Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show your love with a homemade treat, and these Valentine’s Day sugar cookies with royal icing are just the thing! Soft, buttery sugar cookies paired with a smooth, colorful royal icing create a festive and delicious treat that is perfect for the holiday. Whether you’re baking them for a party, to share with loved ones, or simply as a fun activity with the family, these cookies are sure to bring smiles to everyone who enjoys them.

This recipe is not only simple and fun to make but also dairy-free, making it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions. The combination of plant-based butter, plant milk, and vanilla extract gives the cookies a rich flavor, while the royal icing adds a sweet and glossy finish. Decorate them with vibrant food coloring to create heart shapes, or any other festive design, and let your creativity shine. These sugar cookies are the perfect canvas for all your Valentine’s Day celebrations!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Dairy-Free and Vegan

This recipe uses plant-based butter and plant milk, making it a great option for those who follow a vegan or dairy-free diet.

2. Simple Ingredients

Made with basic pantry staples, these cookies come together easily without the need for hard-to-find ingredients.

3. Customizable Designs

With royal icing and food coloring, you can decorate these cookies in any design you like, whether it’s hearts, flowers, or festive patterns.

4. Soft and Buttery Texture

These sugar cookies have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that is perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the royal icing.

5. Fun for All Ages

Baking and decorating these cookies is a fun activity for both kids and adults, making it a perfect way to spend time with family or friends.

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Plant-based butter (softened)
• Vanilla extract
• Plant milk
• Baking powder
• Salt

For the Royal Icing

• Powdered sugar
• Plant milk
• Vanilla extract
• Food coloring

Variations

• Flavor Options: You can add a teaspoon of almond extract or lemon zest to the dough for a burst of extra flavor.
• Different Icings: If you prefer a different icing, you can use a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and plant milk instead of royal icing.
• Cookie Shapes: Use heart-shaped, star-shaped, or other cookie cutters to create festive designs. You can even cut them into fun shapes like letters or animals.
• Decorative Toppings: Aside from royal icing, you can top the cookies with sprinkles, edible glitter, or even small candies for added decoration.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened plant-based butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and plant milk, mixing until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll it to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, such as hearts or circles, and place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

Step 4: Make the Royal Icing

While the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing. In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, plant milk (1 tablespoon at a time), and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Add food coloring to achieve the desired shade for your icing.

Step 5: Decorate the Cookies

Once the cookies have cooled, use a piping bag or a small spoon to decorate them with the royal icing. You can outline the cookies with a thicker consistency of icing, then flood the center with a thinner layer. Add more food coloring or sprinkles as desired for extra decoration.

Step 6: Let the Icing Set

Allow the royal icing to dry completely before serving or storing the cookies. This may take 1-2 hours, depending on the thickness of the icing.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Chill the Dough: If the dough is too soft to work with, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
• Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is ideal for royal icing because it provides vibrant colors without affecting the icing’s texture.
• Thick and Thin Royal Icing: To outline the cookies, use thicker royal icing. For flooding the cookie with icing, thin the royal icing by adding more plant milk.
• Piping Tip: If you’re new to piping, use a small round piping tip for outlining the cookies and a wider tip for flooding.

How to Serve

These Valentine’s Day sugar cookies with royal icing make a sweet gift for loved ones or a fun addition to a Valentine’s Day dessert table. They’re perfect for serving at a party, or you can enjoy them as a cozy treat with a cup of tea or coffee. They also make excellent lunchbox surprises or a festive after-school snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Be sure to layer parchment paper between the cookies to prevent the icing from sticking.

Freezing

If you’d like to make these cookies in advance, you can freeze the baked cookies before decorating. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, simply thaw the cookies and decorate them with royal icing.

Reheating

These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat them. If you’ve frozen them, allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular butter instead of plant-based butter?

Yes, if you’re not following a dairy-free diet, you can substitute regular butter for the plant-based butter.

2. Can I make the royal icing ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the royal icing ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to bring it to room temperature before using.

3. Can I use regular milk instead of plant milk?

Yes, you can use any type of milk you prefer, such as cow’s milk, in place of plant milk.

4. How do I make the royal icing smooth?

Ensure that you sift the powdered sugar before mixing it into the royal icing to avoid lumps. Also, add the plant milk gradually until the desired consistency is reached.

5. Can I decorate the cookies with something other than royal icing?

Yes, you can use a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and plant milk, or you can even dip the cookies in melted chocolate for a different flavor and texture.

6. Can I freeze these cookies after decorating?

Yes, you can freeze decorated cookies. Just make sure the royal icing is completely set before freezing to prevent smudging.

7. How can I thicken the royal icing if it’s too runny?

If your royal icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

8. Can I use store-bought royal icing?

Yes, store-bought royal icing is a convenient option if you’re short on time, but homemade royal icing generally tastes better.

9. How do I store the cookies so the icing doesn’t get ruined?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and separate layers with parchment paper to prevent the icing from sticking to other cookies.

10. Can I use a piping bag to decorate the cookies?

Yes, a piping bag is ideal for decorating cookies with royal icing. It allows for more control when outlining and flooding the cookies.

Conclusion

These Valentine’s Day sugar cookies with royal icing are a delightful and fun way to celebrate the season of love. With a soft, buttery cookie base and a smooth, glossy royal icing, these cookies are both delicious and beautiful. Whether you’re baking them for yourself or sharing them with others, they’re sure to bring joy and sweetness to the occasion. Plus, with their dairy-free ingredients and customizable designs, they are a perfect treat for anyone to enjoy. Make these cookies part of your Valentine’s Day tradition and spread the love with each delicious bite.

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