Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

INGREDIENTS 

• 2½ cups of cake flour (not self rising)
• 1 t. baking powder
• ¼ t. salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 1 t. almond extract 

DIRECTIONS 

1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat until fluffy, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the egg and extracts.
4. Beat in flour mixture on low setting and until incorporated.
5. Divide the dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate until firm, about one hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
7. Roll dough on floured surface and cut out shapes.
8. Cook for 12-15 minutes. 

ROYAL ICING 

• ¾ cup confectioners sugar
• 2 T. meringue powder
• 5 T. water, plus more if needed

Mix together.  For icing flooding, icing should be thinner.

Recipe Image: Mary's Recipies