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Perfect Decorated Diploma Sugar Cookies Easy for Celebrations and Parties

decorated diploma sugar cookies - featured image
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These decorated diploma sugar cookies are perfect for graduations and celebrations, combining a buttery texture with smooth royal icing for a charming and delicious treat.

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)
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder mixed with 6 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Food coloring gel in black, red, and blue
  • Optional: edible gold dust or shimmer
  • Optional: miniature edible pearls or sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. (5 minutes)
  2. Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. (5 minutes)
  3. Add egg and vanilla: beat in egg and vanilla extract until combined. (2 minutes)
  4. Combine wet and dry: gradually add dry ingredients alternating with milk, mixing just until incorporated. Dough should be soft but not sticky. (5 minutes)
  5. Chill dough: divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (1 hour minimum)
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. (10 minutes)
  7. Roll and cut: roll dough to ¼ inch thickness, cut diploma shapes or rectangles approx. 3 x 1.5 inches, and small circles for seals. Transfer to baking sheets. (15 minutes)
  8. Bake: bake for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden. Cool on pans 5 minutes, then on wire racks completely. (10-15 minutes)
  9. Prepare royal icing: mix powdered sugar with egg whites or meringue powder mixture and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust consistency for piping or flooding. Tint with food coloring. (10 minutes)
  10. Decorate: pipe outlines and details with icing, let each layer dry 15 minutes before adding more. Add edible pearls or shimmer dust as desired. (30-45 minutes)
  11. Dry completely: allow decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight before storing or packing.

Notes

Chill dough well to prevent spreading. Use royal icing with correct consistency for best decorating results. Let each icing layer dry before adding details to avoid bleeding. Practice piping on parchment paper if new to decorating. Dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for 1 month. Decorated cookies keep fresh 5 days at room temperature or can be frozen after icing sets.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, decorated cookies, diploma cookies, graduation cookies, party cookies, royal icing, celebration treats

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/perfect-decorated-diploma-sugar-cookies-easy-for-celebrations-and-parties/