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Perfect Mardi Gras Mask Sugar Cookies Recipe with Vibrant Royal Icing Tutorial

Mardi Gras mask sugar cookies - featured image
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Celebrate Mardi Gras with these festive mask-shaped sugar cookies featuring crisp edges and tender centers, decorated with vibrant royal icing in traditional purple, green, and gold colors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Food coloring gels in purple, green, and gold
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until combined. Scrape down the sides if needed.
  4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, roll out dough to ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness.
  7. Cut out mask shapes using cookie cutters and place on parchment-lined baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
  8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges start to turn golden. Rotate pan halfway through baking.
  9. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
  10. Prepare royal icing by beating egg whites or meringue powder with cream of tartar until foamy.
  11. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low until combined, then increase speed until stiff peaks form.
  12. Add lemon juice or vanilla for flavor. Adjust consistency with water for flooding or outlining.
  13. Divide icing into bowls and tint with purple, green, and gold gels.
  14. Use piping bags to outline masks and flood inside with thinner icing. Let dry 1-2 hours.
  15. Add details with thicker icing once base is dry. Allow decorations to dry fully before serving.

Notes

Chill dough well to prevent spreading. Cool cookies completely before icing to avoid runny designs. Sift powdered sugar for smooth icing. Adjust icing consistency carefully to avoid cracking or sliding. Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating cookies.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mardi Gras, sugar cookies, royal icing, festive cookies, mask cookies, colorful cookies, holiday baking

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/perfect-mardi-gras-mask-sugar-cookies-recipe-with-vibrant-royal-icing-tutorial/