Description
Classic Valentine’s Day sugar cookies adorned with royal icing showcase romantic decorating techniques from professional bakers. Delicate designs and sweet color palettes create charming treats you’ll proudly share with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 4 cups (454 g) powdered sugar
- 3 tbsps meringue powder
- 5–6 tbsps water
- Red gel food coloring
- Pink gel food coloring
- White gel food coloring
- Piping bags
- Decorating tips
- Toothpicks or scribe tool
Instructions
- Mix royal icing and segment into multiple containers, introducing gel food colorants to craft vibrant shades for decorative designs.
- Carefully load colored icings into piping equipment with narrow tips ensuring precise application and controlled flow.
- Delicately trace cookie perimeters with initial icing layer, allowing 10-minute stabilization period for clean structural foundation.
- Gently cascade secondary icing across outlined regions, utilizing delicate toothpick motions to distribute smoothly and eliminate potential air pockets.
- While base remains wet, embellish surfaces with complementary design elements like miniature hearts, intricate dots, or elegant swirls using contrasting colors.
- Create intricate patterns by layering wet-on-wet techniques or introduce dimensional accents after initial layer solidifies.
- Position decorated confections on clean surface, permitting complete atmospheric drying for approximately 4-6 hours to guarantee pristine presentation and structural integrity.
- Once thoroughly set, carefully package or display valentine-themed cookies, ensuring minimal handling to preserve delicate decorative elements.
Notes
- Try different gel food coloring shades to create unique, personalized Valentine’s Day cookie designs that match your style or party theme.
- Use a toothpick or small offset spatula to create smooth, even icing surfaces and prevent air bubbles for a professional-looking finish.
- For intricate details, wait until the base layer of royal icing is slightly set but still tacky, allowing decorative elements to blend seamlessly without sinking.
- Store decorated cookies in a single layer between parchment paper to prevent smudging and maintain their beautiful designs during transportation or gifting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg