Pisces Constellation Sugar Cookies (Print Version)

Sweet sugar cookies decorated with royal icing to depict the Pisces constellation in elegant detail.

# Components:

→ Sugar Cookies

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Royal Icing

08 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
09 - 2 tablespoons meringue powder
10 - 3 to 4 tablespoons water
11 - Gel food coloring in navy blue, white, gold, and silver

→ Decoration

12 - Edible gold or silver pearls for constellation stars
13 - Piping bags and fine tips

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Beat egg and pure vanilla extract into the butter mixture until fully combined and smooth.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
05 - Divide dough in half and flatten each portion into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out circles or desired shapes using cookie cutters.
08 - Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are just golden brown. Cool completely on wire racks.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 3 tablespoons water together until stiff peaks form. Add additional water gradually for a thinner consistency if needed.
10 - Divide icing into portions. Tint one portion navy blue for the night sky background. Reserve white icing for piping constellation details and stars.
11 - Frost cooled cookies with navy blue icing using a piping bag or spatula. Allow to set for 15 minutes until firm.
12 - Using white icing and a fine piping tip, pipe the Pisces constellation lines and dots to represent stars on the blue surface.
13 - While white icing is still wet, carefully place edible gold or silver pearls at star points and constellation intersections. Add additional gold or silver accents as desired.
14 - Allow all decorated cookies to dry completely at room temperature before serving or storing in an airtight container.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're beautiful enough to frame but delicious enough to actually eat, which means your guests get both the 'wow' and the flavor.
  • Once you nail the basic cookie, you can map any constellation you want, turning a single recipe into infinite possibilities for themed parties or personalized gifts.
  • The meditative act of piping tiny stars somehow unwound me in a way regular baking never did.
02 -
  • Room-temperature butter is non-negotiable; cold butter refuses to cream properly and you'll end up with a grainy dough that bakes dense instead of tender.
  • Sifted powdered sugar in royal icing isn't an aesthetic choice—unsifted sugar creates lumps that break up your piping lines and make your icing look grainy under close inspection.
  • Royal icing needs to be stiff enough to hold its shape but not so thick it refuses to come out of your piping bag; adding water gradually gives you control that adding it all at once never does.
03 -
  • Divide your icing into portions and tint them before you start decorating so you're not switching colors constantly; it saves time and keeps your cookies cleaner.
  • If your icing is too thick and refusing to pipe, add water literally one drop at a time while stirring, because it's almost impossible to thicken icing back up once you've made it too thin.
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