Starry Night Sugar Cookies (Printable Version)

Soft vanilla cookies with swirled blue-black icing and edible star decorations for a stunning celestial treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Sugar Cookies

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, at room temperature
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ For the Icing

08 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
09 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
10 - 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Blue and black gel food coloring
13 - Edible gold or silver star sprinkles

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide dough in half, shape into flat discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using star or round cookie cutters.
08 - Place cut cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between each cookie.
09 - Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Add additional milk if needed to achieve thick but pourable consistency.
11 - Divide icing between two bowls. Tint one bowl with deep blue coloring, the other with black. Gently swirl the two colors together in a shallow dish to create a marbled pattern.
12 - Dip cooled cookies face-down into the marbled icing. Immediately sprinkle with edible star decorations while icing is still wet. Allow icing to set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The swirled galaxy icing looks impressively artistic but actually hides imperfections beautifully
  • These cookies stay soft for days thanks to the perfect butter-to-sugar ratio
  • They transport you to a whimsical midnight sky with every single bite
02 -
  • Over-chilled dough will crack when rolled, so let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes if needed
  • The icing consistency should flow back into itself within 10 seconds when a knife cuts through it
  • Work quickly once you start dipping because the marbled effect looks best when the colors are still fresh
03 -
  • Use a ruler to check dough thickness so all cookies bake evenly
  • Keep a small bowl of water nearby to thin the icing if it becomes too thick while working

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