Cut-Out Sugar Cookies - Cuisine

By norsegal8

Ingredients

• ROYAL ICING:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• zest of one lemon
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 pound powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons powdered egg white or meringue powder

Preparation

Step 1

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

Cream the butter, both sugars and zest with a mixer until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Blend the egg, cream and vanilla into the butter mixture.

Add half of the dry ingredients, mix until they are incorporated, then blend in the remaining dry ingredients.

Shape the dough into a disc; wrap in plastic and chill for at least 2 hours before rolling. (The dough may be frozen for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the chilled dough in half and return one half to the refrigerator. Roll the dough to 1/8-inch thick.

Flip the dough often, especially in the early stages of rolling, to prevent sticking. Reflour the dough and work surface as needed, and work quickly to the dough from warming too much.

Cut out shaped cookies with cookie cutters. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1/2-inch apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until set and lightly golden around the edges.

Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.