Pure Vanilla Sugar Cookies (Printable)

Classic vanilla sugar cookies decorated with glossy royal icing, ideal for parties and special occasions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sugar Cookie Dough

01 - 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 0.25 teaspoon salt
04 - 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 tablespoon milk

→ Royal Icing

09 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2 tablespoons meringue powder
11 - 4 to 5 tablespoons warm water
12 - 0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
13 - Gel food coloring in blue, yellow, and white for optional decoration

# Step-by-Step:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together.
05 - Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 0.25 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
08 - Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
09 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla, and 4 tablespoons water. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth and glossy, adding more water 1 teaspoon at a time for desired consistency.
11 - Divide icing into bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
12 - Decorate fully cooled cookies with royal icing using piping bags or squeeze bottles. Allow icing to set completely before serving or storing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dough is forgiving enough for beginners but yields cookies with that coveted snappy-tender texture that makes people pause mid-bite.
  • Royal icing dries hard and glossy, turning simple cookies into shareable gifts that actually survive in a box.
  • These taste like vanilla should taste—clean and genuine, not overpowered or artificial.
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling step—I learned this the hard way when a batch spread into one giant cookie sheet pancake.
  • Meringue powder and gel food coloring are non-negotiable if you want that glossy, professional icing that Instagram-worthy presentation demands.
03 -
  • Invest in gel food coloring and meringue powder before attempting this recipe—they transform the entire result from homemade to professional-looking.
  • A kitchen scale for flour eliminates the guesswork that turns some batches perfect and others dense; it's the one tool that genuinely changes outcomes.
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