Ingredients:

  • 225g Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 150g Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 300g All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Ground Ginger
  • ¼ tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • 3 Large Egg Whites
  • 450g Powdered Sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
  • Food Coloring (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  3. Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  4. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out star shapes with cookie cutters.
  5. Place cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden brown.
  6. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Stir in lemon juice.
  8. Divide icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring as desired.
  9. Transfer icing to piping bags fitted with small round tips. Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing. Let icing harden completely before serving.