Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Recipe

The Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing is a festive classic that combines soft, buttery sugar cookies with a smooth, glossy icing that hardens perfectly for decorating. These cookies are a favorite for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions because they’re not only delicious but also fun to decorate with colorful designs.

Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Overview

Sugar cookies have been around for centuries, with origins traced back to Europe, but they’ve become a staple in American baking traditions. The Pioneer Woman’s version emphasizes simplicity, a soft yet sturdy cookie, and a royal icing that’s easy to pipe. The icing dries to a firm finish, making the cookies stackable and perfect for gifting.

Try Other Pioneer Woman Recipes

• Pioneer Woman Queso Dip
• Pioneer Woman Black Bean Burger
• Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese
• Pioneer Woman Chili Mac
• Pioneer Woman Macaroni Salad
• Pioneer Woman Enchilada Sauce

Why This Recipe is Worth Trying

• Perfect for decorating – holds shapes beautifully and works with icing.
• Fun for families – kids love cutting and decorating cookies.
• Make-ahead friendly – dough and icing can be prepared in advance.
• Customizable designs – ideal for holidays and themed events.
• Classic flavor – buttery, lightly sweet, and not overpowering.

Essential Ingredients for This Recipe

For the Sugar Cookies:

• All-purpose flour (3 cups)
• Baking powder (1 tsp)
• Salt (½ tsp)
• Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened)
• Granulated sugar (1 cup)
• Egg (1 large)
• Vanilla extract (2 tsp)

For the Royal Icing:

• Powdered sugar (4 cups, sifted)
• Egg whites (3 large, or use meringue powder as an alternative)
• Vanilla extract (½ tsp)
• Water (as needed to thin)
• Food coloring (optional, for decoration)

Useful Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters
• Baking sheets with parchment paper
• Piping bags and small tips for icing

Directions to Make Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing

Step 1: Make the cookie dough

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well. Slowly add the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Chill the dough

Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape.

Step 3: Cut the cookies

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and place on lined baking sheets.

Step 4: Bake

Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on wire racks before icing.

Step 5: Prepare the royal icing

Beat egg whites until frothy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk until stiff peaks form. Adjust consistency with water—thicker for outlining, thinner for flooding. Add food coloring if desired.

Step 6: Decorate

Use piping bags to outline and fill the cookies with icing. Allow cookies to dry at room temperature until the icing hardens completely (about 6–8 hours or overnight).

What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)

• Skipping chill time – caused cookies to spread; fixed by chilling the dough properly.
• Icing too runny – made a mess; fixed by adding more powdered sugar.
• Baking too long – resulted in crunchy cookies; fixed by pulling them out as the edges turned light golden.
• Not letting cookies cool – icing melted; fixed by waiting until cookies were fully cooled.

Healthier Ways to Make Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing

Swap some all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour, use less sugar in the dough, or opt for natural food colorings in the icing. You can also use plant-based butter or egg substitutes to make them dairy-free or vegan.

Ingredient Substitutions for Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing

• Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a different flavor.
• Replace butter with margarine or plant-based butter.
• Swap egg whites with meringue powder for a safer, egg-free icing.
• Try coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar for a subtle caramel taste.

Unexpected Ways to Enjoy These Sugar Cookies

• Holiday gifts – pack decorated cookies in tins.
• Party favors – wrap individually for birthdays or weddings.
• Dessert table highlight – create themed cookie designs.
• Kids’ activity – let children decorate with sprinkles and icing.
• Seasonal variations – cut into shapes for Christmas, Easter, or Halloween.

Best Tips for Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Success

• Always chill the dough – it prevents spreading.
• Use parchment paper – ensures even baking and easy cleanup.
• Keep icing covered – it dries quickly, so cover with plastic wrap when not in use.
• Pipe outlines first – helps control icing when filling.
• Dry completely – allow enough time for icing to harden before stacking.
• Don’t overmix dough – keeps cookies tender.

Tasty Twists on Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing

• Lemon twist – add lemon zest to the dough for brightness.
• Spiced version – mix in cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth.
• Chocolate version – substitute some flour with cocoa powder.
• Glazed cookies – use a simple powdered sugar glaze instead of royal icing.
• Sprinkle toppings – decorate with colorful sprinkles before icing dries.

Best Ways to Store Your Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing

• At room temperature – keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Freeze cookies undecorated – freeze baked cookies, then decorate later.
• Freeze decorated cookies – once icing hardens, store in layers with parchment.
• Keep away from moisture – humidity can soften the icing.

Ways to Warm It Up Again

Sugar cookies don’t require reheating, but you can gently warm undecorated cookies in a 250°F oven for a few minutes to refresh them. Decorated cookies should be enjoyed as is.

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving, 1 cookie)

• Calories: ~180
• Protein: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fat: 8g
• Fiber: <1g
• Sodium: 90mg

FAQs

Where do sugar cookies with royal icing come from?

Sugar cookies originated in Europe centuries ago, particularly in Germany and England, before becoming a staple in American baking. The Pioneer Woman’s recipe carries on this tradition by pairing buttery sugar cookies with royal icing, a decorating technique that has been popular since the 17th century.

How do you keep sugar cookies from spreading in the oven?

To keep sugar cookies from spreading, always chill the dough for at least one hour before rolling and baking. Using parchment paper and avoiding over-softened butter also helps the cookies hold their shape.

How do you get royal icing to harden on sugar cookies?

Royal icing hardens when it is left to dry at room temperature. After piping, let the decorated cookies sit uncovered for 6–8 hours, or overnight, until the surface is firm and glossy.

Can sugar cookies with royal icing be made ahead of time?

Yes, both the cookie dough and the royal icing can be made in advance. The dough can be refrigerated for 2–3 days or frozen for up to 3 months, while iced cookies can be stored once fully dried in airtight containers for a week.

Wrapping It Up

The Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing is a timeless treat that combines simplicity with creativity. From the buttery cookie base to the customizable royal icing, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to for every celebration. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea, these cookies bring joy to any occasion.

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