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Perfect Apple Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe Easy Step-by-Step Guide

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These apple shaped sugar cookies with royal icing are a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat with a tender texture and smooth, glossy icing. Perfect for gifting, parties, or cozy afternoons, this easy recipe delivers charming, delicious cookies anyone can bake.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature but not melted)
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5–6 tablespoons warm water
  • Gel food coloring (red, green, and brown)
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy and light, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add egg and vanilla: beat in egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  4. Combine wet and dry: gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture in three additions, alternating with milk; mix on low speed just until dough forms, avoiding overmixing.
  5. Chill dough: divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Roll and cut: roll one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness; cut apple shapes with cookie cutters and transfer to baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges just start to turn golden; watch closely to avoid overbaking.
  9. Cool cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before icing.
  10. Prepare royal icing: combine powdered sugar and meringue powder in a clean bowl; add warm water and beat on high for 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form; adjust water as needed for consistency.
  11. Color the icing: divide icing into small bowls and tint with gel food coloring (red for apples, green for leaves, brown for stems).
  12. Decorate: use piping bags with small round tips to outline and flood cookies; start with red base, then add leaf and stem details once dry; use toothpicks to smooth edges and fix mistakes.
  13. Dry completely: allow decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

Notes

Chill dough well to prevent spreading and maintain shape. Adjust royal icing consistency carefully for outlining and flooding. Use gel food coloring to avoid changing icing texture. Allow icing to dry fully (4+ hours or overnight) for best results. Practice piping on parchment before decorating. Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days or freeze undecorated dough up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple shaped sugar cookies, royal icing cookies, decorated sugar cookies, easy sugar cookies, holiday cookies, baking, cookie decorating

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/perfect-apple-shaped-sugar-cookies-recipe-easy-step-by-step-guide/