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Easy ABC Letter Cookies Recipe with Royal Icing for Perfect Fun Baking

Easy ABC Letter Cookies - featured image
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These Easy ABC Letter Cookies with royal icing are simple, sweet, and fun, perfect for playful baking projects with kids or creative gifts. The buttery, crisp cookies paired with smooth, glossy royal icing make a delightful treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 5 tablespoons water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract (optional)
  • Food coloring gels

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about ¼-inch (6mm) thickness.
  8. Use alphabet cookie cutters to cut out letters and place them about 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
  9. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges just start to turn golden. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
  10. Prepare royal icing by beating 3 cups sifted powdered sugar with 2 egg whites (or meringue powder mix) and ½ teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract until stiff peaks form, about 5-7 minutes.
  11. Divide icing into small bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
  12. Transfer icing to piping bags fitted with small round tips or use squeeze bottles. Pipe outlines and fill in each letter.
  13. Let icing dry for several hours or overnight for a firm finish.

Notes

Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and keep crisp edges. Roll dough evenly for uniform baking. Do not overbake cookies; they firm up as they cool. Adjust royal icing consistency by adding water if too thick or powdered sugar if too runny. Let icing dry fully between layers to avoid smudging. Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating cookies. Sift powdered sugar well to avoid grainy icing. Cool cookies completely before icing to prevent melting.

Nutrition

Keywords: ABC cookies, letter cookies, royal icing, kids baking, fun baking, alphabet cookies, easy cookies, cookie decorating

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/easy-abc-letter-cookies-recipe-with-royal-icing-for-perfect-fun-baking/