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Elegant Mother’s Day Decorated Sugar Cookies

Elegant Mothers Day Decorated Sugar Cookies - featured image
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These elegant sugar cookies feature a buttery, tender dough and smooth royal icing that dries to a glossy finish, perfect for Mother’s Day celebrations or gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5–6 tablespoons water
  • Gel food coloring in pastel shades (pink, mint green, lavender, pale yellow)
  • Optional: edible pearls or shimmer dust for decoration

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add egg and vanilla: beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined; do not overmix.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Dough will be slightly sticky but firm enough to roll.
  5. Chill the dough: divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Roll and cut: roll out one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut shapes with cookie cutters and place on baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
  8. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden but centers remain pale. Avoid overbaking.
  9. Cool cookies on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before icing.
  10. Prepare royal icing: combine powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl. Add water gradually, stirring until icing forms stiff peaks but is still pipeable. Divide and tint with gel food coloring.
  11. Decorate cookies: fill piping bags with colored icing. Outline edges first, then flood centers with thinner icing. Use toothpicks to spread and smooth icing. Add details like dots, flowers, or pearls while icing is wet.
  12. Let decorated cookies dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight before storing or stacking.

Notes

Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and maintain shape. Use a slightly thinner royal icing for flooding and thicker for outlining. Let icing dry fully to avoid cracks. Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers; avoid refrigeration.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, decorated cookies, Mother's Day cookies, royal icing, easy sugar cookies, homemade cookies, pastel cookies

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/elegant-mothers-day-decorated-sugar-cookies-easy-homemade-recipe-ideas-for-pinterest/