Description
A small-batch recipe for festive football-shaped sugar cookies with royal icing, scaled perfectly for two people to enjoy during game day without waste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 3–4 tablespoons warm water
- Brown and white food coloring gel
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolk and vanilla extract, beating on medium speed until combined.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until flour disappears.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Sift confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder into a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons warm water and beat on medium-high for 3-5 minutes until thick and glossy. Divide icing; color one portion brown.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut out football shapes using a cookie cutter and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft. Rotate sheets halfway through.
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Pipe white icing as a base coat onto cooled cookies. Let dry for 15-20 minutes.
- Pipe brown icing laces onto the white base. Use a toothpick to smooth mistakes.
- Allow icing to dry completely for 2-4 hours before serving.
Notes
Ensure butter is softened but not melted. Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender. Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading. Cool cookies completely before icing to prevent melting. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 2
Keywords: football cookies, sugar cookies, royal icing, game day treats, small batch baking, super bowl snacks, cookie recipe for two