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Perfect Diploma-Shaped Sugar Cookies Easy Royal Icing Recipe Tutorial

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These diploma-shaped sugar cookies feature a tender, buttery dough and smooth royal icing, perfect for graduation celebrations or any festive occasion. The recipe is approachable for beginners and yields beautifully decorated cookies with crisp edges and a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
  • 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 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk (or dairy-free milk if needed)
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites (or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Food coloring gels (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups (345 g) flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  2. Using an electric mixer, beat 1 cup (227 g) softened unsalted butter with 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Then mix in 2 tablespoons whole milk.
  4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Use diploma-shaped cutter to cut out cookies. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  9. In a clean bowl, whisk 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar with 2 large egg whites and 1 teaspoon lemon juice until smooth and glossy. Adjust consistency with water or powdered sugar as needed. Divide and color if desired.
  10. Fill piping bags with icing. Outline cookies first, then flood centers with thinner icing. Use piping tips to add details like diploma scroll lines or writing. Let dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and ensure clean edges. Use fresh eggs and lemon juice for best royal icing texture. If icing dries out while decorating, add a few drops of water to soften. Let decorated cookies dry overnight for best results. Store decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature to avoid smudging.

Nutrition

Keywords: diploma sugar cookies, royal icing cookies, graduation cookies, decorated sugar cookies, easy sugar cookie recipe, festive cookies

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