My daughter Courtney wanted to experiment and try out royal icing so I made some Christmas sugar cookies and we gave it a go.  Let’s just say we need more practice, it’s definitely a practiced talent although we didn’t do too bad for a first effort.  And, by the way, these sugar cookies are delicious!

cookies

2 cups butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla

5 cups flour

icing

3/4 cup warm water

1/3 cup meringue powder

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 1/4 pounds powdered sugar

1  For the cookies, mix butter and sugar on medium until combined.  Add eggs, one at a time.  Continue mixing and add salt and vanilla.

2  Stop mixer, add flour, cover with towel to prevent a flour explosion and mix just until combined.

3  Roll out on floured surface to 1/4 – 3/8″ thick.  Cut with cookie cutters. Place on parchment lined cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 10 – 12 minutes or until edges are golden and centers no longer look wet.  Allow to cool.

4  For the icing, combine water and meringue powder in mixer bowl and whisk for 30 seconds.  Add cream of tartar and whisk for 30 more seconds.

5  Add powdered sugar and mix on low for 10 minutes.  Tint with food coloring.  (My frosting was way too thick so I had to had quite a bit of water to get it to the right consistency.)

recipe from A Side of Sweet