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Perfect Red Velvet American Flag Sugar Cookies

red velvet american flag sugar cookies - featured image
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Festive red velvet sugar cookies decorated with royal icing to resemble the American flag, perfect for patriotic celebrations and summer parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons red gel food coloring
  • Royal icing ingredients for decoration:
  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons egg whites or meringue powder
  • 2–3 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
  • Blue gel food coloring (a few drops for the star section)

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes on medium speed.
  3. Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined and smooth.
  4. Incorporate red food coloring: Add red gel food coloring and mix until dough is uniformly vibrant red.
  5. Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Chill the dough: Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  8. Roll out dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut shapes using an American flag cookie cutter or rectangle cutter.
  9. Bake: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Cookies will firm as they cool.
  10. Cool: Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.
  11. Prepare royal icing: Beat powdered sugar with egg whites or meringue powder and water until stiff peaks form. Tint small portions blue for star section.
  12. Decorate: Pipe white stripes leaving space for blue star section in the top left corner. Pipe blue icing and add white star shapes. Let icing dry completely, a few hours or overnight.

Notes

Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading. Use gel food coloring to keep dough firm and vibrant. Practice piping royal icing for clean lines. Keep piping bags warm if icing is too stiff. Store cookies in airtight container up to 4 days or freeze un-iced dough up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet sugar cookies, American flag cookies, patriotic cookies, Fourth of July cookies, royal icing cookies, easy sugar cookies, festive cookies

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/perfect-red-velvet-american-flag-sugar-cookies-easy-patriotic-celebration-recipe/