Rain or Shine Easter Activity: Decorating Easter Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe & Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Cream butter & sugar, beat in eggs and vanilla, blend in dry ingredients. Chill dough 1 hour or overnight. Roll out 1/4" - 1/2" thick, cut to shape, bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Cool completely before decorating.

Recipe for Royal Icing:

Ingredients

• 1 pound (about 4 cups) powdered sugar
• 1 ounce (about 3 tbsp) meringue powder
• 2 fl. ounces (1/4 cup) water, plus more for thinning
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring

Directions

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer on high for 60-90 seconds.  Add more confectioners sugar to thicken the icing, or more water (1 tablespoon at a time) to thin the icing.