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Perfect Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Royal Icing Tutorial

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These charming conversation heart sugar cookies are soft with crisp edges and topped with smooth royal icing, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion. The recipe includes tips for perfect dough and icing consistency for beautiful, personalized messages.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature, not melted)
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk (or any milk you prefer)
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5–6 tablespoons warm water (adjust to desired consistency)
  • Food coloring gels (pastels like pink, purple, yellow, green, and white)
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract for subtle flavor

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups (345 g) flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand or hand mixer, beat 1 cup (227 g) softened unsalted butter with 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
  3. Add Egg, Vanilla, and Milk: Beat in 1 large room-temperature egg, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons milk until combined, about 1 minute.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture in two batches, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Chill the Dough: Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
  7. Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll one disk of dough to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Use conversation heart cookie cutters to cut shapes, then transfer cookies to baking sheets about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.
  8. Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges just begin to turn golden. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  9. Prepare Royal Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine 4 cups (480 g) sifted powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons meringue powder, and 5 tablespoons warm water. Beat on low, then high speed for about 7 minutes until stiff peaks form. Adjust water to get two consistencies: thicker for outlining, thinner for flooding.
  10. Color and Pipe: Divide icing into small bowls and tint with gel food coloring. Fit piping bags with small round tips (#1 or #2). Outline each cookie shape with thick icing and let set for 10 minutes. Then flood the inside with thinner icing, using a toothpick to spread evenly and pop air bubbles.
  11. Decorate Messages: Once flood icing is semi-dry (about 15 minutes), pipe short messages or words on each cookie.
  12. Dry Completely: Let cookies dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Notes

Use room temperature butter for best dough texture. Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading. Sift powdered sugar to avoid clumps in royal icing. Adjust royal icing consistency for outlining and flooding. Let decorated cookies dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. Store cookies in airtight containers with parchment layers to prevent sticking. For gluten-free or dairy-free options, substitute flour and butter accordingly. Avoid refrigerating decorated cookies to prevent icing sweating.

Nutrition

Keywords: conversation heart cookies, sugar cookies, royal icing, Valentine's Day cookies, easy sugar cookies, decorated cookies, cookie decorating, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/perfect-conversation-heart-sugar-cookies-recipe-with-easy-royal-icing-tutorial/