Save to Pins Enchant your guests with these whimsical seashell-shaped sugar cookies, decorated in shimmering pastel colors&perfect for a magical mermaid-themed party.
I love making these cookies for themed parties because they always impress both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- Cookie Dough: 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter softened, 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Royal Icing & Decorations: 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar sifted, 1 1/2 tbsp meringue powder, 3 tbsp water (plus more as needed), Gel food coloring (pastel pink lavender turquoise teal), Edible pearl sprinkles, Edible shimmer dust (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a bowl whisk together flour baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Step 2:
- In a large mixing bowl beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy about 2 minutes.
- Step 3:
- Add egg and vanilla extract beat until combined.
- Step 4:
- Gradually add dry ingredients mixing just until incorporated.
- Step 5:
- Divide dough in half shape into discs wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 6:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 7:
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out seashell shapes using a seashell cookie cutter.
- Step 8:
- Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Step 9:
- Bake for 10 12 minutes until edges are just barely golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 10:
- For icing combine powdered sugar meringue powder and water in a bowl. Beat until stiff peaks form. Divide icing into bowls and tint with desired gel food colors.
- Step 11:
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing adding pearl sprinkles and shimmer dust for a magical effect. Allow icing to set before serving.
Save to Pins My family always gathers around the kitchen table to decorate these cookies together, making sweet memories.
Required Tools
Electric mixer Mixing bowls Rolling pin Seashell cookie cutter Baking sheets Parchment paper Piping bags and tips Cooling rack
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten) eggs and dairy (butter) May contain traces of nuts if ingredients are processed in shared facilities check labels if concerned.
Nutritional Information
Calories 140 Total Fat 6 g Carbohydrates 21 g Protein 1 g per cookie.
Save to Pins These seashell cookies offer a delightful blend of taste and artistry making them perfect for any celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What ingredients give these cookies their buttery texture?
The combination of unsalted butter and granulated sugar creamed together creates a tender, buttery dough that bakes into soft yet slightly crisp cookies.
- → How do I achieve the shimmering pastel colors on the decorations?
Use gel food coloring to tint royal icing in pastel shades, then dust the decorated cookies lightly with edible shimmer dust and add pearl sprinkles for sparkle.
- → Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps it firm up, making it easier to roll and cut into precise seashell shapes.
- → What is the best way to store these sweets to maintain freshness?
Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them fresh and preserve the decorations.
- → Are there any alternative flavors to enhance this sweetness?
Replacing half the vanilla extract with almond extract adds a subtle nutty depth, complementing the buttery flavor nicely.