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Perfect Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bites Easy Homemade Royal Icing Recipe

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These bite-sized sugar cookies topped with smooth, glossy red, white, and blue royal icing are perfect for patriotic celebrations and any festive occasion. The cookies stay soft with a delicate crunch, while the royal icing dries firm without cracking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon (4 g) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) milk
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder equivalent
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water
  • Gel food coloring: red and blue (AmeriColor gel recommended)

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  2. Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. (5 minutes)
  3. Add egg and vanilla: beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. (2 minutes)
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: with mixer on low, gradually add dry ingredients alternately with milk. Mix just until incorporated; do not overmix. Dough should be soft but rollable. (3 minutes)
  5. Chill dough: flatten dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (1 hour)
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. (10 minutes)
  7. Roll and cut cookies: lightly flour surface and rolling pin. Roll dough to ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Cut shapes with star and circle cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on baking sheets. (15 minutes)
  8. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes until edges are just turning golden. Centers will be soft but will firm as they cool. Avoid overbaking. (8–10 minutes)
  9. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before icing. (30 minutes)
  10. Prepare royal icing: whisk powdered sugar, pasteurized egg whites (or meringue powder), lemon juice, and water until smooth and pipeable. Divide into three bowls.
  11. Color the icing: add red gel food coloring to one bowl, blue to another, and leave one white. Mix well. (5 minutes)
  12. Decorate: using piping bags with small round tips, outline cookie shapes with icing, then flood centers with thinned icing. Use a toothpick to spread evenly and pop air bubbles. Let dry completely before stacking or storing, about 4 hours or overnight. (30 minutes active decorating)

Notes

Use pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder for safety. Adjust royal icing consistency by adding water or powdered sugar as needed. Chill dough to ensure clean cookie shapes. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Practice piping on parchment paper if new to decorating.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic sugar cookies, royal icing, sugar cookie bites, holiday cookies, easy sugar cookies, homemade royal icing, Fourth of July cookies

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/perfect-patriotic-sugar-cookie-bites-easy-homemade-royal-icing-recipe/