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Perfect Decorated Apple Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

decorated apple sugar cookies with royal icing - featured image
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These decorated apple sugar cookies with royal icing are a cozy fall favorite featuring a buttery sugar cookie base with a hint of cinnamon and smooth, colorful royal icing. Easy to make and perfect for seasonal gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk (whole or 2%)
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)
  • Gel food coloring in red, green, yellow, and brown
  • Optional decorations: edible glitter or sanding sugar, fine paintbrush for icing details

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add egg and vanilla: beat in egg and vanilla extract until combined, then add milk and mix just until incorporated.
  4. Combine dry and wet ingredients: gradually add dry mixture to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until dough holds together; add milk by teaspoon if too dry.
  5. Chill dough: wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Roll and cut cookies: roll dough to ¼ inch thickness on floured surface, cut with apple-shaped cookie cutters, and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
  8. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden; cool completely on wire racks.
  9. Prepare royal icing: beat powdered sugar with egg whites (or meringue powder and water) and vanilla/almond extract until stiff peaks form; divide and tint with gel food coloring.
  10. Decorate cookies: outline apple shapes with thicker icing and flood with thinner icing using piping bags; use green for leaves, brown for stems, red or yellow for apple bodies.
  11. Let icing dry completely for 4-6 hours or overnight before storing or stacking.

Notes

Keep ingredients cool and use softened butter, not melted. Chill dough to prevent spreading. Use thicker royal icing for outlines and thinner for flooding. Let icing dry overnight for best results. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze dough or undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. For vegan or allergy-friendly options, substitute ingredients as noted.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple sugar cookies, royal icing, fall cookies, decorated cookies, easy sugar cookies, autumn baking, holiday cookies

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/perfect-decorated-apple-sugar-cookies-with-royal-icing-easy-fall-recipe/