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Perfect Firework Sugar Cookies Recipe Easy Homemade Royal Icing Tutorial for Celebrations

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These perfect firework sugar cookies with royal icing are quick, easy, and ideal for celebrations. They feature a buttery cookie base paired with smooth, colorful royal icing that dries firm and tastes delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or almond extract)
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites (pasteurized if preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Gel food coloring in red, blue, and yellow
  • Edible glitter or sanding sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Using your mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 to 4 minutes. (4 minutes)
  3. Add Egg and Extract: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Scrape down the sides to keep everything incorporated. (2 minutes)
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. If the dough feels sticky, chill for 15 minutes. (5 minutes)
  5. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour. (1 hour)
  6. Preheat Oven and Roll Dough: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough to about ¼-inch (6 mm) thickness on a floured surface. (10 minutes)
  7. Cut and Bake: Use cookie cutters to cut shapes and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are just turning golden. (8-10 minutes)
  8. Cool Completely: Transfer cookies to cooling racks and let cool fully before decorating. (30 minutes)
  9. Make the Royal Icing: Beat egg whites and lemon juice until frothy. Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing on low speed until stiff peaks form. Divide and tint with gel colors. (10 minutes)
  10. Decorate: Fill piping bags with colored icing. Outline each cookie, fill with thinner icing for a smooth base, then pipe firework bursts and star shapes with thicker icing. Add edible glitter while wet if desired. Let dry for several hours or overnight. (30-45 minutes active plus drying time)

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing. Chill dough well to prevent spreading. Don’t overbake cookies; edges should just turn golden. For royal icing, use thicker icing for outlining and thinner for flooding. Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating cookies. Let icing dry fully overnight for best results. If icing cracks or stiffens too much, add a few drops of water to loosen it. Store cookies in airtight containers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze undecorated cookies in a single layer; decorated cookies should be wrapped individually.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, firework cookies, celebration cookies, easy sugar cookies, homemade cookies, festive cookies, cookie decorating

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/perfect-firework-sugar-cookies-recipe-easy-homemade-royal-icing-tutorial-for-celebrations/