• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Butter Half logo

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Breads and Pastries
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • Cookbook
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Breads and Pastries
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
      • Appetizers and Snacks
      • Breads and Pastries
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Desserts
      • Drinks and Smoothies
      • Main Dishes
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Wraps
      • Sauces and Dressings
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups and Stews
      • Instant Pot Recipes
    • About
      • Work With Me
      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer & Disclosure
    • Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    The Butter Half / Recipe Index / Desserts / How to Make Holiday Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

    How to Make Holiday Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

    By Abbey Rodriguez • Published: Dec 6, 2016 • Modified: Nov 23, 2022 • Leave a Comment • This post may contain affiliate links.

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT

    Making Christmas sugar cookies is a staple in our household, and I think it's safe to say it's a staple in yours too. Today I am teaching you how to make holiday sugar cookies with royal icing so you can take your baking game to the next level. (Santa will put you on the ice list for all your extra effort.)

    Holiday Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are perfect for your artsy side. Take your holiday cookies to the next level with these tips. || The Butter Half #sugarcookies #holidaycookies #royalicingtips #thebutterhalf

    You can use my family recipe for baking sugar cookies from scratch, or go the simplified route and use the Foodstirs organic sugar cookie mix. Either path will bring you an insanely delicious batch of sugar cookies.

    How to Make Holiday Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing | homemade royal icing, holiday sugar cookies, christmas cookie icing, royal icing recipe, holiday cookie decorating, homemade christmas cookies || The Butter Half via @thebutterhalf #royalicing #christmascookies #homemadecookies

    Holiday Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are perfect for your artsy side

    Also, I need to mention that piping royal icing takes patience. LOTS of patience. Reserve a few practice cookies until you get the hang of it.

    The basic steps of applying royal icing go as follows:

    1. Outline the edge of your cookie with a #1 or #2 piping tip. Let is set for a couple minutes.
    2. Then, "flood" the center of the cookie inside the icing. Use an offset spatula to smooth out the icing and fill in all holes while wet, then let it set for about 10 minutes.
    3. If you're adding fancy sprinkles, make sure you apply them while the royal icing is wet so they stick. However, make sure the other colors that you do NOT want sprinkles on are already set.

    Got it? Okay, cool.

    Grab the recipe for these cookies below, and enjoy!

    How to Make Holiday Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

    By: Abbey Rodriguez
    PRINT PIN RECIPE
    Making Christmas sugar cookies is a staple in our household, and I think it's safe to say it's a staple in yours too. Today I am teaching you how to make holiday sugar cookies with royal icing so you can take your baking game to the next level. (Santa will put you on the ice list for all your extra effort.)
    Prep Time 1 hour
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
    Servings: 24 cookies
    Calories: 133kcal

    Ingredients

    For the sugar cookies:

    • 1 package Foodstirs Sweet Tooth Sugar Cookie Mix
    • 1 large egg
    • 12 tablespoons butter cold and cubed

    For the royal icing:

    • 3 large egg whites
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 4 cups powdered sugar
    • Gel food dye
    • Sprinkles

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on low speed until creamy, then blend in egg.
    • Slowly add in sugar cookie mix and blend until incorporated.
    • Gather dough in a ball and flatten into a disc. Wrap dough in plastic and freeze for 20 minutes, until dough is firm.
    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove dough from freezer. Place dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll to about ¼" thick. Cut with desired holiday cookie cutters. Place cookies 1" apart on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges lightly browned. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.
    • While cookies cool, prepare the royal icing. In a mixing bowl, whisk egg whites and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on low speed, until foamy. Slowly add in powdered sugar until the shiny and stiff peaks form.
    • Divide icing into separate bowls for desired icing colors. Mix in a pea-sized amount of gel food dye until blended. Pour each color into separate piping bags, fitted with a #2 icing tip. Create an icing outline on the sugar cookies first. Let set for about 5 minutes, then flood the middle with icing until completely filled and smooth. Add any desired sprinkles or accessories while icing is wet. Let icing set, then add additional frosting decorations and details. Serve and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 11mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg

    Sharing is caring!

    770 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Abbey! Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist | I healed my body using holistic nutrition and herbs. And I believe you can, too. Here you will find nourishing recipes and wellness tips for the family, as well as my herbal cookbook, Root & Nourish. Because you can achieve your ultimate wellness goals using plants and whole foods.

    More about me →

    Reader Favorites

    • 15 Minute Instant Pot Italian Meatballs
    • Easy Baked Frittata Recipe with Spinach (Gluten-Free)
    • Easy No-Bake Cookies with Chocolate Chips and Peanut Butter
    • Home Remedy Ear Infection Drops That Actually Work

    Summer Recipes

    • Easy Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins
    • Easy and Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
    • 30-Minute Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
    • Healthy Berry Crisp (Gluten Free + Vegan)
    As seen in Pop Sugar, The Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, Shape, and more.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    As seen on...

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 The Butter Half