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Easy Sparkling Firework Sugar Cookies Recipe Perfect for Holidays

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These festive sugar cookies are quick and easy to make, featuring a buttery base topped with glossy royal icing and sparkling sugar decorations, perfect for holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (345 grams), sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (226 grams), softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300 grams)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 grams), sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder (or 2 large egg whites)
  • 5 to 6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sparkling sugar or sanding sugar in assorted colors (red, blue, silver)
  • Pinch of edible glitter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Dough (15 minutes): In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In your mixer bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add Eggs & Vanilla (2 minutes): Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add vanilla extract and mix briefly until combined.
  3. Combine Dry & Wet Ingredients (3 minutes): Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
  4. Chill the Dough (at least 1 hour): Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate. For quicker chilling, 30 minutes is possible but expect more spreading.
  5. Roll & Cut (15 minutes): Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour surface and roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut shapes with firework or star cookie cutters. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets.
  6. Bake (10-12 minutes): Bake until edges just turn golden. Remove and cool on wire racks before decorating.
  7. Prepare Royal Icing (10 minutes): In a clean bowl, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add warm water and vanilla extract, beat on medium-high until stiff peaks form (7-10 minutes). Adjust consistency as needed.
  8. Decorate (30 minutes): Outline cookies with royal icing using piping bags. Let outline dry 10 minutes, then flood centers with thinner icing. Sprinkle colored sparkling sugar while wet. Let dry completely (at least 4 hours or overnight) before stacking or storing.

Notes

Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading. Use meringue powder for safer royal icing. Let icing dry fully before stacking to avoid smudging. Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating cookies. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to one week or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, royal icing, holiday cookies, festive cookies, sparkling sugar, easy cookies, 4th of July cookies, firework cookies

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/easy-sparkling-firework-sugar-cookies-recipe-perfect-for-holidays/