Snowmen Sugar Cookies
The holiday season isn’t complete without a batch of soft, buttery Snowmen Sugar Cookies! These cookies are perfectly sweet, hold their shape beautifully, and are so much fun to decorate. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party, a cookie exchange, or just a festive night in, they’re sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract optional, for extra flavor
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 5 –6 tbsp warm water
- Gel food coloring optional, for decorating
Instructions
Making the Sugar Cookies:
- Cream Butter & Sugar – In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Wet Ingredients – Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough – Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). This helps the cookies hold their shape when baked.
- Roll & Cut – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use snowman cookie cutters (or any shape you like!) to cut out the cookies.
- Bake – Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let them cool completely before decorating.
Making the Royal Icing:
- Mix – In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 5 tbsp of warm water. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until stiff peaks form. If the icing is too thick, add a little more water, ½ tsp at a time.
- Color & Decorate – Divide icing into bowls and add gel food coloring if desired. Transfer to piping bags and decorate your snowmen however you like!
- Set the Icing – Let the icing dry completely before stacking or storing the cookies. This can take a few hours, depending on humidity.
