Baseball Cookies With Royal Icing Food

SUGAR COOKIES WITH ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Sift the cake flour, baking powder and salt onto a piece of parchment paper or into a medium bowl; set aside. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture in 2 batches until just incorporated. Divide between 2 pieces of plastic wrap; shape into disks. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. (The dough can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.)
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out the dough on a floured surface, dusting with flour as needed, until about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes with 2-to-4-inch cookie cutters; arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. (If the dough becomes too soft as you work, return to the refrigerator until firm.) Gather the scraps and refrigerate until firm; reroll once to cut out more cookies. Chill the cutouts 30 minutes.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are slightly puffed and just golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely before icing.
• Whisk one 1-pound box confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons meringue powder in a large bowl. Add 5 tablespoons water and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft glossy peaks form, adding up to 1 more tablespoon water if necessary. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel and plastic wrap until ready to use to prevent the icing from drying out.

BASEBALL COOKIES WITH ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Stir flour and baking powder together in a bowl.
• Beat butter and white sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract; beat 1 minute more. Slowly add flour mixture and blend until dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
• Turn dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Knead dough a few times using your hands and form into 2 discs. Wrap each dough disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat.
• Remove 1 disc of dough from the refrigerator. Place dough on a lightly floured work surface; top with a piece of parchment paper. Roll out dough to about 1/3-inch thickness. Cut dough with round cookie cutters and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
• Place baking sheet with cookies on it in the freezer or refrigerator for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are just barely beginning to turn golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 1 minute; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with second disc of dough.
• Wipe down all equipment for making the icing with vinegar, including spatulas, measuring cups, and bowls.
• Combine confectioners' sugar and meringue powder in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment.
• Mix water, corn syrup, and clear vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Pour water mixture into sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until stiff peaks form in the icing, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Decorate cooled cookies with icing.

EASY ICED HOMERUN COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, stir together cookie mix, butter and egg until dough forms a ball.
• On floured surface with rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with round cookie cutter; place rounds about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• In bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat water and meringue powder until foamy. Add powdered sugar, corn syrup and lemon extract; mix on low speed until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Increase speed to medium-low; beat 5 minutes. Increase speed again to medium-high; beat until mixture forms stiff peaks. Transfer Royal Icing to airtight container.
• Transfer 1 cup icing to bowl; stir in white food color until bright white. Spoon into decorating bag fitted with small round tip. Pipe outline on outer edge of each cookie. Let icing set 1 hour.
• Transfer another portion of icing to bowl; stir in white food color until bright white. Stir in water, a small amount at a time (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon), until well blended. Continue to stir in water until icing falls back into itself. Spoon thinned icing into decorating bag fitted with small round tip. Fill center of each cookie with icing. Use knife or toothpick to bring icing to edges. Let cookies set 6 hours or overnight.
• Transfer 1 cup icing to bowl; stir in red food color. Spoon icing into decorating bag fitted with small round tip. Pipe baseball details on cookies. Let icing set until completely dry.