, shine, and helps hardening.
• Warm water (1/2 cup / 120ml, plus more as needed) – adjusts consistency.
• Gel food coloring (optional) – for vibrant, customizable decorations.

Optional Add-ins & Smart Swaps:

• Almond extract (1/2 tsp / 2.5ml) – for a complementary nutty flavor in cookies or icing.
• Lemon zest (1 tbsp / 5g) – adds a bright, fresh note to the cookie dough.
• Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (1:1 swap) – for a dietary alternative, may need slight liquid adjustment.
• Natural food colorings – for a dye-free option.

Notes on Quality & Seasonality:

Ensure butter is truly at room temperature for proper creaming – it makes a huge difference to the texture of your Soft Sugar Cookie. Use a good quality vanilla extract for the best flavor. Fresh eggs contribute to a richer dough. Consider using festive sprinkles or holiday-specific extracts like peppermint during seasonal baking.

Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions

Let’s get baking! Here are the steps to create your delicious Soft Sugar Cookie with Royal Icing.

For the Soft Sugar Cookies:

These steps will guide you through making the perfect Soft Sugar Cookies.

1. Cream Butter and Sugar (5 minutes): In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light, fluffy, and pale yellow. Scrape down sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
2. Add Egg and Vanilla (1 minute): Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until just combined. My tip: do not overmix at this stage!
3. Combine Dry Ingredients (1 minute): In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually Add Dry to Wet (2-3 minutes): Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. The dough will be soft. Remember, do not overmix, or your cookies may become tough.
5. Chill the Dough (30-60 minutes): Form the dough into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days. This crucial step prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
6. Roll and Cut (10-15 minutes): On a lightly floured surface (or, my favorite trick, between two sheets of parchment paper), roll out dough to about 1/4-inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Reroll any scraps gently.
7. Bake (8-10 minutes): Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place cut cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers look set but still soft. Do not overbake for that perfectly soft texture of your Soft Sugar Cookie! Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Royal Icing:

Now, let’s create the beautiful Royal Icing.

1. Whisk Meringue Powder and Water (2-3 minutes): In a large bowl, whisk meringue powder and warm water until foamy.
2. Gradually Add Powdered Sugar (5-7 minutes): Slowly add sifted powdered sugar to the meringue mixture, beating on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high. Beat until thick, glossy, and stiff peaks form (about 5-7 minutes). This creates the base for your beautiful Royal Icing.
3. Divide and Color (5 minutes): Divide icing into separate bowls for different colors. Use gel food coloring for best results, mixing until desired shade is achieved.
4. Adjust Consistency (as needed): Add tiny drops of water to achieve desired consistency for outlining (toothpaste-like) or flooding (syrup-like, smooths out in 10-15 seconds).

Brief Troubleshooting:

Dough too sticky after chilling? Lightly dust with flour before rolling or chill for an additional 15 minutes. Royal icing too thick? Add water 1/4 teaspoon at a time. Too thin? Add more sifted powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Cookies spreading too much? Dough wasn’t chilled enough, or butter was too warm.

When and How to Use It (Occasions, Storage)

These delightful treats are more versatile than you might think!

Situations:

• Holiday baking (Christmas, Easter, Halloween)
• Birthday parties and celebrations
• School lunches and after-school snacks
• Edible gifts for teachers, neighbors, and friends
• Fun family activity on a rainy day or weekend.

Serving Ideas and Pairings:

• Serve on a beautiful platter as a dessert centerpiece.
• Package individually in clear bags with ribbons for thoughtful gifts.
• Enjoy with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.

Storage Guidance:

• Undecorated Soft Sugar Cookies: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
• Decorated Soft Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing: Once the royal icing is fully hardened (typically 12-24 hours), store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Do not refrigerate, as condensation can affect the icing.

Reheating Guidance:

No reheating is needed for these cookies. Serve them at room temperature for the best texture and flavor. My family loves them straight from the counter!

How It Supports Easy Holiday Baking

Creating beautiful treats doesn’t have to be stressful, especially during busy times. These Soft Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing make holiday baking a breeze.

Make-ahead friendly:

Both the cookie dough and royal icing can be prepared in advance, allowing you to spread out your holiday baking tasks over several days. This flexibility is a game-changer when you’re juggling a busy schedule.

Simple ingredients:

This recipe relies on readily available pantry staples, avoiding the need for special grocery trips during already busy holiday seasons. You probably have most of what you need already!

