Sparkly Golden Star Sugar Cookies: A Magical Royal Icing Recipe

Golden star sugar cookies sparkle with pure magic on any dessert table.

Sweet memories dance across kitchen counters when you mix these delightful treats.

Delicate edges and shimmering surfaces make each cookie feel like a celebration.

Homemade royal icing adds elegant dimension to these festive stars.

Crisp textures blend perfectly with smooth glittery accents that catch light beautifully.

Bakers of all skill levels can create these stunning confections with simple ingredients.

One bite promises to transport you into a world of sugary enchantment.

Jump into this delectable adventure and let your baking creativity shine!

Sugar Cookies That Glitter Like Stars and Taste Even Better

• Create Dazzling Desserts: Transform simple sugar cookies into stunning golden star treats that wow guests with their elegant and glamorous appearance.
• Quick and Easy Baking: Prepare these beautiful cookies with minimal effort, using basic pantry ingredients and straightforward techniques perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Party-Perfect Showstoppers: Design eye-catching cookies ideal for celebrations like birthdays, holidays, New Year's events, or special gatherings where you want to impress with sophisticated desserts.
• Customize with Creativity: Experiment with different glitter colors, decorative techniques, and embellishments to make each batch unique and personalized to your style or event theme.

Golden Star Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Creamy base for soft cookie texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden color.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for cookie.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor.

• Egg: Binds ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic cookie flavor.
• Almond Extract: Provides optional subtle nutty note.

Icing and Decoration Ingredients:

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, white royal icing.
• Meringue Powder: Stabilizes and gives structure to icing.
• Water: Adjusts icing consistency.

• Gold Edible Glitter: Adds sparkly festive touch.
• Sugar Pearls: Provides elegant finishing detail.

Baking Golden Star Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Step 1: Create Cookie Base

Mix softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes creamy and light. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Blend everything smoothly until ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until a consistent dough forms.

Step 3: Chill Cookie Dough

Shape dough into a compact disk. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum one hour. Chilling helps cookies maintain shape during baking.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Surface

Preheat oven to 350°F. Dust work surface with flour. Roll out chilled dough to quarter-inch thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutter to create festive shapes. Transfer cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake Cookies

Place cookie sheet in preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Remove and let cookies rest on baking sheet for few minutes. Transfer to wire cooling rack.

Step 6: Craft Royal Icing

• Powdered sugar
• Meringue powder
• Water

Adjust liquid consistency to create smooth, pipeable icing.

Step 7: Decorate with Glamour

Use piping bag with small round tip. Outline and fill each star-shaped cookie with royal icing. Sprinkle gold edible glitter in center. Add sugar pearls for elegant finishing touch.

Sugar Cookie Tips That Shine Like Golden Stars

• Create Perfect Dough Texture: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal cookie consistency, which helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth tender crumb.
• Chill for Crisp Edges: Refrigerating dough prevents spreading and maintains the sharp star shape during baking, guaranteeing clean, defined cookie outlines.
• Gentle Glitter Application: Sprinkle edible gold glitter immediately after flooding icing while still wet to help glitter adhere smoothly and prevent clumping.
• Control Icing Consistency: Add water or powdered sugar gradually when mixing royal icing to achieve the perfect flooding and piping thickness without becoming too runny.
• Handle with Care: Use a thin offset spatula or toothpick to adjust sugar pearls and glitter placement for precise, professional-looking decorative details on each golden star cookie.

Save Golden Star Cookies and Keep Them Looking Festive

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper separating each layer. Freeze flat for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Warm cookies briefly in the oven at 275°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy texture and maintain cookie quality.
• If serving within 24 hours, keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature. Ensure the area is cool and dry to prevent icing from melting or becoming sticky.

Star Sugar Cookies with Icing Companion Ideas

• Pair Sweet Champagne: Delicate golden sugar cookies match perfectly with a crisp, slightly sweet champagne like Moscato d'Asti, enhancing the buttery cookie flavor and adding elegant sparkle.
• Complement Vanilla Chai Latte: Warm, spiced chai tea with creamy vanilla notes creates a harmonious balance against the sweet, rich cookie, offering a comforting and indulgent experience.
• Match Dessert Wine: Late harvest Riesling provides a delightful pairing, with its honeyed sweetness and subtle acidity cutting through the cookie's richness while mirroring the golden glitter theme.
• Serve with Almond Liqueur: A smooth, nutty almond liqueur like Disaronno complements the cookie's almond extract undertones, creating a luxurious and sophisticated dessert moment.

Golden Star Sugar Cookie Decorating Styles

• Gluten-Free Star Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Golden Treats: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and swap meringue powder with aquafaba or vegan royal icing mix.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cookie's delightful flavor.
• Dairy-Free Sparkle Cookies: Use plant-based butter alternatives like margarine or coconut butter, keeping the recipe creamy and indulgent for those avoiding dairy.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading during baking?

Chill the dough for at least an hour before rolling and cutting. The cold dough helps cookies maintain their star shape and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling.

• What kind of edible glitter works best for these cookies?

Use food-grade gold edible glitter specifically designed for baking. These are safe for consumption and will give your cookies a beautiful, shimmery finish. Avoid craft glitter, which is not meant for food.

• How can I ensure my royal icing has the right consistency?

Start with a thick icing for outlining, then thin it slightly with water for flooding. The ideal consistency is like honey – it should flow smoothly but not be too runny. Test by drawing a line in the icing; it should disappear in 5-10 seconds.

Golden Star Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing And Edible Glitter Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sparkling golden star sugar cookies bring festive magic to holiday tables, dazzling guests with their elegant royal icing and shimmer of edible glitter. Sweet memories dance across palates, inviting you to savor each glittering, delicate bite of celestial cookie perfection.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Craft the cookie base by vigorously creaming butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, then incorporate egg, vanilla, and almond extracts until smoothly integrated.
2. Separately sift flour, baking powder, and salt, then gradually fold into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough but gentle incorporation without overmixing.
3. Form the dough into a compact disk, encase completely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for minimum 60 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and dough to firm.
4. Heat oven to 350°F and prepare a lightly floured workspace. Roll chilled dough to precise 1/4-inch thickness, using star-shaped cutters to create uniform cookies. Transfer delicate shapes onto parchment-lined baking sheets with careful precision.
5. Bake cookies until edges transform to a soft golden hue, approximately 8-10 minutes. Allow brief resting on baking sheet before transferring to wire cooling rack.
6. Construct royal icing by whisking powdered sugar and meringue powder, gradually adding water until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency perfect for piping.
7. Utilize a fine-tipped piping bag to meticulously outline and flood each star-shaped cookie. While icing remains wet, sprinkle gold edible glitter across center and strategically place sugar pearls for elegant embellishment.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the star shape during baking.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better cookie texture.
• Avoid overworking the dough to keep cookies tender and prevent toughness.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg