Shamrock Sugar Cookies Green (Printable Version)

Buttery shamrock-shaped sugar cookies topped with smooth green royal icing, ideal for festive treats.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sugar Cookies

01 - 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 0.25 teaspoon salt
04 - 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 0.5 teaspoon almond extract, optional

→ Green Royal Icing

09 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2 tablespoons meringue powder
11 - 3 to 4 tablespoons water, room temperature
12 - 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Green gel food coloring

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
03 - Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together without overmixing.
05 - Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 0.25 inch thickness. Cut out shamrock shapes using a cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
08 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to golden. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Combine powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl. Add water and vanilla, then beat with a mixer on low speed until smooth and glossy, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
10 - Add green gel food coloring and mix until desired shade is achieved.
11 - Transfer icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Outline and flood the cooled cookies. Allow icing to set for at least 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dough is forgiving and stays workable, so even if your first shamrock looks lopsided, the flavor makes up for it.
  • Royal icing gives you that satisfying decorating moment where plain cookies transform into something worthy of displaying.
02 -
  • If your icing is too thick, add water a teaspoon at a time; too thin and it won't hold shape, so beat it longer instead of adding more water.
  • Room temperature water really does matter when making royal icing—cold water takes forever to incorporate and can throw off your mixing time.
03 -
  • If your kitchen is warm, work with smaller batches of dough and keep the rest chilled so it doesn't get soft and lose its shape during cutting.
  • Meringue powder can sometimes contain egg as a base ingredient, so always check the label if you're baking for someone with egg allergies.
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