Floral Butter Cookies with Royal Icing
Delight in these delicious Floral Butter Cookies decorated with royal icing, perfect for any celebration or enjoying with a cup of tea.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour Provides structure.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Essential for melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 cup sugar Balances and accentuates the buttery flavor.
- 1 large egg Binds ingredients and adds richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Enhances sweetness.
- 0.5 teaspoon almond extract (optional) Adds a nutty aroma.
- 0.25 teaspoon salt Balances flavors.
For the Royal Icing
- 1 large egg white (or 2 tablespoons meringue powder) Base for the royal icing.
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar Creates smooth finish.
- 0.5 teaspoon lemon juice Helps achieve the right icing consistency.
- 1 drop food coloring For decorating.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing well.
- Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut out floral shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
Baking
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
Making Royal Icing
- Whisk egg white or meringue powder with lemon juice until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, whisking until stiff peaks form.
- Divide icing into bowls and add food coloring as desired.
Decorating
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing in intricate floral patterns.
- Let icing set before serving.
Notes
Use room temperature butter for better incorporation. Allow dough to chill before rolling for cleaner shapes. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.