# What You Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Royal Icing & Decorations
08 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
09 - 1 1/2 tablespoons meringue powder
10 - 3 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
11 - Gel food coloring (pastel pink, lavender, turquoise, teal)
12 - Edible pearl sprinkles
13 - Edible shimmer dust, optional
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
02 - Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
03 - Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and beat until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until incorporated to avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
06 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness and cut shapes using a seashell cookie cutter.
08 - Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
09 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden; then cool completely on wire racks.
10 - In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water; beat until stiff peaks form. Divide into bowls and tint with gel food colors.
11 - Pipe the royal icing onto cooled cookies, embellish with pearl sprinkles and shimmer dust as desired, and allow the icing to set before serving.
