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Perfect Graduation Sugar Cookies Recipe Easy Homemade Cap and Diploma Designs

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These sugar cookies are shaped like graduation caps and diplomas, perfect for celebrating milestones with a sweet, homemade touch. They balance soft and crisp textures and are decorated with royal icing for a festive look.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • For the Royal Icing:
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • About 6 tablespoons water, adjust for consistency
  • Gel food coloring (black for caps, white for diplomas, and accent colors for tassels and ribbons)

Instructions

  1. Soften the butter to room temperature (about 20 minutes on the counter). Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  2. Using your mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using) until fully incorporated and smooth.
  4. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture little by little. Mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
  5. Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  6. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Use graduation cap and diploma cutters to cut shapes.
  7. Transfer cookies with a spatula onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until edges just begin to turn golden.
  9. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
  10. Mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until stiff peaks form but icing is still pipeable. Divide and color as needed.
  11. Outline the caps in black icing, fill with a flooded layer, and pipe tassels with a contrasting color.
  12. For diplomas, pipe a white scroll and add a small colored ribbon. Let icing dry overnight for best results.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and keep shapes sharp. Use gel food coloring for best icing consistency. Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating cookies. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Let icing dry overnight for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cookies, sugar cookies, royal icing, homemade cookies, celebration treats, easy baking, cookie decorating

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/perfect-graduation-sugar-cookies-recipe-easy-homemade-cap-and-diploma-designs/