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Perfect Patriotic Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Stars

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These patriotic sugar cookies feature a tender, buttery dough with a perfect snap, decorated with smooth, glossy royal icing stars. Ideal for summer holidays and celebrations, they combine simplicity with festive charm.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 3 cups (360 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5–6 tablespoons water, adjust to consistency
  • Red and blue gel food coloring
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined, scraping sides as needed.
  4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, mixing on low speed just until dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap tightly in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Roll one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch (6 mm) thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer to baking sheets spaced 1 inch apart.
  8. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges just start to turn golden. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
  9. Prepare royal icing by beating powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until thick but pipeable. Divide and tint with red and blue gel colors.
  10. Fill piping bags fitted with small round tips. Outline stars in white or colored icing and flood gently with thinner icing. Use a toothpick to spread evenly if needed. Let dry at least 4 hours or overnight.

Notes

Use softened butter, not melted, for best dough texture. Chill dough to prevent spreading and keep cookie shapes sharp. Use gel food coloring to avoid thinning royal icing. Outline stars before flooding to keep colors neat. Practice piping on parchment paper if new to decorating. Work in a cool, dry space to ensure icing dries properly. Keep a toothpick handy for small icing corrections.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic sugar cookies, royal icing stars, 4th of July cookies, holiday baking, sugar cookies recipe, easy sugar cookies, festive cookies

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