Description
Create festive royal icing cookies for Thanksgiving with this simple recipe. These cookies are perfect for decorating and sharing with family and friends, making your holiday celebration extra special.
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (optional)
- 1 batch pre-baked sugar cookies (cooled completely)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the room-temperature egg whites until frothy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, whisking gently between additions until smooth and glossy.
- Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.
- Continue mixing until the icing forms stiff peaks.
- If using colors, divide the icing into smaller bowls. Add a tiny drop of gel food coloring to each bowl and stir gently until the color is even.
- Transfer the icing to piping bags or zip-top bags with a tiny corner snipped off.
- Outline the cooled sugar cookies with the icing.
- Flood the centers of the cookies with icing. Use a toothpick to spread the icing into corners if needed.
- Let the decorated cookies dry completely for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the icing.
- Adjust icing consistency with water (for thinning) or powdered sugar (for thickening) as needed, adding gradually.
- Layer cookies between parchment paper to protect designs when storing.
- For food safety, meringue powder can be substituted for egg whites (4 tbsp meringue powder + 6 tbsp water).
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
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