Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies

Instructions

1. 1

   Use a whisk to beat the butter, sugar and salt together until you have a creamy consistency.

2. 2

   Add the egg and mix it in until fully incorporated.

3. 3

   Add the vanilla and spices and mix once again.

4. 4

   Add the flour and baking powder and mix using a spatula.

5. 5

   Once the spatula isn't helping anymore, knead slightly with your hands.

6. 6

   Cover the dough and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.

7. 7

   Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it's 2-3mm thick.

8. 8

   Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes.

9. 9

   Use a thin metal spatula to lift out the cookies from the surface.

10. 10

    Place the cookies on a non-stick baking tray.

11. 11

    Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for 8-12 minutes or until slightly golden.

12. 12

    Let them cool down completely before decorating.

13. 13

    For the royal icing, place the egg whites in a bowl and add the icing sugar through a sieve.

14. 14

    Beat them until they come together, then adjust the texture.

15. 15

    If using royal icing option 2, add icing sugar and meringue powder to a bowl through a sieve.

16. 16

    Add water little by little until a paste forms.

17. 17

    To decorate, place royal icing in a piping bag fitted with a small nozzle.

18. 18

    Squeeze slowly to decorate the cookies.

19. 19

    Allow the icing to dry for 5-10 minutes before adding more details.