Star-Shaped Sparkle Cookies Recipe: A Fun Addition to Your New Year’s Eve Celebration

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup blue sprinkles (or glitter)
• ½ cup red sprinkles (or glitter)

For the Royal Icing:

• 2 egg whites (or 1/4 cup meringue powder mixed with 1/4 cup water as a substitute)
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• Water (to adjust consistency)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Make the Cookie Dough
   In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until fully combined. You should have a soft, smooth dough.

3. Roll Out the Dough
   Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many stars as you can. Re-roll the dough scraps and continue cutting out stars.

4. Bake the Cookies
   Place the cookie shapes on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack.

Royal Icing Instructions

1. Prepare the Icing Base
   If you’re using egg whites, ensure they are at room temperature. In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until they become frothy. Add the powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and continue beating until the mixture is thick and glossy.

2. Adjust the Consistency
   Add the lemon juice (or vinegar) and vanilla extract (if using). Continue beating until stiff peaks form. If the icing is too thick, add small amounts of water, one teaspoon at a time, until you achieve a consistency that is smooth but still holds its shape when piped or spread on the cookies.

3. Color the Icing
   If you want to color the icing, divide it into separate bowls and add food coloring to each one. Mix well until the desired color is achieved.

4. Decorate the Cookies
   Once the cookies have cooled, use the royal icing to decorate them. You can spread the icing on the cookies and sprinkle the blue and red sprinkles to resemble fireworks. For a more dramatic effect, add edible glitter or colorful confetti sprinkles. Get creative with your decorating!