Bridal Cookie Recipe

These were actually much easier to make than they appear. Most importantly, the bride LOVED them!

Ingredients for Sugar Cookies:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon of milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
   In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the butter and sugar and beat until smooth.
2. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla to the butter-sugar mixture and beat to combine. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. 
3. Divide the dough in half, wrap in wax paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours (the dough needs to be very cold in order not to stick to the cookie cutters or working surface).
4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle working surface and rolling pin with flour. Remove the wrapped dough from the refrigerator and roll out to 1/4-inch thick.
5. Using a wedding gown cookie cutter, cut into shape and place 1 inch apart on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies start to turn golden around the edges. 
6. Remove from the oven and let sit on a baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, move to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, ice cookies.

Royal Icing:

You can purchase pre-packaged Royal Icing at a cake supply store, or make your own!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of sifted powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons of meringue powder
• About 10 tablespoons of warm water

Directions:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the icing ingredients. Beat together for 8 minutes on a low speed. The consistency of the icing should be similar to toothpaste (soft but stiff enough to hold its shape).
2. Using a squeeze bottle filled with icing, trace around the edge of each cookie, then flood or fill in the inside of the cookie with icing, using the tip of the applicator or a toothpick to help spread it so that the surface is smooth and even. 
3. At this point, you can leave the cookie as is, or add fun details such as pearls or sprinkles. To add piping, wait until the icing on the cookie is dry, then add piping details such as a bow or ruffles to the dress. 
4. Serve the cookies or package them in clear cellophane bags tied with twine or ribbon to give as gifts or as part of the place setting.