Holiday Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• Cookies:
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
• 1 cup pure cane granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• Royal Icing:
• 4 cups pure cane powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup meringue powder
• 1 tsp vanilla

Details

Adapted from splenda.com

Preparation

Step 1

*Cookies:*
In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, soda and salt; stir into sugar mixture. Divide into two equal-sized disks, place in plastic wrap and chill 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375.

On flour covered board, working with one disk at a time, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out stars, snowflakes and other shapes. Place cookie shapes 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake 5 to 8 minutes until lightly browned. After cooling, decorate with icing and sugar crystals.

*Icing:*
In large glass or metal bowl, beat all ingredients at high speed 7 to 10 minutes, or until very stiff.

Hints: Use immediately. Keep covered with damp cloth or with plastic wrap to prevent drying. Thin with few drops of water or thicken with additional powdered sugar. Makes 3 ½ cups of icing.