Iced Holiday Sugar Cookies

(BlackDoctor.org) — Decorate this cookie in dozens of ways! Cut into stars, snowmen, snowflakes, or other festive shapes. Then, top with icing and sprinkles for the perfect holiday treat.

Substituting white whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour preserves the sweet and delicate flavor and look of traditional sugar cookies while boosting fiber. And there’s another bonus: royal icing contains no butter and can be piped or spread as the foundation for your favorite adornments (like dragées, colored sugars, and nonpareils). Just be sure to work quickly, since the icing dries to a hard finish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Servings: Makes 48 cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:
2 C white whole wheat flour (such as King Arthur)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 C (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 C sugar
1 lg egg
2 tbsp 2 percent milk
1/2 tsp lemon extract

Icing:
1/3 C pasteurized egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
4 C confectioners’ sugar

Directions

Cookies:

1. Whisk together first four ingredients in medium bowl.

2. Place butter and sugar in large bowl and, using electric mixer, beat until mixture is light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in egg, followed by milk and lemon extract. Add flour mixture and blend until just mixed. Form dough into a disk, wrap tightly in wax paper, and chill at least 1 hour.