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Perfect Alphabet Sugar Cookies Recipe Easy Homemade Royal Icing Tutorial

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A quick and easy recipe for alphabet sugar cookies with glossy royal icing, perfect for personalized messages and festive occasions. These cookies have crisp edges, a tender center, and a smooth, shiny icing finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp whole milk or cream
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp meringue powder
  • 5–6 tbsp warm water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or lemon juice (optional)
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups sifted all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add Egg and Flavor: Beat in 1 large room temperature egg and 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Slowly add the flour mixture in two batches, alternating with 2 tbsp whole milk or cream. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Chill the Dough: Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  6. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each disc to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Keep dough cool; chill if it softens too much.
  7. Cut Alphabet Shapes: Use alphabet cookie cutters to press out letters, placing them about 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden. Cool completely on wire racks before icing.
  9. Prepare Royal Icing: In a medium bowl, mix 3 cups powdered sugar and 2 tbsp meringue powder. Add 5 tbsp warm water and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Beat on high for 5-7 minutes until stiff, glossy peaks form. Adjust water for desired consistency.
  10. Color and Pipe: Divide icing into bowls for colors if desired. Use piping bags with small round tips to outline each cookie letter, then flood the interior with thinner icing. Use a toothpick to spread evenly and pop air bubbles.
  11. Dry and Store: Let icing dry at room temperature for 4-6 hours or overnight. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Notes

Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and to maintain crisp edges. Adjust royal icing consistency for outlining (thicker) and flooding (thinner). Practice piping on parchment paper if new to royal icing. Store cookies in airtight containers at room temperature; avoid refrigeration to keep icing glossy. Dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to a month.

Nutrition

Keywords: alphabet sugar cookies, royal icing, sugar cookies, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe, personalized cookies, baking with kids

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