Blue Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Delicate sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes with a shimmering blue royal icing, perfect for a winter-themed treat. This international-inspired desserts ready in about 30 minutes layers unsalted butter, granulated sugar, large egg 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 120 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
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 4 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp blue gel food coloring
- 1 tsp edible silver glitter
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 2: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together.
- Step 5: Divide dough in half, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Step 6: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out one disk on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 7: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are just golden. Let cookies cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 8: For royal icing, beat together 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp meringue powder, and 4 tbsp water with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Step 9: Add 1/2 tsp blue gel food coloring and mix until evenly tinted.
- Step 10: Use a piping bag to decorate cooled cookies with blue icing in snowflake patterns, then sprinkle 1 tsp edible silver glitter over the icing while wet.
- Step 11: Allow icing to dry completely before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Blue Snowflake Sugar Cookies take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Blue Snowflake Sugar Cookies?
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 Blue Snowflake Sugar Cookies?
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 Blue Snowflake Sugar Cookies 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 Blue Snowflake Sugar Cookies?
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.
