Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

2 and 3/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cups cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 and 3/4 cups white sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder.

In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until you have a smooth dough.

Divide the dough in half and flatten each into a round disc shape. Wrap each half in plastic and refrigerate for approx. 1 hour, or until the dough is firm enough to roll.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in centre of oven. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Remove one half of the chilled dough from the refrigerator and roll out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut out desired shapes using a lightly floured cookie cutter and transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets. Place the sheets with the unbaked cookies in the refrigerator to chill for about 10-15 minutes before baking. This prevents the cookies from spreading and losing their shape while baking.

Bake cookies for about 10-12 minutes (depending on size) or until they are just firm around the edges. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cookies are completely cooled, frost and decorate as desired.

Royal Icing Recipe

Royal Icing Using Egg Whites Ingredients:

2 large pasteurized egg whites

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tsp. flavoured extract (vanilla, lemon, almond)

3 cups icing sugar, sifted

Directions: With a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with the lemon juice and extract until combined. Add the sifted icing sugar and beat on low speed until combined and smooth. Add food coloring if using. The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

Royal Icing Using Meringue Powder Ingredients:

4 cups icing sugar

3 Tbsp. meringue powder

1 tsp. flavoured extract (vanilla, lemon, almond)

1/2 - 3/4 cup warm water

Directions: With a hand mixer, beat the icing sugar and meringue powder until combined. Add the water and beat on medium to high speed until very glossy and stiff peaks form (5 to 7 minutes). If necessary, to get the right consistency, add more powdered sugar or water. Add food coloring if using. The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

*Recipe from Joy of Baking