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Perfect Thank You Teacher Cookie Gift Box Recipe with Easy Royal Icing Tutorial

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A reliable and easy sugar cookie recipe decorated with smooth royal icing, perfect for thoughtful teacher gifts. The cookies have a buttery base with crisp edges and soft centers, decorated with a simple yet elegant royal icing technique.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (345 g)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (227 g), softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp milk (whole or 2%), can substitute almond milk
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 g), sifted
  • 3 tbsp pasteurized egg whites or 2 tbsp meringue powder + water
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • Food coloring gels (optional)
  • Optional decorations: edible glitter or sanding sugar, mini sprinkles
  • For gift box: decorative box or cellophane bags, ribbon or twine, gift tags

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cookie Dough: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes). Add egg and vanilla; mix to combine. Gradually add dry ingredients alternated with milk, mixing on low until just incorporated. Form dough into a disc, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  2. Roll and Cut the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut shapes with cookie cutters and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Re-roll scraps as needed.
  3. Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just golden. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  4. Make the Royal Icing: Combine powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder with water), and lemon juice in a bowl. Beat on low then high speed until stiff peaks form (5-7 minutes). Divide and tint with food coloring if desired. Adjust consistency with water or powdered sugar for outlining (thicker) or flooding (thinner).
  5. Decorate the Cookies: Outline cookies with thicker icing; let set 10 minutes. Flood inside with thinner icing; use toothpick to spread and pop bubbles. Add sprinkles or edible glitter while icing is wet. Let dry at room temperature for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  6. Assemble the Gift Box: Arrange decorated cookies in a decorative box or wrap individually in cellophane bags. Tie with ribbon and add gift tags.

Notes

Chill dough well to prevent spreading and make cutting easier. Sift powdered sugar to avoid lumps in icing. Outline cookies before flooding to keep colors neat. Let icing dry overnight for best results. If icing is too runny, let it thicken before piping. Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days or freeze up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Keywords: teacher gift cookies, royal icing cookies, sugar cookies, easy decorated cookies, homemade teacher gifts, cookie gift box, royal icing tutorial

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