Frozen Kingdom Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Delicate sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes decorated with smooth royal icing, perfect for a winter celebration. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 32 minutes layers (2 sticks), softened 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
- 3/4 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
- 5 tbsp water
- a few drops blue food coloring
- 2 tbsp white sanding sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Step 2: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture on low speed, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour.
- Step 4: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Step 5: Sprinkle cookies lightly with 2 tbsp white sanding sugar and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 6: For royal icing, whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp meringue powder, and 5 tbsp water until smooth and thick but pipeable. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and mix gently.
- Step 7: Use a piping bag with a fine tip to decorate cooled cookies with intricate snowflake patterns. Allow icing to dry for 2 hours before serving or storing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Frozen Kingdom 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 Frozen Kingdom 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 Frozen Kingdom 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 Frozen Kingdom 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 Frozen Kingdom Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing?
American 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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
