Print

Easy Patriotic Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe with Royal Icing for Perfect Fourth of July Treats

easy patriotic star-shaped sugar cookies - featured image
Print Recipe

These easy patriotic star-shaped sugar cookies with royal icing are perfect for Fourth of July celebrations, offering a tender yet sturdy sugar cookie base topped with a delicate, crunchy royal icing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (344 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 4 cups (480 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6–8 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for icing)
  • Gel food coloring (red and blue)

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Add eggs and extracts: Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon almond extract. Mix until combined.
  4. Combine dry and wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined to form a soft, slightly sticky dough.
  5. Chill the dough: Divide dough into two disks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Roll out dough: Lightly flour surface and rolling pin. Roll one disk of dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
  8. Cut stars: Use star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer to prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  9. Bake cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges start to turn golden but centers remain pale. Rotate sheets halfway through baking.
  10. Cool: Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Prepare royal icing: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons meringue powder, and 6-8 tablespoons warm water. Beat on high until glossy and stiff peaks form (7-10 minutes). Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract during mixing.
  12. Color and decorate: Divide icing into bowls and tint with red and blue gel food coloring, leaving some plain white. Fill piping bags with small round tips. Pipe outlines first, then flood interiors with thinner icing. Use toothpicks to spread icing evenly and pop air bubbles.
  13. Dry: Allow decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight before stacking or packing.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour for clean edges; use gel food coloring for vibrant icing colors; store cookies in airtight container with parchment paper layers to keep icing crisp; freeze undecorated dough or cookies for longer storage; avoid microwave reheating to preserve icing texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic sugar cookies, star-shaped cookies, royal icing cookies, Fourth of July treats, easy sugar cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-patriotic-star-shaped-sugar-cookies-recipe-with-royal-icing-for-perfect-fourth-of-july-treats/