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Santa Sugar Cookies

Santa Sugar Cookies Recipe

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 (makes about 24 cookies)
Calories: 210
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons water
  • Gel food coloring (red, white, black, pink)

Method
 

  1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract on low until combined.
  4. Mix in the flour mixture on low until a soft dough forms. Divide into two discs, wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
  5. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll one disc to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut shapes, place on parchment-lined sheets, and bake one sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes.
  6. Cool on the sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
  7. Beat the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 3 tablespoons water until smooth. Tint with gel colors and thin as needed. Outline and flood the cooled cookies, then add piped details once the base sets. Let the icing harden completely before storing.

Notes

The dough needs to chill for at least 1 hour before rolling; this hands-off time is not included in the prep estimate. Royal icing dries hard in about 2 hours at room temperature. Use gel food coloring for vivid results without altering the icing consistency.