Ingredients for the Vegan Royal Icing (to decorate 20 cookies)
1 ¾cupspowdered sugar
2tablespoonswater
½teaspoonvanilla extract
2tablespoonslight golden syrup
Instructions
Instructions for the Cookies
First, line or lightly grease two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, sugar and vanilla until just incorporated and a bit creamy. Don’t over work or the cookies will spread while baking.
Add the flour and salt. Mix until the dough comes together and clumps around the paddle attachment. Your dough is ready.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface, divide in two and flat them to make discs. Wrap with cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350ºF / 175 ºC.
Place the dough on a parchment paper, cover with another sheet of parchment paper and roll out ¼ inch (6mm) thick.
Use cookie cutters to cut out the shapes, place on the lined cookie sheets and bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown at the edges.
Let cool on the cookie sheet to firm up and then transfer to a cooling rack. You can eat them as they are or decorate with royal icing.
Instructions for the Royal Icing
In a medium bowl, mix all the icing ingredients. Beat until they are incorporated and the mixture starts getting glossy. You can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, a hand mixer or simply do it by hand with a whisk.
If using an electric mixer, mix on low speed to until smooth and then switch to medium speed for a few seconds. If it’s too thick, add some water, one teaspoon at a time.
Color the icing with food coloring. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip. I use Wilton round piping tip #4 for outlining and flooding the cookie.
Notes
USE COLD BUTTER. The butter will soften when you mix it with the sugar but the dough will be a bit cooler, which makes it easier to work with. REFRIGERATE THE DOUGH. Although this dough can be used straight of the mixing bowl, it’s advisable to refrigerate.BAKING TIME. Every oven is different. Baking time is quite accurate but keep in mind that cookies are done when the edges are slightly brown although the center may look a bit underdone.ONE BATCH AT A TIME. Unless you’ve got a professional oven, it’s much better to place just one tray in the center of the oven.NUTRITION INFORMATIONThe information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full nutrition disclosure.