Save Whimsical, buttery sugar cookies shaped like hearts and stars, decorated with sparkling royal icing—perfect for a magical tea party or a royal celebration.
I love making these treats for family tea parties where the kids get excited to help decorate the cookies with colorful icing and edible glitter.
Ingredients
- Cookie Dough: 225 g (1 cup) unsalted butter softened, 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, 350 g (2 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour, ½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt
- Royal Icing: 250 g (2 cups) powdered sugar sifted, 1 large egg white (or 2 tbsp meringue powder + 3 tbsp water), ½ tsp lemon juice, Food coloring (pink, yellow, purple, blue, etc.), Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 2:
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Step 3:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 4:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
- Step 5:
- Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 6:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 7:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 6 mm (¼ inch) thickness.
- Step 8:
- Cut out heart and star shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies on prepared trays, spacing them 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart.
- Step 9:
- Bake 8 10 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 10:
- For icing In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, egg white (or meringue powder mixture), and lemon juice until smooth. Divide icing into bowls and tint with desired food colors.
- Step 11:
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter as you wish. Let icing set before serving.
Save These treats always bring smiles at our family gatherings especially when the kids get creative with decorating.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, Electric mixer or hand whisk, Measuring cups and spoons, Rolling pin, Heart and star-shaped cookie cutters, Baking sheets, Parchment paper, Wire cooling racks, Small spatulas or piping bags for decorating
Allergen Information
Contains Eggs, Wheat (gluten), Dairy (butter). May contain traces of nuts if sprinkles or decorations are not nut-free. If concerned, double-check all labels for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 140, Total Fat: 6 g, Carbohydrates: 21 g, Protein: 1.5 g per serving.
Save Enjoy baking these charming cookies that add a magical touch to any celebration.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I prevent the dough from sticking when rolling?
Lightly flour the surface and rolling pin before rolling out the dough to keep it from sticking.
- → What is the best way to achieve smooth royal icing?
Whisk powdered sugar with egg white and lemon juice until smooth and lump-free for a glossy finish.
- → Can I add flavors to the cookie dough?
Yes, adding lemon or orange zest can provide a fresh citrus note to complement the sweetness.
- → How long should the cookies cool before decorating?
Allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks to prevent the icing from melting or sliding.
- → What are tips for storing these cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and texture.