Description
Sweet marble swirls dance through these sugar cookies, creating delightful patterns that surprise and charm dessert enthusiasts. Crisp edges and delicate centers promise a delectable treat you’ll savor with pure baking joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (177 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (113 g) full fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Icing Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) room temperature water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla or almond extract
- Extra water for consistency
- Gel food coloring
Instructions
- Cream the softened butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until uniformly smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually incorporate sugar, continuously beating until the mixture becomes light and airy.
- Introduce egg and vanilla/almond extracts, blending thoroughly to create a cohesive mixture.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder to eliminate potential lumps.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent tough cookies.
- Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours to enhance flavor and improve texture.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/3 inch thickness and cut desired shapes using cookie cutters.
- Transfer cut shapes to parchment-lined baking sheets and chill for 15 minutes to maintain crisp edges.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges are delicately golden.
- Prepare royal icing by combining powdered sugar and meringue powder in a clean mixing bowl.
- Gradually add water and extract, whipping until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Adjust icing consistency by adding water incrementally for smooth flooding technique.
- Separate icing into portions and tint with gel food coloring for decorative design.
- Apply decorative techniques like marbling or dipping to create intricate cookie designs.
- Allow decorated cookies to dry completely for approximately 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Take butter and cream cheese out 30-60 minutes before baking to reach room temperature for smoother mixing.
- Gently spoon flour into measuring cup and level with knife to avoid dense, tough cookies.
- Work with small portions of dough when rolling to maintain consistent thickness and prevent overworking.
- Use squeeze bottles for precise decorating and easier color control when creating intricate designs.
- Prep Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg