Star Cookies:

Cup of Yum
1. Combine the butter, egg, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer until it’s combined and creamy.
2. Sift or whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder and then blend it into the butter mixture.
3. Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
4. When you are ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line your baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out star shapes using a star-shape cookie cutter (I used the middle one from the set – 2.3 inches).
6. Bake the cookies for about 8-10 minutes.
7. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes in the baking tray before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Royal Icing:

1. In a large bowl of a stand mixer (or hand mixer) combine egg whites and lime juice and beat on high until frothy.
2. Add the powdered sugar in batches and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated and the mixture looks shiny.
3. Turn the speed up to high and mix till the mixture becomes thick and starts to hold peaks.
4. Divide the icing into two equal parts and tint one part with red gel food color. Keep the other part as it is (white).
5. Put both the icings in different icing bags.
6. Outline the cookies with the icing first, keeping a little space on the edges of the cookies. Then flood the cookies with the icing; use a toothpick to spread the icing so it’s evenly filled.
7. Sprinkle the sugar pearls on top of the cookies while the icing is still tacky. Allow to set.
8. If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!