Fun for all ages:

Decorating Soft Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing is a beloved family tradition, offering a creative and engaging activity for both kids and adults. It’s a wonderful way to make lasting memories together.

Tips, Adjustments, and Cautions for Perfect Soft Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Here are some of my favorite tricks and considerations to help you achieve perfect results every time with your Soft Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing.

Technique Upgrades:

• Roll dough between parchment paper for easy transfer to baking sheets and to minimize additional flour, keeping cookies tender.
• Use a scribe tool or toothpick for detailed royal icing work, to pop air bubbles, and to smooth flooded areas.
• Master outlining first with a thicker consistency, then flood with a thinner icing for smooth, professional-looking designs.

Seasoning Adjustments:

• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg or cardamom can add a warm, festive note to the cookie dough.
• Experiment with different extracts like orange or peppermint in the Soft Sugar Cookies for seasonal variations.

Texture Control:

• For slightly crispier edges, bake the Soft Sugar Cookies an extra minute or two.
• For the softest cookies, remove them from the oven when they are just set and barely golden on the edges. I always aim for that soft center!

Allergy or Dietary Notes:

• For a gluten-free option, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but be aware that dough texture may vary slightly.
• While royal icing typically contains meringue powder (made from dried egg whites), for egg allergies, you might need to explore alternative icing recipes like a simple powdered sugar glaze without meringue powder, though it won’t harden as firmly.

FAQs

Conclusion

Mastering these Soft Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing will bring endless joy and deliciousness to your kitchen, making every occasion a little sweeter. There’s nothing quite like seeing those happy faces when someone bites into one of these tender, beautifully decorated treats. Pin this recipe now to create your own edible masterpieces that your family will adore!

Soft Sugar Cookie with Royal Icing

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• Author: Elina Mirkle
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Dreamy Soft Sugar Cookie with Royal Icing: tender, buttery, and beautifully decorated. Perfect for any occasion and easily made gluten-free with a simple flour swap.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup / 226g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup / 200g granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp / 10ml vanilla extract
• 3 cups / 360g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp / 5g baking powder
• 1/2 tsp / 2.5g salt
• 4 cups / 480g powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tbsp / 27g meringue powder
• 1/2 cup / 120ml warm water, plus more as needed
• Gel food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

For the Soft Sugar Cookies:

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light, fluffy, and pale yellow. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
2. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until just combined. My tip: do not overmix at this stage!
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually Add Dry to Wet: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Remember, do not overmix, or your cookies may become tough.
5. Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days. This crucial step prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
6. Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface (or, my favorite trick, between two sheets of parchment paper), roll out dough to about 1/4-inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Reroll any scraps gently.
7. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place cut cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers look set but still soft. Do not overbake for that perfectly soft texture of your Soft Sugar Cookie! Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Royal Icing:

1. Whisk Meringue Powder and Water: In a large bowl, whisk meringue powder and warm water until foamy.
2. Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: Slowly add sifted powdered sugar to the meringue mixture, beating on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high. Beat until thick, glossy, and stiff peaks form (about 5-7 minutes). This creates the base for your beautiful Royal Icing.
3. Divide and Color: Divide icing into separate bowls for different colors. Use gel food coloring for best results, mixing until desired shade is achieved.
4. Adjust Consistency: Add tiny drops of water to achieve desired consistency for outlining (toothpaste-like) or flooding (syrup-like, smooths out in 10-15 seconds).

Notes

• Substitutions: For a complementary nutty flavor, add 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) almond extract to cookies or icing. For a bright, fresh note, add 1 tbsp (5g) lemon zest to the cookie dough. For a gluten-free dietary alternative, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, which may require slight liquid adjustment. Consider natural food colorings for dye-free options.
• Tips: Ensure butter is truly at room temperature for proper creaming – it makes a huge difference to the texture of your Soft Sugar Cookie. Use a good quality vanilla extract for the best flavor. Fresh eggs contribute to a richer dough.
• Troubleshooting: If dough is too sticky after chilling, lightly dust with flour before rolling or chill for an additional 15 minutes. If royal icing is too thick, add water 1/4 teaspoon at a time. If too thin, add more sifted powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. If cookies spreading too much, the dough wasn’t chilled enough, or butter was too warm.
• Seasonality: Consider using festive sprinkles or holiday-specific extracts like peppermint during seasonal baking.
• Nutritional Information: The nutritional data provided is an estimate as it was not specified in the original article.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: Soft Sugar Cookie with Royal Icing