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Perfect Ugly Sweater Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Neon Royal Icing Tutorial

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These festive sugar cookies feature a buttery, tender base decorated with bright neon royal icing, perfect for holiday parties and cookie swaps. The recipe is quick, easy, and fun for all skill levels.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons (30 g) meringue powder
  • ⅔ cup (160 ml) warm water
  • Neon gel food coloring (pink, green, orange, blue)
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) lemon juice

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Using a mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract until just combined.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture on low speed until just incorporated; avoid overmixing.
  5. Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Roll one dough disc on a lightly floured surface to ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Cut into ugly sweater shapes or rectangles.
  8. Place cookies 1 inch apart on baking sheets and bake 10-12 minutes until edges just start to turn golden.
  9. Cool cookies completely on wire racks before icing.
  10. For royal icing, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water in a bowl. Beat on high speed for 7-10 minutes until stiff peaks form.
  11. Divide icing into separate bowls and add neon gel colors to each.
  12. Fill piping bags with colored icing. Outline sweater shapes first, then flood inside with thinned icing. Use toothpicks to spread evenly and create neon effect.
  13. Let decorated cookies dry at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading. Use neon gel food coloring for bright, tacky icing. Let royal icing dry overnight for best hardness. If icing is too thick, add water a few drops at a time; if too thin, add powdered sugar gradually. Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze baked cookies without icing for longer storage and decorate after thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, ugly sweater cookies, neon royal icing, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, festive baking, easy sugar cookies, cookie decorating

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