Get ready to transform your ordinary cookie baking into an extraordinary artistic experience! These Spring Brush Embroidery Cookies are not just a treat for your taste buds, but a stunning visual masterpiece that will make your friends and family think you've secretly trained as a professional pastry chef. With delicate, hand-painted designs that look like they've been lifted straight from a springtime watercolor painting, these cookies are about to become your new culinary obsession.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Royal icing
- Food coloring
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, and continue to beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough; it should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. This will help the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
- Once the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they will firm up as they cool.
- Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies are cooling, prepare the royal icing. In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, egg whites, and a few drops of lemon juice. Beat on low speed until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- If you want to color the icing, divide it into separate bowls and add food coloring to each bowl to achieve your desired shades. Mix well until the color is uniform.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, use piping bags or a small spatula to decorate the cookies with the colored royal icing, creating beautiful spring brush embroidery designs.
- Allow the icing to dry completely before serving or storing the cookies. This may take several hours, depending on the thickness of the icing.
- Enjoy your beautifully decorated Spring Brush Embroidery Cookies with family and friends!
Tips
- Chill Your Dough: Refrigerating the cookie dough is crucial for maintaining shape and preventing spreading during baking.
- Icing Consistency Matters: For brush embroidery, your royal icing should be slightly thick but still fluid enough to create delicate brush strokes.
- Use Quality Food Coloring: Gel food colors provide more vibrant and precise colors compared to liquid ones.
- Practice Piping Techniques: Start with simple designs and gradually build complexity as you gain confidence.
- Allow Ample Drying Time: Let each layer of icing dry completely to prevent colors from bleeding into each other.
- Use Fine-Tipped Brushes: Invest in small, soft-bristled brushes for creating intricate embroidery-like details.
- Work in a Cool, Dry Environment: High humidity can affect icing's drying and setting process.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 160kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
