Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter, softened: 1 cup
- Granulated Sugar: 1 1/2 cups
- Large Egg: 1
- All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Royal Icing Mix: 1 pound
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Step 2: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined to form a cohesive dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use round or star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown, then cool completely on a wire rack.
- Step 4: Prepare the royal icing according to package directions. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint them vibrant red, dark blue, and white using gel food coloring. Place the icing into piping bags fitted with small round tips (or use resealable bags with the corner snipped).
- Step 5: Decorate the cooled cookies by outlining and flooding them with base colors. While the icing is still wet, use contrasting colored icing to draw small lines radiating outward from the center of the cookie to mimic a bursting firework, and immediately sprinkle with edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles for maximum effect.
Notes
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to one week; refrigeration can dull the glossy finish of the royal icing.
- Do not attempt to reheat the finished, iced cookies as this will ruin the delicate royal icing decoration; they are designed to be enjoyed crisp and cool.
- Serve these vibrant, explosion-themed cookies alongside a sparkling punch or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to maximize the festive atmosphere.
- For the signature ‘fireworks’ effect, ensure the contrasting icing is applied immediately while the base flood color is still very wet, allowing the colors to bleed beautifully before pulling the lines outward.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American