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Perfect Apple Shaped Sugar Cookies Easy Royal Icing Tutorial

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These apple shaped sugar cookies feature a tender, buttery texture topped with smooth, glossy royal icing that dries perfectly. Ideal for fall celebrations, they are easy to make and decorate with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 g), sifted
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (227 g), softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 g), sifted
  • 3 tbsp pasteurized egg whites (or meringue powder as alternative)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Red and green food coloring gels
  • A few teaspoons water to adjust icing consistency

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes with a mixer on medium speed.
  2. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  3. Stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt.
  5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness.
  8. Use an apple-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
  9. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden. Avoid overbaking.
  10. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely before decorating.
  11. Prepare royal icing by beating 4 cups sifted powdered sugar with 3 tbsp pasteurized egg whites and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice until glossy.
  12. Add a few teaspoons of water gradually to reach a thick but smooth piping consistency.
  13. Divide icing into small bowls and color with red and green food coloring gels.
  14. Use red icing to flood apple shapes leaving a small border; let dry 10-15 minutes.
  15. Pipe green leaves and brown stems with thicker icing; use a toothpick to smooth edges or add leaf veins.
  16. Let decorated cookies dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight to harden icing fully.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain crisp apple shapes. Use pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder for safe and stable royal icing. Let icing dry overnight for best results. Adjust icing consistency by adding powdered sugar to thicken or water to thin. Keep rolling pin and cookie cutter lightly floured to prevent sticking.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple shaped sugar cookies, royal icing, fall cookies, easy sugar cookies, holiday baking, apple cookies, decorated cookies

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/perfect-apple-shaped-sugar-cookies-easy-royal-icing-tutorial/