Decorated Sugar Cookies

Definitely the most time consuming cookie (hence the late post today), but these are so worth it in the end!  I've been through many sugar cookie recipes, and finally landed on the perfect recipe.  I also experimented with royal icing and tried a new recipe today.  The end result is these cute trees, Christmas light bulbs & ornaments.

Sugar Cookies

Yield ~40
1 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 ½ t. almond extract
1 t. vanilla
1 t. salt
2 ½ c. sifted flour

Directions:Cream butter. Add powdered sugar. Blend in egg, almond extract, vanilla, salt and flour. Chill dough until firm. Roll to ¼” thickness on well-floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 min. Cookies should not brown. Frost and decorate when cool. 

Source: from Annies-eats.com

Royal Icing

3 oz pasteurized egg whites

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

Whisk the egg whites and vanilla in a stand mixer on medium until frothy.  Add powdered sugar slowly and mix until combined.  Turn the speed up to high and mix 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form.  Color as desired.  To thin, add water by the 1/2 tsp until you reach flooding consistency.