Arctic Chill Peppermint Cloud Cookies
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
1 cup 225g unsalted butter, softened
1 cup 200g granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups 340g all-purpose flour
teaspoon baking powder
teaspoon salt
For the Royal Icing:
4 cups 480g powdered sugar, sifted
3 tablespoons meringue powder
56 tablespoons water adjust as needed
Blue gel food coloring
White gel food coloring
Edible white pearls or nonpareils
Directions:
Make the Cookies:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Roll the dough to -inch thickness between two sheets of parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or freeze for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350F 175C. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Use a round or flower-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Transfer to prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely before decorating.
Prepare the Royal Icing:
In a stand mixer, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add 5 tablespoons of water and mix on low until combined.
Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3-5 minutes until stiff peaks form.
Divide the icing into two bowls:
Tint one portion with blue gel food coloring.
Leave the other portion white.
Thin both colors to flood consistency by adding water drop by drop until the icing flows smoothly but holds its shape when piped.
Decorate the Cookies:
Base Swirl Design:
Fill separate piping bags with blue and white icing. Use a round tip or cut a small opening in the bags.
Pipe alternating blue and white icing in a spiral pattern starting from the center of each cookie.
Create the Swirl Effect:
Use a scribe tool or toothpick to gently drag through the icing from the center outward to create a marbled, swirled design.
Let the icing set slightly for about 10-15 minutes.
Add Edible Pearls:
While the icing is still slightly wet, sprinkle edible white pearls or nonpareils evenly across the cookies for a frosty effect.
Dry Completely:
Allow the cookies to dry completely for at least 4-6 hours or overnight before handling.
Nutritional Information:
Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 1 hour Baking Time: 10 minutes Decorating Time: 1 hour Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Kcal: 160 kcal per cookie approx. Servings: 24 cookies
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