Snowman Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Soft sugar cookies shaped like snowmen, decorated with vibrant royal icing to recreate the cheerful look of a winter snowman, perfect for holiday treats. This international-inspired desserts ready in about 40 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 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp meringue powder
- 6 tbsp water
- as needed food coloring gel (black, orange, blue)
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Step 3: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a smooth dough forms.
- Step 4: Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a snowman-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place on ungreased baking sheets 1 inch apart.
- Step 5: Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 6: To prepare royal icing, beat 4 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp meringue powder, and 6 tbsp water in a large bowl on high speed for 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Step 7: Divide icing into bowls, tint with food coloring gel to create black for eyes and buttons, orange for carrot nose, and blue for scarf details.
- Step 8: Using piping bags fitted with small round tips, decorate cookies with snowman faces, buttons, and scarves. Let icing dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Snowman 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 Snowman 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 Snowman 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 Snowman 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 Snowman 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.
