Cast-Iron Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
I decided to try out a new sugar cookie recipe today, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. The cookies came out great after about 13 minutes in the oven—nice and soft but still held their shape. I used a cast-iron pan for these, which gave them such a cool look, especially for holiday cookies! I’m planning to use Royal Icing on them when I make a big batch for Christmas, but honestly, this recipe is pretty versatile. Here’s how I made them:
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (or swap 1 cup for wheat flour if you want a healthier option)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
How I Made Them
- Prep the Oven:
First things first, I preheated the oven to 350°F. If you’re using cast-iron molds like I did, make sure to grease them a little just in case. - Mixing the Dough:
I creamed together the softened butter and sugar until it was smooth. Then, I added the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each. After that, I added in the vanilla. - Adding the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, I whisked together the flour and salt, then slowly mixed it into the butter mixture until everything was combined. - Filling the Molds:
I pressed the dough into the cast-iron molds. You don’t have to worry too much about flattening it perfectly—I didn’t shave off any excess dough, just used my fingers to press it down. - Baking:
I baked them for about 16 minutes (though I checked them at 13 minutes because I wanted them a little softer). After pulling them out, I let them sit for about a minute, then turned the pan upside down onto a cooling rack. They popped right out! If they don’t, just leave the pan upside down for a few more minutes, and they’ll slide out. - Icing and Decorating:
Once they were completely cool, I poured a thin layer of royal icing on top. You can decorate however you like, but this icing really gave them a nice, shiny finish.
Easy Royal Icing Recipe
This is the Royal Icing recipe I’ll be using when I make these for Christmas. It’s super simple and sets beautifully.
Ingredients
- 2½ – 3 cups powdered sugar (unsifted)
- 2 egg whites
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
How I Made It
- Mix the Egg Whites:
I beat the egg whites with the lemon juice until they were combined. - Add the Sugar:
Then, I slowly added the powdered sugar (I didn’t even sift it) and mixed everything on low until it was smooth. - Adjust as Needed:
For a thinner icing that’s great for covering the whole cookie, use the smaller amount of sugar. If you need it thicker for outlining or writing, just add more sugar until it’s the consistency you want. - Store:
If you’re not using the icing right away, just keep it in an airtight container, and it’ll be good to go when you need it.
These Cast-Iron Sugar Cookies are definitely going to be part of my holiday baking this year. They’re fun to make, look great, and the royal icing really takes them up a notch. Whether you’re gifting them or enjoying them yourself, they’re sure to impress!
