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Flavorful Watermelon Slice Sugar Cookies Easy Homemade Recipe with Pink Royal Icing

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These watermelon slice-shaped sugar cookies are a fun, easy, and colorful twist on classic sugar cookies, topped with smooth pink royal icing and a hint of citrus for brightness.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5 tablespoons warm water
  • Few drops of red food coloring
  • Optional: a drop of vanilla extract
  • Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Add the egg, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the butter mixture. Beat until fully combined.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined.
  6. Gather the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  7. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the chilled dough to about ¼ inch (6mm) thickness.
  8. Use a watermelon-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
  10. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
  11. Prepare the royal icing: In a small bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add warm water a little at a time, stirring until smooth and pipeable. Add red food coloring drop by drop until desired pink is reached.
  12. Using a piping bag, outline each cookie with the pink royal icing, then flood the inside. Use a toothpick to spread icing evenly and pop air bubbles. Let icing set for about 10 minutes.
  13. Add mini chocolate chips or dots of black decorating gel to mimic watermelon seeds.
  14. Let the cookies dry completely, several hours or overnight, before storing or serving.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain shape. Use room temperature eggs and butter for smooth texture. Adjust royal icing consistency with water carefully. Let royal icing dry fully before stacking or storing. For dairy-free, substitute butter with almond or coconut oil. For gluten-free, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Gel food coloring can be used instead of liquid.

Nutrition

Keywords: watermelon slice cookies, sugar cookies, royal icing, summer cookies, lemon zest cookies, easy sugar cookies, colorful cookies, party cookies

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/flavorful-watermelon-slice-sugar-cookies-easy-homemade-recipe-with-pink-royal-icing/