Royal Icing

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Ingredients

Makes 2 cups of icing.

4 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons meringue powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

5-6 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add all of the ingredients and mix on a low speed until combined. Adjust the water if the mixture is too thick.

  2. Increase the speed to medium-high and continue beating until icing becomes fluffy and white.

  3. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula and continue beating until icing is smooth and evenly mixed.

  4. Cover immediately with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent the icing from drying and crusting too quickly.

  5. To thin, add 1 tsp of water at a time until the icing is a “flood” consistency.

  6. To color, measure out an amount from the bowl to a smaller bowl and color using food gel.

  7. Add to piping bags fitted with tips or by using tipless piping bags and decorate with my perfect sugar cookie recipe! Icing can take anywhere from 8 hours to overnight to dry completely.

Classic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

Makes 12-20 cookies.

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temp

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract (we use imitation)

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar and salt together in a mixer with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy - roughly 2 minutes.

  2. Add egg and extracts and mix to combine. Scrape sides of the bowl with a spatula.

  3. Add in the flour, one cup at a time, mixing on a low speed between each addition until a dough forms.

  4. Prepare baking sheet with parchment or silicone mat.

  5. Dust the work surface with flour and roll out dough to 1/2 inch thick. Using any cutter you’d like, lay your cookie shapes on the baking sheet, evenly spaced apart.

  6. Bake until the cookies don’t look shiny and are firm to the touch.

  7. Let cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container until ready to decorate with my royal icing! Enjoy!