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Soft Spring Sugar Cookies with Pastel Icing Designs

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Soft, tender sugar cookies with a buttery vanilla flavor and a hint of lemon zest, decorated with vibrant pastel icing perfect for spring celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon (optional)
  • For the pastel icing:
  • 2 ½ cups (300 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3–4 tablespoons (45–60 ml) milk
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) light corn syrup
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring in pastel pink, blue, yellow, and green

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  3. Cream butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and lemon zest if using. Scrape down sides to combine.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Chill dough 15-20 minutes if too sticky.
  6. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with palm or sugar-dusted glass bottom.
  7. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft. Do not overbake.
  8. Cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  9. Prepare icing by mixing powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust milk for spreadable consistency.
  10. Divide icing into small bowls and tint with gel food coloring to desired pastel shades.
  11. Decorate cooled cookies using piping bags or squeeze bottles with pastel icing designs. Let icing set at room temperature for at least 1 hour before storing.

Notes

Do not overmix dough after adding flour to keep cookies soft. Chill dough if sticky for easier shaping. Use gel food coloring for vibrant pastel icing without thinning. If icing dries while decorating, add a teaspoon of milk to refresh. Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months with parchment paper between layers.

Nutrition

Keywords: soft sugar cookies, spring cookies, pastel icing, Easter cookies, homemade sugar cookies, easy sugar cookies, buttery cookies, vanilla cookies

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/soft-spring-sugar-cookies-recipe-easy-homemade-pastel-icing-designs-tutorial/