Baked Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Delicate sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes, baked to golden perfection and decorated with smooth royal icing for a festive treat. This international-inspired desserts ready in about 32 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 5 tbsp water
- blue and white, as desired food coloring
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder until combined.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Step 3: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Step 4: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Step 5: Roll out one disc on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Step 6: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 7: For royal icing, combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp meringue powder, and 5 tbsp water in a bowl. Beat on high for 5 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Step 8: Divide icing into bowls, tint some blue with food coloring, leaving some white. Use piping bags to decorate cookies with snowflake patterns. Let icing dry completely before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (20 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing?
International desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
