Can I use store-bought icing?

You can, especially if you're in a pinch. But for best results, especially for intricate detail and firmness, royal icing made with meringue powder is ideal.

Do I have to use meringue powder?

Yes if you want your royal icing to dry hard and shiny. Meringue powder also helps the icing hold its shape without separating.

How long do decorated cookies last?

Once the icing is fully dry, they'll stay soft and fresh for about 5 days at room temperature, or up to 10 days in the fridge.

How do I make the icing red without it turning pink?

Use a concentrated gel food coloring labeled "super red," and let it sit for 10–15 minutes the color deepens as it rests.

Fireworks Celebration Cookies: 4th of July Sugar Cookies

Recipe by Liliya

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Total Time42 minutes
Yield30 cookie 1x
DietVegetarian

Soft, buttery sugar cookies infused with lemon and vanilla, decorated like fireworks with royal icing and sprinkles. Perfect for 4th of July fun!

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies:

2¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
1 large egg (room temp)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Optional: 2 teaspoons lemon zest

Royal Icing:

4 cups (480g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
3 Tbsp meringue powder
9-10 Tbsp water (room temp)
Gel food coloring (red, blue, white, etc.)
Optional: sanding sugar, star sprinkles

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Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy (about 2 minutes).
Add egg, vanilla, lemon extract, and optional zest. Beat until combined.
Add dry ingredients and mix on low until a soft dough forms.
Divide dough in half and roll each to ¼-inch thickness on parchment.
Stack rolled dough sheets with parchment in between, cover, and chill for at least 1–2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Cut dough into firework or star shapes.
Place cookies 3 inches apart on lined baking sheets. Bake 11–12 minutes.
Cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.
For royal icing: Beat sugar, meringue powder, and 9–10 Tbsp water on high for 1.5–2 minutes until icing drizzles and smooths in 5–10 seconds.
Divide icing into bowls, tint with gel colors, and transfer to piping bags with fine tips.
Pipe curved lines from center outward. Dip into sprinkles if desired.
Let cookies dry for 2 hours before stacking, gifting, or packing.

Notes

Chill dough for clean shapes and no spreading.
Decorated cookies keep 5 days at room temp or 10 days in fridge.
Freeze dough or baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Royal icing can be made ahead and refrigerated (cover tightly).
For gifting, layer cookies with parchment in a tin and cushion with bubble wrap.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 130 kcal
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 55mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Find it online: https://wearerecipes.com/fireworks-celebration-cookies/