Snowflake Royal Icing Cookies: Bake a Winter Wonderland
Snowflake Royal Icing Cookies: Bake a Winter Wonderland
[Echoes Recipe] How to Make Delicate Snowflake Royal Icing Cookies
Embrace the winter season with these enchanting snowflake-shaped royal icing cookies! Their beautiful appearance and delightful taste make them perfect for gifting or simply enjoying a cozy moment. These cookies bring a touch of magic to your baking adventures, reminiscent of a gentle snowfall. Let’s bake these stunning treats together!
Cookie Dough Ingredients- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 80g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 250g cake flour (all-purpose flour can be substituted)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Royal Icing Ingredients- 2 large egg whites
- 10+ tbsp confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar), sifted
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1.5 tbsp mint syrup
- 300ml water (for thinning icing)
- 2 large egg whites
- 10+ tbsp confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar), sifted
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1.5 tbsp mint syrup
- 300ml water (for thinning icing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter using an electric mixer or whisk until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the granulated sugar in two additions, beating well after each addition until the mixture is light and pale yellow.
Step 2
Add the egg to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until well combined. Ensure the egg is fully incorporated to prevent the dough from becoming greasy.
Step 3
Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt over the wet ingredients. Sifting helps to aerate the flour and remove any lumps, ensuring a tender cookie.
Step 4
Gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or scraper until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Step 5
Once the flour is no longer visible, bring the dough together with your hands to form a cohesive ball. If the dough feels too soft, you can chill it briefly before proceeding.
Step 6
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 40 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out and cut shapes from.
Step 7
While the cookie dough is chilling, prepare the royal icing. In a clean bowl, place the egg whites. Ensure no yolk contaminates the whites, as this can prevent them from whipping properly.
Step 8
Prepare the fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice helps to cut through the sweetness of the icing and adds a subtle brightness.
Step 9
Add the sifted confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice to the egg whites in the bowl.
Step 10
Using an electric mixer or whisk, begin to beat the icing mixture. It will be very stiff initially due to the sugar. As you continue to whip, it will become whiter and smoother. Gradually add a little water at a time, mixing between additions, until you reach your desired piping consistency. The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape but still flow smoothly.
Step 11
Take a portion of the white royal icing and set it aside. Add the mint syrup to this portion and mix well to create a mint-flavored and colored icing.
Step 12
Stir the mint icing until it’s uniformly colored and well combined with the syrup. This is your decorative mint icing.
Step 13
Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Place it between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to an even thickness of about 3-4mm. Use cookie cutters to cut out your snowflake shapes. Aim for consistent thickness so the cookies bake evenly.
Step 14
Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If the dough becomes too soft to handle, place it in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes to firm up before cutting.
Step 15
Preheat your oven to 160-170°C (320-340°F). Place the baking sheet with the cookies into the preheated oven. Baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the cookies; thinner cookies may take around 10 minutes, while thicker ones might need 12-15 minutes. Look for slightly golden edges as an indicator they are done.
Step 16
Once baked, carefully transfer the cookies from the baking sheet to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before decorating. This ensures the icing adheres properly and prevents the cookies from breaking.
Step 17
Once the cookies are completely cool, use a spatula or piping bag to apply a smooth, even layer of the white royal icing to cover the cookie surface. This will be your base layer. Let this white icing dry completely before adding further decorations.
Step 18
After the white icing has fully hardened, you can add optional decorations like sprinkles or edible glitter. This step is entirely up to your preference and creativity.
Step 19
Finally, use the mint icing (with a fine tip or piping bag) to draw delicate lines and patterns to create the snowflake effect on top of the dried white icing. Alternatively, if you love the mint flavor, you can use the mint icing as the base coat. Once all icing is applied, allow it to dry completely.
Step 20
Voilà! Your beautiful snowflake royal icing cookies are ready. Enjoy your delightful winter treats!
