Oh my goodness, if you’re looking for a way to add some sweetness to your Thanksgiving celebrations, you’ve just stumbled upon the *perfect* recipe! These royal icing Thanksgiving cookies are not only beautiful with their vibrant colors and festive designs, but they also bring back the warmest memories of family gatherings and the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house. I remember my grandma meticulously decorating each cookie with so much love, and now I get to carry on that tradition. Trust me, when you see the smiles on your loved ones’ faces as they bite into these delicious treats, you’ll understand why these cookies are a must-have for the holiday season. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get started on making these charming cookies that are sure to be the highlight of your Thanksgiving table!
Ingredients for Royal Icing Thanksgiving Cookies
Alright, let’s gather our ingredients! You’ll need:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract for that lovely flavor
- 3 cups powdered sugar for the royal icing
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder to help with our icing stability
- 6-8 tablespoons water, added gradually to get the right consistency
Make sure to have everything measured out and ready to go; it makes the process so much smoother and more fun!
How to Prepare Royal Icing Thanksgiving Cookies
Preparing the Cookie Dough
Let’s dive right into making the cookie dough! Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C)—you want it nice and warm for baking later. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This is super important to get that even rise! In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes; trust me, this step is key for the perfect texture!
Now, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until everything is well combined. Gradually, stir in the dry ingredients until they’re just blended. Don’t overmix; we want the dough to stay tender. Once that’s done, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. Chilling it helps the cookies hold their shape when baking!
Rolling and Baking the Cookies
Once the dough is chilled, it’s time to roll it out! Dust your countertop with a bit of flour to prevent sticking, then roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out your favorite shapes—think turkeys, pumpkins, or leaves for that festive vibe! Place the cutouts on a lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie.
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Don’t rush this part; a little patience goes a long way! Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial, as you want them nice and firm before adding any icing!
Making and Applying Royal Icing
Now onto the star of the show—royal icing! In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add in the water, starting with 6 tablespoons. Mix until you achieve a smooth and glossy consistency. You want it to hold its shape but still be spreadable. If it’s too thick, add a splash more water, but be careful not to overdo it!
For decorating, I love using piping bags, but you can also use zip-top bags with the corner snipped off. Pipe your designs onto the cooled cookies—this is where you can really let your creativity shine! If you’d like to add colors, divide the icing into bowls and tint them with food coloring. Just remember, allow the icing to dry completely before stacking your cookies, or they’ll stick together. Happy decorating!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to follow steps make these cookies a breeze to prepare!
- The vibrant colors and festive designs bring cheer to any Thanksgiving table.
- Perfect for family bonding—let the kids help with decorating!
- Endless customization options to match your holiday theme.
- These cookies not only taste amazing but also look stunning as a centerpiece.
Tips for Success
Alright, let’s make sure your royal icing Thanksgiving cookies turn out absolutely perfect! First, when rolling out your dough, keep it chilled to ensure it doesn’t stick and shapes stay defined. If your icing is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar until you reach that ideal consistency. For storage, keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week—trust me, they’ll stay fresh and delicious! If you’re stacking them, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. And don’t forget to allow your icing to dry completely before moving them; this ensures your beautiful designs stay intact!
Nutritional Information
Each of these delightful royal icing Thanksgiving cookies is approximately 150 calories. They contain about 7 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein, and 20 grams of carbohydrates. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used. Enjoy them in moderation as a festive treat!
FAQ Section
Can I use different flavors for the royal icing? Absolutely! You can swap out the vanilla for other extracts like lemon or peppermint to add a unique twist to your royal icing Thanksgiving cookies.
How do I fix my royal icing if it’s too runny? If your icing is too runny, just add a little more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. It should hold its shape but still be easy to spread or pipe.
What’s the best way to store decorated cookies? Store your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Just be sure to let the icing dry completely before stacking them to avoid any smudging!
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough and chill it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just let it sit at room temperature for a bit before rolling it out.
How long does royal icing take to dry? Typically, royal icing takes about 6-8 hours to dry completely, depending on the humidity and thickness of your designs. Patience is key for those beautiful results!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your royal icing Thanksgiving cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need to reheat them (though they’re best enjoyed at room temp), just pop them in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds—just enough to warm them slightly. Enjoy!
Print
Royal icing Thanksgiving cookies that evoke joyful memories
- Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These royal icing Thanksgiving cookies are perfect for celebrating the holiday. They are decorated with vibrant colors and festive designs.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6–8 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add egg and extracts to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
- For royal icing, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth.
- Decorate cookies with royal icing as desired.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use food coloring to tint royal icing for different designs.
- Allow icing to dry completely before stacking cookies.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: royal icing thanksgiving cookies
