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Easy Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe with Perfect Royal Icing Decoration

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These easy heart shaped sugar cookies with royal icing are quick to make, delicious, and perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day. The buttery cookies paired with smooth royal icing create a nostalgic and charming treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons pasteurized liquid egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Food coloring gels (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. (5 minutes)
  3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until fully incorporated. (2 minutes)
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Dough will be soft but manageable. (3 minutes)
  5. Chill the Dough: Divide dough into two discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. (60+ minutes)
  6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. (5 minutes)
  7. Roll and Cut Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cutters to cut out cookies, placing them about 1 inch apart on baking sheets. (10-15 minutes)
  8. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are just barely golden and centers are still pale. (10 minutes)
  9. Cool: Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. (20-30 minutes)
  10. Prepare Royal Icing: Beat 3 cups sifted powdered sugar, 2 large egg whites (or 4 tbsp pasteurized liquid egg whites), and 1 teaspoon lemon juice on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 7-10 minutes. Adjust consistency as needed. (10 minutes)
  11. Decorate: Divide icing into bowls and add food coloring if desired. Use piping bags with small round tips to outline and flood cookies. Let icing set at room temperature for at least 2 hours or overnight to harden. (20+ minutes active, plus drying time)

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and ensure sharp edges. Use pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder for safe royal icing. Work in small batches when decorating to prevent icing from drying out. Practice piping on parchment paper if new to royal icing. Store decorated cookies in a dry place at room temperature to avoid icing sweat.

Nutrition

Keywords: heart shaped sugar cookies, royal icing, Valentine's Day cookies, easy sugar cookies, decorated cookies, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/easy-heart-shaped-sugar-cookies-recipe-with-perfect-royal-icing-decoration/