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Cute Apple Shaped Sugar Cookies for Teachers

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These adorable apple-shaped sugar cookies are perfect for teacher appreciation gifts, featuring a buttery vanilla dough and smooth royal icing for charming decoration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour (King Arthur works great for texture)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened (European-style butter adds richness)
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but adds subtle depth)
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water (safer alternative)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring in red, green, and brown (AmeriColor gel preferred)
  • Edible pearl dust or shimmer (optional)
  • Fine tip piping bags or squeeze bottles

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: Beat softened butter with granulated sugar on medium speed until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add eggs and flavor: Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (optional) until fully combined.
  4. Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing on low just until dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Chill dough: Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill at least 1 hour or overnight.
  6. Roll and cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll chilled dough on lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Use apple-shaped cutter to cut shapes and transfer to lined baking sheets.
  7. Bake: Bake cookies 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn light golden. Avoid overbaking.
  8. Cool: Let cookies cool completely on wire racks before icing.
  9. Prepare royal icing: Beat powdered sugar with egg whites or meringue powder and lemon juice until glossy and holds soft peaks. Divide and tint with gel colors: red for apples, green for leaves, brown for stems.
  10. Decorate: Outline each cookie in red icing, flood the center smoothly, then pipe small green leaves and brown stems. Let dry several hours or overnight.

Notes

Chill dough to prevent spreading and maintain shape. Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing without runniness. Let icing dry fully before stacking or handling. Practice piping on parchment paper if new to decorating. Dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple shaped sugar cookies, teacher gifts, homemade cookies, royal icing, school treats, easy sugar cookies

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/cute-apple-shaped-sugar-cookies-for-teachers-easy-homemade-recipe-for-school-gifts/