When he first asked me, he had already printed out the nifty little paper cutouts. Which is great, starwars.com, but seriously! This is going to be a mind warp! Cue the twilight zone music!

I told my son,

“I don’t know buddy, they look a bit difficult” there was a tone attached, a tone that said, ‘I do not want to do this!’

Of course this is just me putting up my NO SUGAR COOKIE MAKING defenses because folks I don’t want to even open the door to these cookies.

My son responds to me and says.

“Mom, you always say the best things come out of being uncomfortable”. In my head I am thinking..
First, did he really just say that?

Second, life lessons, what the hizzie!

Third, did he REALLY just say that?

Fourth, he did really say that! He does listen? Wow, he actually remembered!

Fifth, I have to make these dang cookies! I wanted to use another superlative there but I figure, let’s keep it classy.

Before I read his recipe I armed my arsenal. I researched sugar cookies, royal icing (yes there are different kinds), read different recipes and what components are necessary. Watched a video on how to ice and then my friends, I opened up the link to this recipe. Looked at what I needed and ordered a couple of things.

Now, I will make these cookies. I will share the results. I WILL DO MY BEST, in true YODA fashion.

No matter how they turn out, it is about the time we spent together. My son is one remarkable kid. If he was not upset with the eruption cake at age 5 he will understand some funny looking cookies.

Did I mention he wants to do this all on a school night!?

The results are in and I have to tell you, I have made these cookies two times now and they are delicious!! If you need a good base for sugar cookies this is it! The royal icing is simple and easy to work with. I added a bit more warm water to get the consistency I was looking for. I also used food writer bottles that really made the decorating much easier.

Now, these cookies can be made as ‘Bad Batch’ cookies or you can roll them out and cut out shapes of your choice and decorate them to your hearts content as you can see with the picture below.

Hera’s Pinch

Use ‘Sugar in the Raw’ instead of granulated sugar, it gives the sugar cookie a nice texture, not to mention nice look and base to work on. SMELL THE DOUGH!! It’s like inhaling cloudy vanilla yumminess.

Good Luck and let me know how it goes!!!

Click here for the ‘Bad Batch Cookies’ templates.

Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Yield: 5 large cookies or 12-15 smaller cookies

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 10 MinTotal time: 35 Min

Ingredients

Sugar Cookies and Royal Icing

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
1 teaspoon orange extract
For Icing
5 cups powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons meringue powder
10-11 Tablespoons warm water
Red food gel dye
Yellow food gel dye
Black food gel dye

Instructions

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
Stir the egg and vanilla, until just combined.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients just until the dough comes together.
Split the dough into two and wrap them in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until you are ready to use.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prep baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use the 'Bad Bactch' templates to cut out the shapes, then transfer them onto the prepped baking sheets.
Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, stir together the powdered sugar and the meringue powder. Slowly add the water until the icing is combined. To get the right consistency.
Divide the icing into separate bowls, using the food gel to color. You’ll need 1 cup light gray icing, ½ cup dark gray icing, ½ cup black icing, ¼ cup red icing, ¼ cup yellow icing, leaving the rest as white icing.
I used writer bottles for my royal icing, three 1oz bottles, and three 2oz bottles and refilled them from the bowls. You can also use a measuring cup.