Frozen-Themed Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Delicate sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes decorated with smooth royal icing inspired by the icy magic of Frozen. This general-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers (226g), softened unsalted butter, (200g) 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 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
- 1 cup (226g), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 5 tbsp water
- a few drops blue gel food coloring
- 2 tbsp, optional for sparkle white sanding sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar using 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 together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a smooth dough forms.
- Step 4: Divide dough in half, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Step 5: Roll out chilled dough on a 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 6: Optionally sprinkle 2 tbsp white sanding sugar on top of cookies for sparkle.
- Step 7: Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges are just golden. Remove from oven and cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 8: To make royal icing, combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp meringue powder, and 5 tbsp water in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Step 9: Divide icing into two bowls; tint one with a few drops of blue gel food coloring and leave the other white.
- Step 10: Use piping bags fitted with small round tips to decorate cooled cookies with icy patterns, alternating blue and white icing. Let icing dry completely before serving or storing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Frozen-Themed Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (30 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 Frozen-Themed 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-Themed 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-Themed 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-Themed Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing?
General 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.
