Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Delicate sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes, flavored with vanilla and decorated with royal icing to evoke the magic of ice and snow. This general-inspired desserts ready in about 30 minutes layers all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, softened, granulated sugar 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
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 4 tbsp water
- a few drops blue food coloring
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 2: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined. In another bowl, whisk 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a dough forms. Chill dough wrapped in plastic for 1 hour.
- Step 4: Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use snowflake cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
- Step 5: Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges are just golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 6: For royal icing, whisk 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp meringue powder, and 4 tbsp water until stiff peaks form. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and mix gently.
- Step 7: Decorate cooled cookies with the blue royal icing using piping bags to create delicate snowflake patterns. Let icing dry for 2 hours before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 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 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 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 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 Snowflake Sugar Cookies?
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.
