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A close-up view of beautifully decorated iced sugar cookies with colorful frosting.

Classic Iced Sugar Cookies

These classic iced sugar cookies are perfect for any occasion. The dough is easy to make and the royal icing provides a smooth, professional finish for beautiful decorations.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Large bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Plastic wrap
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Silicone mats
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutters
  • Wire rack
  • Piping bags
  • Small round tips

Ingredients
  

For the Cookies:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing:

  • 4 cups powdered sugar (about 1 lb), sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 6-8 tablespoons warm water
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions
 

Cookies

  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
  • Cream softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
  • Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined without overmixing.
  • Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  • Roll out one disc of chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
  • Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-11 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
  • Cool cookies on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Royal Icing & Decorating

  • Combine sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder in a large bowl, then slowly add warm water, vanilla, and almond extract; mix on low until combined.
  • Increase mixer speed to medium-high and beat until icing is glossy and holds stiff peaks, about 5-7 minutes; adjust consistency with water or powdered sugar.
  • Divide icing into separate bowls and color with gel food coloring.
  • Transfer icing to piping bags and decorate cookies, allowing each layer to dry completely before adding more details or stacking.

Notes

For best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature. Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spread and maintaining cookie shape. Experiment with different colors and piping techniques to create unique designs.